“International shipment release” is a tracking status meaning your parcel has cleared customs and been released to the carrier for onward delivery. On FedEx tracking it usually appears as “International Shipment Release – Import“, which means customs in the destination country has finished its checks — document review, duty and tax assessment, any inspection — and the parcel is no longer held by customs. From here it re-enters the local delivery network and heads to a destination sorting facility.
In this guide:
- Import vs export: two different statuses
- What customs checks happen before release
- What happens after release — and how long delivery takes
- What to do if your parcel is stuck before release
- How carriers phrase this status
- Frequently Asked Questions
Import vs export: two different statuses
The same phrase can appear with either an import or an export tag, and they mean opposite things:
| Status | Meaning | Where the parcel is |
|---|---|---|
| International Shipment Release – Export | Cleared customs in the origin (sending) country | Leaving the country of origin, heading to the destination |
| International Shipment Release – Import | Cleared customs in the destination (receiving) country | In the destination country, entering the local delivery network |
Most shoppers see the import version, because that’s the status that appears when goods arrive at the country where you live. If you see the export version, your parcel has simply been allowed to leave the sending country — it still has to cross the border and clear destination customs.
What customs checks happen before release
Release doesn’t happen automatically — it’s the sign that several checks are finished:
- Document review: customs checks the commercial invoice, packing list, declared value and HS (product classification) codes.
- Duty and tax assessment: import duties and taxes are calculated and payment is confirmed (or billed to the recipient).
- Inspection: some shipments are selected for physical or X-ray inspection to confirm the contents match the declaration.
- Regulatory compliance: restricted or regulated goods (food, medicines, electronics, batteries) get additional checks.
Routine customs clearance typically takes 1–2 working days per country for standard parcels with correct paperwork, and often a bit longer during peak shipping seasons or holidays. Problems start when something is missing — inaccurate or missing documents can stall clearance for several days or even weeks, and unpaid duties will hold a parcel indefinitely.
What happens after release — and how long delivery takes
Release is not the same as “out for delivery”. Once customs releases your shipment, this is the usual sequence:
- The carrier moves the parcel from the customs facility to a destination sorting facility.
- It’s sorted and sent to the local facility serving your area.
- It goes out for delivery and arrives at your door.
Carriers commonly need 2–5 business days after release to complete this last leg, depending on distance from the customs entry point, the service level (express vs economy), and local network capacity. Express shipments often arrive within a day or two of release. You can follow the whole journey on TrackMyParcels’ tracking tool — just enter your tracking number.
What to do if your parcel is stuck before release
If your tracking has shown no “release” update for several days, work through this checklist:
- Check for an invoice: the most common hold-up is an unpaid duty or tax bill. Look for a payment notice from the carrier — sometimes it goes to spam.
- Contact the carrier with your tracking number: ask specifically what is outstanding (a document, a payment, an inspection). The FedEx and DHL tracking pages on TrackMyParcels have handoff links and contact info — see our DHL tracking guide and FedEx tracking guide.
- Fix the paperwork: if customs flagged a vague goods description or wrong HS code, the shipper may need to submit a corrected invoice.
- Be patient at peak times: holidays and high-volume periods cause genuine backlogs at customs offices.
- Act if it’s been a week+: a stalled customs shipment rarely resolves on its own — escalate with the carrier rather than just waiting.
How carriers phrase this status
Different carriers use different words for the same event. Here’s a quick decoder:
| Carrier | The status you might see | It means |
|---|---|---|
| FedEx | International Shipment Release – Import / Export | Cleared destination / origin customs |
| DHL | Customs status updated / Clearance processing complete | Customs has released the shipment |
| UPS | Customs has released the shipment | Cleared customs, back in the UPS network |
Confused by other tracking phrases? Our guides on what “in transit” means and what “out for delivery” means cover the statuses before and after customs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does “international shipment release” mean my package will be delivered today?
Not necessarily. Release means customs let the parcel through — it still has to move through the destination sorting facility and local network first. Expect delivery 2–5 business days after release for standard services, faster for express.
What is the difference between “International Shipment Release – Import” and “Export”?
“Export” means the parcel cleared customs in the country it was sent from. “Import” means it cleared customs in the country it’s being delivered to. For recipients, the import version is the one that signals customs is finished on your side.
Do I have to pay anything after seeing this status?
Sometimes. Duties and taxes may be settled before release, but some carriers release the shipment and then bill the recipient on delivery or by invoice afterward. If a carrier contacts you asking for payment, handle it promptly — unpaid charges are the top reason parcels stall right after release.
How long can a parcel stay in customs before release?
Standard parcels usually clear within 1–5 business days when paperwork is correct. Delays come from missing or inaccurate documents, unpaid duties, or inspections selected at random. If a week passes with no movement, contact the carrier with your tracking number and ask what is outstanding.
Can a released shipment go back into customs?
Rarely. Once released, the shipment is out of customs control. It can still face delivery-side issues — a local carrier handoff problem or an unpaid delivery charge — but those aren’t customs holds.