Hey everyone, my first time using Aliexpress.
I ordered an Anbernic RG35XX Mini Retro Handheld Game Console
I just got an email saying - Failed to clear import customs. After I checked the shipping / tracking etc the item was leaving departure country on the 1/12/23 02:22 GMT+8 and failed to clear customs on the 2/12/23 18:34 GMT+8
Seems it all happened really quickly and I’m a little suspicious on this.
Anyone able to shed some light?
Thanks
No I’m just concerned as this is my first time and I’ve heard a few bad things about Aliexpress
What you are describing is not an Aliexpress thing, it's a customs thing
had that with my Aliexpress orders. It clears in a few days.
Yes and AliExpress will definitely give you a refund if not delivered within their time frame
I've had something from aliexpress say the same thing on tracking, but then I still received it a few days later.
Ok thanks
Just weird it would get stoped at customs
That's literally their job…..
True but I’m wondering for what reason
@Twisty: they scan and if it needs further inspection that causes the delay…after theyve inspected and it clears then the delivery process resumes.
can happen at either end….there or here
If it's stuck in customs 1 day after postage then it is still stuck in China. If it does turn up by the due date you can just put for a refund. Depending on the item I have noticed Australian customs like to steal things from time to time.
what have you had nicked?
don't conflate seizure with theft.
"slingshots are legal where I live but just that 'particular' type wasn't"
you tried to import something that was illegal, and it was seized
"And then they stole a laser pointer"
If the power was greater than 1mw, you tried to import something that was illegal, and it was seized
@EightImmortals: If you get a fine for speeding or not wearing a seatbelt is that also considered stealing?
You lucked out. What normally happens next is that the item is returned to the seller and then you raise a dispute and lastly AliExpress issues an automatic refund.
Failing to clear customs hardly ever happens (maybe 1 in 100 parcels).
When it happened to me, it was for an item that was way cheaper than normal and limited stock. Dunno if the seller has a way of cheating the system this way.
What normally happens next is that the item is returned to the seller and then you raise a dispute and lastly AliExpress issues an automatic refund.
When it's a Choice product there's an extra step to take before the dispute. You go into the order details and claim the late delivery coupon.
Well it's Christmas time and customs officers want some Christmas presents for themselves.
Would emailing them the item listing and receipt expedite the clearing process?
Hmmm… Ironically my order which was coming in on that same day was also stopped but it was cleared a few hours later. I did not get an email.
It looks like our stuff was in the same batch. I know mine probably got stopped because it looked like some random pills.
I ordered a large combined order with many items including some "Plastic Roller Blinds Pull Cord Connector Curtain Chain Connector For Vertical Blinds Joiners Spare Tool Replacement" to replace some old ones that are breaking off or have come off.
I wonder if my order ended up flagging your one because mine got let through, but yours they probably saw it was potentially copyright related and confiscated it. Aliexpress usually combines and sends packages in bulk to be re-separated once they hit Australia.
Basically my one states customs failed, but then clearance started and completed again a few hours later. Does your one have this? Mine is set to be delivered next week.
Mine still says customs failed
Maybe tomorrow it will update
My guess is that these are more likely to get held up due to having a battery.
noticed this morning that a package of mine form Aliexpress got the same flag on 1/12….googled around, could either be a Xmas customs crackdown/random sampling or missing info on package from seller - i messaged them and told them to sort it out.
she'll be right mate
FYI mine was just cleared after 2 days
could just be delayed, stopped for deeper inspection - or it could be because these consoles come with pirated ROMs and they've decided to look into it.
deeper inspection
I can just picture a bunch of customs officers playing the handheld game console and seeing who can get the highest score.
Use this site to track, it will give you more of a picture of what’s going on https://m.17track.net/en/track
Mine was also stuck, i have 8 packages coming thanks to all those 11 and Black Friday deals and most gave these messages.
Thanks, I get this as the latest update
Brisbane, Abnormal Customs Clearance
That works
I got Sydney Abnormal Clearance… but then later entries then saying the flight has arrived at Sydney, so it might be a glitch with the forward lodgement of customs docs, i dont think its anything to be concerned over
Ok thanks
Once again it’s my first time with Aliexpress and I’ve only ever heard bad things about them
Thanks!
Happens often.
Got the same yesterday for the same game console. Not concerned at this stage.
Was the message an official one from Australia Customs or is it Aliexpress message?
Aliexpress email
Happened to a few of mine recently. First one resolved after a couple days and tracked/delivered as normal. The other one spent a week in that status before suddenly moving to out for delivery, and arrived today.
Bit odd that this has only started recently but it's just as likely to be a tracking bug as anything else.
Thanks
Same message for same item as well for me. Just got the Failed to clear at import customs email this morning.
Same here. I got:
"Clearing Customs
Failed to clear at import customs"
On the 1st, coming from AliExpress.
Got this also on 29/11. Never happened before
Mines still not updated
One of mine didn't update but was actually delivered about an hour after I posted this.
Still have one more that's stuck on failed to clear 😣
Her mine too
Still says stuck in failed to clear customs but received it yesterday
I also purchased few packages on black Friday. They are being delivered to Perth. One package a pc part has gone through the customs but a mini pc says Failed to clear at import customs.
I purchased many pc products from Aliexpress and never had this. Hopefully it won't add a big delay as it is a Christmas present.
only time i had a customs delay was ordering:
https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005005612385560.html?spm=a2g…
note to self: dont buy sharp pointy things
My console grip case also failed.
All good now.
The reason why I think you get 'failed to clear at import customs' from online overseas dropshipping sites is because the GST (Extortion) payment has not cleared yet, companies like AliExpress may only pay every week so you get the failed to clear message show up for a day or two if your item arrives at customs to quickly. Once payment clears your item resumes customs clearance. ;)
I’ve ordered a lot of stuff from AliExpress and I just got this Failed to clear at import status for the very first time. I used the 17track link provided by one of the comments here and it worked really well, there are a lot more details about the shipment. I ordered a mini blender and it failed to clear at the Melbourne customs. Then it was retuned to Hong Kong international airport and they tried to go through Melbourne customs the second time, and it was cleared. It’s now cleared in Melbourne even though it shows that error status on the AliExpress app.
TL;DR use 17track if you are worried and want to know what’s going on.
I’ve noticed Aus customs seems to either be closet xenophobic or are genuinely instructed to screen shipments from Chinese e-commerce store more.
I just have my personal experience to go off of:
Amazon never have custom issues or messages. Have purchased questionable items on Amazon including anti-spying hardware etc…. Pretty much anything from Amazon UK/US are treated like your local postage…
On Aliexpress I order a costume! A freakin’ costume with no electronics; food or high value (literally ~30 AUD) & it gets holed up @ Aus customs & after ~ 6 days finally get a cleared customs message…
As someone that likes to make that money stretch & Aliexpress will always be better bang off buck for exact same items on Amazon (probably same manufacturers but different vendors), I’m shocked this isn’t a wider issue others notice.
Give it a few days…… It's the weekend…. Impatient much?