WhatsApp template: arrived, customs clearance under way
The cargo has landed and clearance has started.
A utility template, sent the cargo has landed and clearance has started. Usually sent outside the 24-hour window, so it is charged: ₹0.115 per message in India, before GST.
The template
{{1}}, shipment {{2}} arrived at {{3}} on {{4}} and is in customs clearance. Expected release {{5}}. We will confirm the moment it clears.Variables
{{1}}— Customer name{{2}}— Booking number{{3}}— Destination{{4}}— Arrival date{{5}}— Expected release date
Filled in
Ramesh, shipment MSK-88120 arrived at Jebel Ali on 9 October and is in customs clearance. Expected release 11 October. We will confirm the moment it clears.
When to send it, and what gets it rejected
Customs is where customers worry and where a forwarder goes quiet. A message that says "we are on it, here is the date" is the difference between a customer who trusts the process and one who calls twice a day.
Submitting it to Meta
Create it in WhatsApp Manager (or through your tool) with the category Utility, paste the body with the {{n}} variables, and give each variable a sample value from the example above — Meta’s review reads the samples. Approval usually takes minutes to a few hours. If it comes back re-categorised as marketing, a line in the body reads as promotional; remove it rather than argue.
What it costs to send
In India, Meta charges ₹0.115 per delivered message for a utility template, plus 18% GST, when it is sent outside the customer’s 24-hour window. Inside the window it has been charged at the same rate since 1 October 2026. The pricing guide has the full rate card; Linkubit adds nothing to it.
Send it without typing it
In Linkubit this template is a step the assistant sends on its own when the moment arrives — the enquiry lands, the visit is booked, the shipment moves — with the variables filled from the record. Start free and connect your number.
Questions about this template
Is "Arrived, clearing customs" a utility or a marketing template?
Utility. It is about the customer's own transaction, so it needs no separate opt-in, and it is charged at the utility rate inside and outside the 24-hour window since 1 October 2026.
What does it cost to send "Arrived, clearing customs" in India?
₹0.115 per delivered message before 18% GST, on Meta's published rate as read on 18 September 2026. It is usually sent outside the window, so it is charged from the first message. Meta bills your own account; nothing is added.
Can I change the wording of "Arrived, clearing customs"?
Yes. Keep the variables in order and none at the start or end of the body, keep the category honest — no offer, discount or "limited time" line in a utility message — and resubmit; the previous version keeps working until the new one is approved. The template checker tests a draft before you submit it.
More templates for freight & logistics
- Quote request received — The moment an enquiry arrives, before anyone has priced it.
- Quote ready — When pricing has a number and the customer's window has closed.
- Missing details to quote — The enquiry cannot be priced — no volume, no commodity, no Incoterm.
- Booking confirmed — The customer said yes and the booking exists in your system.
- Documents needed — Two working days before cut-off, when something is still missing.
- Shipment departed — The vessel or flight has left.
Ready to put your sales on autopilot?
Start freeNo coding required. No credit card required.