Help! DHL shipment held by Manila Customs for physical inspection
Hi everyone! I’m hoping someone with experience with DHL/Manila Customs can help me understand what’s happening with my shipment.
The package was shipped from Manila, Philippines to North Carolina, USA through DHL Express. The tracking originally showed that everything was moving normally, but now the shipment is showing “Shipment is on hold.”
Sender contacted DHL, and they told me that the shipment was intercepted by Manila Customs during an X-ray examination and is now in line for a physical inspection by Customs.
DHL also told her:
● They currently don’t need any additional paperwork from the shipper or consignee.
● They cannot provide a timeframe for the inspection.
● Customs will ultimately decide whether to release the shipment, return it to the shipper, or confiscate it.
● They said the process could potentially take 15–30 days, depending on Manila Customs.
The DHL tracking page still shows an estimated delivery date of August 17, 2026 by end of day, but I’m assuming that may change because of the Customs hold.
Has anyone experienced this before? How long did your shipment stay with Manila Customs for physical inspection, and what happened afterward
Any advice or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!