If you are using UPS as the shipper this is their standard practice. Its a royal pain no matter how many times I explain to them. I find it difficult to think it will have come from HMRC
I've had to deal with exactly the same issue with the last two orders from HK via Redwolf.
The main problem I've had is not filling out the form, and providing my UKARA etc but constantly trying to get updates from UPS in a vain attempt to get things moving...
Both parcels were sat in their warehouse for days!