If your 20ft or 40ft container is stuck at a port in the Philippines, you are not alone. Every week, thousands of containers are held at Manila, Subic, Batangas and Clark because something in the customs clearance process triggered a red flag.
What most importers do not realize is that containers are rarely delayed because of bad luck. They are delayed because the customs declaration, valuation or documentation does not match what Philippine Customs expects to see.
Understanding why this happens is the first step to getting your cargo released.
The real reason containers are placed on hold during customs clearance in the Philippines
When a container arrives at a Philippine port, it is automatically screened by the Bureau of Customs risk management system. This system compares the declared information with historical data, product profiles and importer records.
If something looks unusual, the container is flagged for inspection.
This can happen when:
The HS code does not match the cargo description
The declared value looks too low for the type of goods
The shipment contains mixed cargo
The importer is new or has no clearance history
Product permits are missing or unclear
For shipments involving machinery, construction materials or general merchandise, these issues are very common. These cargo types are often misclassified or undervalued, even unintentionally.
Once a container is flagged, it enters a completely different clearance track, which is why delays become longer and more expensive.
Why HS code and cargo description errors cause most container delays
In custom brokerage Philippines, HS code accuracy is one of the most important parts of the entire customs clearance process.
Every product in your container must be classified under the correct HS code. This code tells Customs what the product is, how risky it is, and how much tax should be paid.
If a 40ft container contains machinery, spare parts and general cargo, it becomes more complex to declare. Each category may fall under different tariff lines. When Customs sees a simplified or generic declaration for a mixed container, they often assume something is wrong and order a physical inspection.
This is one of the most common reasons containers get stuck in Philippine customs, especially for FCL shipments.
How customs valuation triggers holds and re-assessment
Another major cause of delay is customs valuation. Philippine Customs compares your declared invoice value against reference pricing. If your declared value is significantly lower than what Customs expects, they may reject the declaration and issue a re-assessment.
When this happens, your container is placed on hold while Customs reviews the pricing. This can add days or even weeks to the clearance process and often leads to higher taxes and penalties.
This is why experienced importers rely on professional customs brokers who understand how valuation works in the Philippines.
If your container is already delayed at a Philippine port
The worst thing you can do is wait and hope the issue resolves itself. Every day a container stays at the port increases storage and demurrage costs.
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