Nothing’s more frustrating than watching a shipment sit in customs while you refresh the tracking page every hour. The truth is, most international shipping delays aren’t bad luck — they’re avoidable mistakes made before the package ever left the sender’s hands.

If you ship internationally, whether occasionally or every week, understanding what causes international shipping delays can save you days, and sometimes your customer relationship.

Why International Shipping Delays Happen

International shipments pass through more checkpoints than domestic ones: customs clearance, documentation review, and destination-country regulations. Each checkpoint is a place where a shipment can get held. Because of that, small errors early in the process tend to snowball into bigger delays later.

Here are the five biggest culprits — and how to avoid each one.

1. Missing or Incomplete Documentation

This is, by far, the most common cause of international shipping delays. A missing commercial invoice, an incomplete packing list, or a customs declaration filled out incorrectly can hold a shipment for days while customs officials sort out the paperwork.

The fix: Confirm exactly what documents your shipment type requires before you book. Businesses shipping commercially will also need a valid IEC (Import Export Code) — this isn’t something to sort out at the last minute, since it can take time to process.

2. Vague or Incorrect Item Descriptions

Writing “miscellaneous goods” or “gift items” on a customs form doesn’t speed things up — it does the opposite. Vague descriptions are a signal to customs officers that something needs a closer look, which almost always means manual inspection and delay.

The fix: Describe items specifically, including quantity, material, and purpose. Specific, accurate descriptions move through customs faster because there’s nothing left to question.

3. Not Checking Restricted or Prohibited Items

Every country maintains its own list of restricted or banned imports. Something that ships without issue domestically — certain electronics, food products, or chemical-based items — might be flagged, held, or outright rejected at the destination border.

The fix: Check the destination country’s import restrictions before you pack, not after the shipment is already in transit.

4. Inaccurate Weight or Dimensions

When declared weight or size doesn’t match the actual package, shipments often get held or re-routed for verification. It also throws off cost calculations, which can trigger a payment hold until the discrepancy is resolved.

The fix: Weigh and measure your package accurately before booking. Estimating “close enough” is one of the easiest ways to add unplanned days to a shipment.

5. Choosing the Wrong Shipping Method for Your Timeline

Not every shipment needs air freight, and not every shipment can afford the longer transit time of sea freight. Choosing the wrong method for your actual deadline is one of the most avoidable causes of international shipping delays, because it’s a decision made upfront.

The fix: Match the shipping method to your real deadline, and talk to your courier partner about what’s realistic before committing to a service level.

How Franch Express Helps You Avoid These Delays

At Franch Express, our team reviews your documentation and shipment details before booking — not after something goes wrong at customs. That means:

• Document checks upfront, so nothing’s missing when it matters
• Guidance on restricted items specific to your destination country
• Recommendations on the right shipping method for your timeline

Since these checks happen before your parcel ships, most of the delays above never get a chance to happen in the first place.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common cause of international shipping delays? Missing or incomplete documentation — particularly commercial invoices, packing lists, and customs declarations — causes the majority of delays at customs checkpoints.

How long do international shipments typically take? Transit time depends on the shipping method and destination, ranging from a few days for air freight to several weeks for sea freight. Confirming your document checklist beforehand helps prevent surprise delays.

Can incorrect item descriptions really delay a shipment? Yes. Vague or inaccurate descriptions on customs forms frequently trigger manual inspections, which can add days to delivery time.

Do I need an IEC to ship internationally? If you’re shipping commercially on a regular basis, yes — an Import Export Code is typically required. Occasional personal shipments usually don’t need one, but requirements vary by shipment type.

Ship Without the Guesswork

International shipping delays are frustrating, but almost all of them are preventable with the right preparation. If you’d rather not manage the documentation checklist yourself, our team can handle that part for you.

Explore our international courier services, check what to ship domestically instead, or request a quote to get started.