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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 ORDERS 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 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 Order Details slideout.

  • 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 "Shipment" 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 "Edit Individual Line Items" next to the line item in the Customs Information section.

    ODET-CustomsInfo-EditLineItems_MRK.png

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

    ODET-CustomsInfo-LineItemWeight_MRK.png

  3. Click Close when you have finished

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 Order Details slideout.

  1. Select the Override Customs Form link.

    ODET-CustomsInfo-OverrideCustomsForm_MRK.png

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

    ODET_CustomsInfo_OverrideCustomsFormPU.png

  3. Click Confirm Override.

Packing Slips Not Affected

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

Edit the Package Shipment Weight

  1. Locate the Weight field under the "Shipment" section.

    ODET-Shipment-WeightLessThanCustoms-EditWeight_MRK.png

  2. Update it to the corrected weight.

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