The ISC Los Angeles is a crucial USPS international mail processing facility, commonly known as an international service center. With five ISCs in the United States, including locations in Los Angeles, CA; Miami, FL; Chicago, IL; New York, NY; and San Francisco, CA, these centers handle mail entering the US from other countries. The ISC Los Angeles, in particular, manages packages arriving via the western region.
When international items reach the ISC, it becomes a central hub for inspecting, sorting, and routing mail from abroad. Customs clearance and processing take place here before the packages proceed to local post offices.
What Does “Processed Through ISC Los Angeles” Mean?
Receiving a “Processed Through Facility ISC Los Angeles CA” scan indicates that your package has undergone special processing at the International Service Center in Los Angeles because it originates from another country. This specific update means:
- Your package has arrived at the Los Angeles ISC from an international location.
- It has been scanned and sorted at the facility.
- Your mail has undergone customs verification and checks.
- After clearing customs, it has received sorting to route it to the proper domestic delivery post office.
This status assures that your package has successfully navigated the initial stages of special international mail sorting, security checks, and customs clearance at the ISC Los Angeles.
What Happens in Customs at the ISC?
Clearing US customs is a crucial aspect of the ISC process. All international mail undergoes screening by Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The verification includes:
- Recipient addresses screening
- Contents screening
- Verification of duties and taxes paid on imports
- Checking legality and restricted items
- Overall customs clearance
Both human reviews and X-ray scans are employed during this process to confirm contents, ensure proper duties were paid, and verify the legality of the package’s entry into the country. The “Processed through ISC Los Angeles” update signals that your package has successfully passed these customs and verification checks.
What’s Next After ISC Los Angeles Processing?
Following customs clearance at ISC Los Angeles, the package is routed and sorted within the facility to reach the appropriate state and local post office. Subsequent steps include:
- Routing from the Los Angeles ISC to your local or regional USPS sorting facility.
- Standard USPS mail sorting to your local post office.
- Final delivery by your regular mail carrier to your address.
While the ISC Los Angeles initiates the domestic USPS mail flow, there are still transit times to consider once the package leaves the ISC. Plan for 1-3 days for your package to exit the Los Angeles ISC and enter domestic transit, followed by normal USPS First Class or Priority Mail delivery times from California to your address.
What If My Package Is Stuck at ISC Los Angeles?
Delays can occur at the ISC Los Angeles, where some packages may be held up during customs checks or selected for additional screening. If your package remains stuck for over 5 days with no tracking updates, contacting USPS or the shipper for information is recommended. While delays are normal during customs and international transit, ongoing processes usually ensure that your package progresses through ISC LA within 5 days or less in most cases.
Key Takeaways on ISC Los Angeles Processing
The status “Processed through ISC Los Angeles CA” is a positive indication that your package has:
- Entered the US following international transit.
- Arrived at the Los Angeles ISC facility.
- Undergone necessary customs verification and screening.
- Will continue routing to your delivery address shortly.
While not the final delivery scan, this status confirms that your package has successfully cleared customs and is en route to your local post office. It signifies a successful check-in into USPS systems from international transit and indicates progress in the delivery process.