Customs exceptions
What does a US customs hold, exam or General Order cost an importer?
A customs hold can cost an importer exam-station handling, movement and storage charges, even when CBP does not charge for the exam itself. If merchandise stays uncleared beyond 15 days it may move to a General Order warehouse at the importer's expense, and after six months it may be auctioned or confiscated. A clear owner for the response limits the time these costs run.
By Ayhan Karaca, Co-Founder · Updated: September 29, 2026
Who pays when CBP examines a shipment?
CBP explains that the importer bears expenses involved in preparing merchandise for examination. A shipment may be moved to a privately operated Centralized Examination Station, with charges for unloading and reloading; CBP also notes movement and storage costs, and says a complete devanning may cost several hundred dollars. Actual rates vary.
| Event | Possible operating cost | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Hold or document request | Waiting and coordination | Owner, request, due time |
| Move to exam site | Drayage or bonded movement | Movement status and evidence |
| Examination handling | Unload, reload, facility charge | Invoice linked to shipment |
| Extended dwell | Storage and downstream disruption | Escalation and impact record |
When does cargo go to General Order?
CBP says merchandise that remains uncleared beyond 15 days may be moved to a General Order warehouse, where the importer is responsible for transportation and storage. If it remains uncleared for more than six months, the goods may be auctioned or confiscated. Shipment-specific timing and status must be confirmed with CBP and qualified parties.
How should teams run a customs hold response?
The response record should distinguish the authority's status from partner interpretation, capture the exact request, name the responsible party, collect the supporting file set, and show the next checkpoint. Costs and decisions should stay linked so finance and operations see the same consequence.
- Record the hold or exam status and its source.
- Assign each question to the qualified responder.
- Keep requested and received evidence together.
- Track associated movement, facility, storage, and expedite costs.
How Tyllus helps
Tyllus organizes customs workflow questions, documents, partner follow-up, owner-visible exceptions, movement context, and related cost evidence around the shipment. It helps the team coordinate the response and preserve a clear trail. Tyllus does not influence CBP, clear a hold, conduct customs business, or guarantee release timing.
Coordinate the exception without losing the trail.
See how Tyllus can connect requests, evidence, owners, movement, and costs around a customs exception.