FedEx “Customer Has Requested Non-express Clearance” – Meaning?

You’re expecting an overseas delivery from FedEx and you have received a “Customer Has Requested Non-express Clearance” tracking update.

What does this mean exactly? Is the shipment having problems at clearance and is there anything you need to do?

Let’s take a look…

Customer Has Requested Non-express Clearance – Guide

There are actually conflicting experiences from FedEx customers that have received this update.

Let’s look into the most common cause of the “Customer Has Requested Non-express Clearance” alert, first.

Essentially, an international package that passes through customs and encounters an issue will trigger a “Clearance Delay” update.

The “Customer Has Requested Non-express Clearance” is an extension of this, which generally means import taxes and/or duties are owed on the shipment.

Until these are paid, the item/s will be held at customs.

It also means that you should expect further details from the FedEx international brokerage arm (or the import/export broker involved with the clearance process), stating the specifics of what is owed.

However, the fact you have reached this page in search of an answer to the “Customer Has Requested Non-express Clearance” problem, means you may not have received this information.

If this is the case, you will need to contact FedEx directly, (or the broker if you have details of the company responsible).

The amount owed will be depended on the value of the shipment contents, as well as the destination country of the package.

Furthermore, it is the recipient that will need to pay these taxes and duties. Even if the fees seem disproportionately high, from the perspective of FedEx, the recipient should be aware of such charges when accepting the shipment.

You will also have the option to refuse the shipment and for FedEx to destroy the package or return it to the sender.

To Confuse the Matter….

In a minority of instances, the “Customer Has Requested Non-express Clearance” update does not lead to the payment of taxes and duties. This is normally signified by the extra line: “No action required at this time.”

When FedEx customers received this tracking update they reported receiving the package as normal, albeit with a slight delay as it is processed through customs.

Other examples of the update being sent and no taxes being owed are where additional information is required by the importer, (i.e the recipient). Again, this scenario is signified by information accompanying the alert, (see screenshot below).

To find out what the update means in your specific case, or what additional information is required, you will need to contact FedEx. (Or wait several days to see if the shipment starts moving again).

What Happens After The “Customer Has Requested Non-express Clearance” Update?

Naturally, what happens next all depends on the root cause of the “Clearance Delay”. If charges are owed, and these are promptly paid, the package will be released by customs, handed back to FedEx and final delivery will commence.

Likewise, if the reason for the delay is that the shipment had to undergo further inspection, assuming clearance is granted, FedEx will once again have your package and it will begin moving toward final delivery.

• Related Content: International Shipment Release Import – FedEx Tracking Guide

Final Words

Unfortunately, the “Customer Has Requested Non-express Clearance” update is triggered due to a clearance delay of sorts.

Very often, taxes and duties will be owed. However, the fact this is not always the case means you should contact FedEx for clarification of the issue and then proceed accordingly.

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