While tracking orders on AliExpress, buyers sometimes see the status «Customs duties payment requested». Because the platform does not provide a clear explanation for this status, it is often perceived as a problem — a delivery delay, a system error, or a demand to pay something immediately.
In reality, this is a standard stage of customs clearance for international shipments after they arrive in the destination country. The appearance of this status by itself does not indicate any issue with the order.
In this article, we explain what this status actually means, how it affects delivery, and what the recipient should do if customs duties are charged.
What does the status «Customs duties payment requested» mean
The status «Customs duties payment requested» means that the shipment is undergoing customs clearance and is being assessed for taxation purposes. At this stage, customs authorities review the contents of the parcel and verify whether the value declared by the seller complies with applicable customs rules.
In practice, customs authorities determine whether the shipment is subject to customs duties and, if so, in what amount. This is a standard procedure for international shipments when there are grounds for additional review.
Why this status appears
The status «Customs duties payment requested» appears when customs authorities determine that the shipment falls under the duty assessment procedure. This means the parcel cannot be released until the customs review is completed.
Most commonly, this status appears when:
- the declared or assessed value of the goods exceeds the duty-free threshold;
- customs authorities have grounds to adjust the declared value;
- the shipment is classified as one that requires customs duties to be applied.
This status indicates the start of the customs duty assessment process and does not mean immediate or unconditional payment.
When customs duties and taxes are charged
Customs duties and taxes are applied according to the rules of the destination country. Each country has its own duty-free thresholds, tax rates, and calculation methods, which are defined by local customs regulations.
In general, if the declared value of a shipment exceeds the duty-free limit set by the destination country, customs duties and taxes may be charged. These charges are typically calculated only on the portion of the value that exceeds the allowed threshold, not on the full value of the parcel.
Customs duties and taxes are assessed based on local regulations, which vary from country to country.
Do you need to take any action after this status appears
After the status «Customs duties payment requested» appears, no action is required through the AliExpress account. The platform does not participate in customs clearance and is not used to collect customs payments — it only displays key checkpoints in the shipment’s journey.
In most cases, customs clearance is completed without the recipient’s involvement. In some situations, customs authorities may request proof of value or additional documentation, but such requests are not sent through AliExpress and do not appear in the user account.
The progress of customs clearance can usually be tracked through the official customs portal of the destination country.
What this status means for delivery
After the status «Customs duties payment requested» appears, the parcel remains at the customs clearance stage. Further domestic delivery may be temporarily paused, typically for 1-2 business days, until the duty assessment process is completed and a final decision is made.
Once customs clearance is finished, the shipment continues through the standard postal delivery process. At the delivery stage, the recipient can pay the assessed duties and receive the parcel.
If the recipient disagrees with the duty assessment or the calculated amount, there is usually a procedure to request a review. This involves submitting a request along with proof of the actual purchase value, after which customs authorities reassess the charges. In practice, with valid documentation, duties may be reduced or canceled.
In summary, this status does not mean that the parcel is blocked or that there is a delivery problem. It simply reflects a standard stage of customs clearance, after which the recipient can either complete payment or use the available mechanisms to challenge an incorrect assessment.
