Case Study: UPS Customs Clearance for India-to-USA in 2025

(HYDERABAD) A 27‑kilogram UPS shipment of Indian household goods bound for the United States 🇺🇸 was held at a Louisville, Kentucky gateway after customs flagged an “invalid/inadequate description on the commercial invoice,” spotlighting tighter U.S. scrutiny in 2025 and the growing need for precise documentation.

The hold, triggered five days after dispatch from Hyderabad, ended only after the shipper and recipient uploaded detailed item descriptions, accurate tariff codes, and source details through the UPS online clearance portal. No extra duties were assessed, but the case shows how vague descriptions now delay delivery and can expose senders to penalties under stepped‑up enforcement.

What was in the package and why it stalled

The package—typical of many family shipments between India and the U.S.—included traditional snacks and pickles, homemade food, kitchen utensils, clothing, and decorative items. Customs officials said generic terms like “household items” or “snacks” weren’t enough to determine classification and duty rates.

UPS asked for:

• Precise product names
• Manufacturer and origin details
• Harmonized codes (HS codes)
• Exact quantities and weights for each line item

Only after that documentation reached U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) did the agency clear the goods for delivery.

Broader trend: tighter checks on mixed personal shipments

Analysis by VisaVerge.com indicates a broader 2024–2025 shift: CBP has increased attention on mixed personal shipments that contain food, spices, and stainless steel kitchenware. These categories raise classification and, at times, food‑safety questions if paperwork is thin.

UPS has responded by upgrading its portal to collect more granular data before and during transit, tightening intake for India‑to‑U.S. routes that often include diverse contents from multiple sources.

“Accurate, item‑specific descriptions and correct tariff codes speed up processing and reduce holds.”
— CBP guidance (see U.S. Customs and Border Protection for current compliance info)

How the Louisville hold was resolved

UPS notified the recipient that the shipment was on hold at the Customs Entry Port in Louisville because the commercial invoice used ambiguous descriptions that prevented proper tariff classification.

The company requested enhanced product details and itemized data via its digital portal. The revised invoice listed 21 distinct items with weights and values, including:

• 7.5 kg of traditional sweets and snacks
• 9 kg of pickles and condiments
• 3 kg of spices and seasonings (sourced in Hyderabad and nearby markets)
• Non‑food goods: decorative religious idol, stainless steel utensils, clothing, plastic storage containers

Officials asked for harmonized classifications. The shipper supplied codes commonly used in such cases, including:

• 19059030 — sugar confectionery products
• 21069099 — other food preparations
• 21039090 — sauces and condiments
• 09042219 — chili‑based spices
• 73239390 — stainless steel household articles
• 62114290 — textile products
• 39249090 — plastic household items

UPS routed the new documents to CBP electronically. After review, the package was released without additional customs duties because most items were valued under $100 and the shipment was clearly for personal use, not resale. This aligns with the de minimis practice for many low‑value personal imports, although CBP has tightened checks on undervaluation and incorrect coding.

Case summary and clearance steps

• Shipment: 27 kg, sent via standard UPS international service from Hyderabad to the U.S.
• Contents: Traditional sweets and snacks (7.5 kg), pickles/condiments (9 kg), spices (3 kg), decorative idol, stainless steel kitchenware, clothing, plastic storage items.
• Problem: “Invalid/inadequate description on the commercial invoice”, preventing classification at the Louisville gateway.
• UPS request: Detailed product descriptions, manufacturer and origin, HS codes, line‑item quantities and weights, itemized invoice.
• Fix: Sender and recipient uploaded an enhanced invoice through the UPS customs portal; customs reviewed and released the package.
• Outcome: Delivery proceeded with no extra duty because values were low and documentation satisfied CBP.

Why these holds are becoming more common

Industry specialists cite several reasons:

• Mixed personal consignments often blend homemade, locally purchased, and commercially manufactured goods, complicating classification if the invoice is vague.
• Food items—especially pickles, condiments, and spice blends—trigger closer review for safety, labeling, and origin.
• Personal shippers may omit manufacturer details or exact weights by line item, which CBP increasingly expects.

UPS advises India‑based customers that upfront detail reduces risk. In the Hyderabad case, the portal required line‑by‑line entries such as:

• Product description (e.g., “mango pickle, homemade, 500 g, glass jar”)
• Manufacturer or maker (home kitchen or brand)
• City and country of origin
• Net quantity and weight per line
• Value per unit and total value
• Corresponding Harmonized code

Those fields were mandatory for final submission, and clearance could not progress until they were complete.

Practical tips and compliance recommendations

Trade compliance practitioners recommend:

1. Prepare a thorough invoice from the start.
2. Use item‑specific language and correct HS codes.
3. Keep manufacturer and origin records handy.
4. Respond to UPS portal alerts immediately.
5. Expect holds when food items are involved and plan extra time.

Additional practical steps:

• Avoid generic catch‑alls like “snacks” or “steel items.”
• Use clear, buyer‑friendly terms tied to measurable data points: product name, flavor, packaging size, material composition, unit weight.
• For stainless steel utensils, specify item (e.g., “stainless steel ladle, 30 cm”), material (e.g., “AISI 304 stainless”), and correct household articles code.
• For spices, name the spice (e.g., “red chili powder”), its form (powder, whole), and intended culinary use.
• Keep realistic, honest unit values—undervaluation to dodge duties can lead to longer holds and possible penalties.

Important: CBP’s 2024–2025 enforcement includes stricter penalties for inaccurate or incomplete commercial invoices. While penalties usually target commercial imports, personal shippers should not assume exemptions.

How recipients and occasional shippers can help

Recipients can reduce delays by:

• Keeping an itemized list when asking relatives to send goods.
• Sharing product names, brands, sizes, and approximate values.
• Organizing photos of items before dispatch to upload if customs requests proof.
• Maintaining contact with the sender and UPS throughout transit.
• Uploading requested documents to the portal immediately rather than waiting for a call.

Even infrequent shippers can meet the higher bar by building a one‑page inventory template with columns for:

• Product name, description, composition
• Unit size, quantity, net weight
• HS code, unit value, total value
• Manufacturer (or “homemade”) and city/country of origin

Keeping this file updated saves days when a hold occurs.

Final takeaway

This Hyderabad shipment underscores a simple rule: customs clearance favors clarity. The more specific the invoice—product by product, with HS codes, origin, weights, and realistic values—the smoother the journey. When a courier requests more detail, speed and completeness make the difference between a short pause and a long wait.