Getting 2,000 Christmas trees through customs
Seasonal freight is unforgiving. Especially in November, when supply chains are already under pressure. So when 2,000 Christmas trees got stuck in Calais ahead of peak demand, it had the potential to become a big problem.
The consignment could not progress because it was not being offloaded for the mandatory inspection, with the terminal citing concerns that the load was not packed correctly for the required check.
To overcome this block, C4 took ownership of the issue. By maintaining daily communication with customs and stakeholders, they drove a resolution and protected the customer’s timeline.
Daily liaison with compliance
C4’s approach was built around proactive escalation, persistent follow-up, and clear communication. By identifying the blocker early, they could immediately escalate the situation to the relevant parties to prevent the hold becoming prolonged.
Our team’s time-critical mindset meant they were calling customs and speaking with them every day. This ensured the case stayed active, cleared up any port and inspection requirements and meant progress was continuously pushed forward.
Throughout the hold, C4 also kept the customer informed with regular status updates and clear next steps. This gave the customer a single point of contact and reduced uncertainty during a high-stakes seasonal period.
By staying close to customs guidance and ensuring all actions aligned with inspection requirements, C4 worked to remove obstacles and get the consignment back into flow. This protected delivery timelines during the peak pre-Christmas window.
When your supply chain can’t afford to stop, C4 keeps it moving.
Contact us about time-critical customs support.