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What does the error "weight cannot be less than the total customs item weight" mean?

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ShippingEasy Content Team

Updated

When shipping internationally, customs forms for packages need to be as accurate as possible to ensure timely processing. Specific information must be included, such as the total weight of the shipment, which is verified on the READY TO SHIP page.

It is common to see the error message "Weight cannot be less than the total customs item weight", which indicates a weight discrepancy. The packaged weight listed in the "Carrier Selections" must equal, or exceed, the total weight of the "Customs Information" line items. If the package weight is too low, then this error will be returned.

To correct this error, you will need to verify and edit a few fields on the READY TO SHIP page.

  • Verify and update the Weight in the "Customs Information" section.

    • If there are multiple line items, the weight of each item can be adjusted individually.

    • If the contents are all similar in type, the weight of the entire custom form can be overridden.

  • Verify and update the package Weight in the "Carrier Selections" section.

    • If the contents are packed, weigh the package to see if it weighs as much as the "Customs Information" weight.

    • If the package is not package, determine the weight of the packing materials. Calculate the package weight by adding this to the "Customs Information" weight.

The following sections will walk you through these steps.

Edit individual line item weights in the Customs Information section

  1. Click "view" next to the line item in the Customs Information section.

    EZ_INTL_view_next_to_line_item_custom_information.PNG

  2. Verify that the weight listed is correct. If not, you will need to update this information.

  3. To the lower right are options to Edit or Delete individual line items on the customs form.

    EZ_INTL_edit_line_item_customs_form.PNG

  4. Select "Edit" to expand a detailed set of options and edit the weight.

    verify_custom_line_item.PNG

Override all line items of Customs Information with a single weight

If all items in a shipment are similar, you can replace multiple individual line items with a single line using by overriding the customs form in the Customs Information section of the READY TO SHIP page.

  1. Select the Override Customs Form button.

    override_custom_form_button.PNG

  2. Fill in the correct total order information, including the weight of the entire order.

    override_custom_info.PNG

  3. Click Confirm Override.

    confirm_override.PNG

Note

This will not edit the information displayed on your packing slips.

Edit the Package Shipment Weight

  1. Select an international shipment from the pending queue on the left-hand side.

    int_l_highlighted_order_rts.png

  2. Locate the Weight field within the "Carrier Services and Packaging" section.

    INTL_highlighted_weight.png

  3. Type in the corrected weight.

  4. Click the Update button to save the weight and refresh your rate quote.

    INTL_highlight_update_weight.png

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  • weight
  • answerbot_article_public
  • customs_information
  • package_weight
  • accurate weight
  • edit_weight
  • assign_weight
  • override_weight
  • product weight
  • shipment_weight
  • order_weight