Message: “Your cargo is held at customs.”
These six words are enough to disrupt your entire shipping schedule—causing delivery delays, extra charges, and even spoilage if your cargo is perishable.
It’s frustrating—but it’s not the end of the road.
With the right international freight forwarder and timely response, a customs hold can be resolved quickly and cost-effectively.
In this blog, we’ll explain exactly what to do if your cargo is held in U.S. customs, how long holds last, what extra charges you may face, and how to prevent future customs delays.
What is a customs hold?
A customs hold occurs when a cargo is temporarily stopped by a country's customs authorities at the borders. This is usually to verify documentation, inspect goods, or resolve compliance issues.
In the U.S., this process is overseen by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
After the 9/11 attacks, U.S. customs regulations became significantly stricter. The CBP enhanced its screening procedures to prevent threats and enforce more security.
Today, every import or export is subject to scrutiny—regardless of size or value.
CBP checks what enters and leaves the country to:
- Protect national security
- Prevent illegal goods (e.g., drugs, weapons, counterfeit products)
- Ensure importers are paying correct duties and following regulations
- Monitor high-risk or restricted commodities
So, when your cargo is “on customs hold”, it means it didn’t pass through clearance immediately.
It could be under review for paperwork issues, random inspection, or regulatory non-compliance.
Common reasons cargo gets stuck in customs
Customs holding the shipment can be due to various reasons, but the prime reasons for why a cargo is getting held at the customs
- Missing or inaccurate documentation (ISF, bill of lading, commercial invoice)
- Late ISF filing
- Random inspections or X-ray exams
- Importing restricted or regulated items
- Unpaid duties, taxes, or penalties
- HTS code mismatch
- Issues flagged by Partner Government Agencies (PGA) like the FDA, USDA, EPA
You might wonder that, once the shipments get caught in the customs clearance, then there is no way out.
But the answer is NO. There are still ways to clear the customs and deliver the cargo on time to the customer.
How Long Can U.S. Customs Hold Cargo?
The duration of a customs hold in the U.S. can vary based on the reason for the delay. Here's what importers can typically expect:
- Document Review (Manifest Hold / ISF Review): 1–2 business days
- Customs checks documents like the ISF, commercial invoice, and bill of lading for discrepancies.
- Customs Examination (CET Exam): 2–4 business days
- A physical inspection is performed at a Centralized Examination Station (CES). Delay length depends on inspection type and port congestion.
- PGA Holds (e.g., FDA, USDA, EPA): 5–7+ business days
- These involve other U.S. government agencies and can take longer, especially if lab tests, certifications, or quarantine processes are involved.
When will customs holds become a problem?
In the U.S., terminals offer free time for cargo to be cleared and picked up—usually:
- 2–3 days for ocean containers
- Less than a day for air cargo
Once those whose cargo gets held at the customs, the free days will eventually expire. So they are expected to pay the below fees:
- Demurrage kicks in (charged by the port or terminal for storing your container).
- Detention fees follow (charged by the steamship line if the container isn’t returned on time).
- Storage charges may apply if your cargo is at a bonded warehouse or CES for too long.
What are the additional charges associated with customs holds?
Along with demurrage, detention and storage, there are several other fees, if your cargo gets on hold with the customs.
- Inspection/Exam Fees
- Customs exams in the U.S. come with fees, and importers are responsible for them
- VACIS (X-ray): ~$100–$300
- Tailgate Exam: ~$200–$350
- Intensive Exam: ~$1,000+ depending on port, cargo type, and handling
- Customs exams in the U.S. come with fees, and importers are responsible for them
- Customs Penalties
- ISF Late Filing: Up to $10,000 per shipment
- Misdeclaration or undervaluation: Heavy fines and possible seizure of cargo
Who pays these costs in the U.S.?
In nearly all cases, the U.S. importer (you) is responsible for:
- Demurrage, detention, and storage
- Customs and exam fees
- Filing penalties and bond-related expense
Step-by-step procedure of what to do when your cargo is held in customs
Step 1: Contact your freight forwarder or customs broker immediately
- The moment you see a delay, get in touch with your freight forwarder because they can get answers fast.
- An international freight forwarder will monitor your shipments closely, and in many cases, they already know about the hold before you even call.
- They will check the customs status, port updates, and coordinate with customs authorities directly and understand exactly what’s going on.
Step 2: Identify the reason behind the hold
- A freight forwarder will work with the appropriate customs officers or port authorities to gather the facts and decode the type of hold—whether it’s a Document Review, CET Exam, or Detention.
- After having communication with the customs authorities, an experienced freight forwarder will pinpoint the exact reason your cargo is stuck.
Note - Customs may hold a shipment for missing documents, unpaid duties, restricted goods, or simply for random inspection.
Step 3: Review and correct all documentation
- Now that we know what’s causing the delay, it’s time to fix it. Most of the customs holds are due to documentation issues—something’s missing, mismatched, or unclear.
- An experienced freight forwarder will guide you step by step to correct these errors, collect any additional documents needed, and submit them directly through CBP approved portal to avoid further back-and-forth.
Step 4: Resolve payments and additional requirements
- Once the paperwork is corrected, customs may still require payment of duties, taxes, or inspection charges.
- Delays in payment can lead to demurrage fees or longer port stays.
Case study - one of our clients importing industrial equipment faced a surprise exam fee and needed a customs bond. We helped them get a single-entry bond on short notice and arranged fast payment to clear the goods.
- An international freight forwarder would have come across all these challenges.
- So they will explain the charges clearly, help you make payment through the right channels, and assist with filing customs bonds or compliance declarations when needed.
Pro tip - We also offer continuous bond and ISF (Importer Security Filing) filing services, so your future shipments are already one step ahead. (Contact).
Step 5: Monitor the release and keep communication open
- Once everything’s resolved, the freight forwarder continues to monitor your cargo until it’s officially released.
- Customs clearance isn’t just about submitting documents—it’s about keeping the pressure on until the job is done.
Case study: One of our client’s cargo cleared customs, but the terminal didn’t release it due to a missing release note from the carrier. We chased down the paperwork, coordinated with both parties, and ensured delivery stayed on schedule.
- The freight forwarder will keep you informed every step of the way—through digital portal, email updates, or direct contact—until your cargo is cleared, picked up, and on the road to its destination.
If you follow the above steps you can move your cargo from the customs promptly and delivery on time
Tips to avoid getting stuck in the U.S. customs
Here are some practical tips to help U.S. importers avoid customs delays:
- File ISF and AMS on Time (and Accurately)
- Double-Check Commercial documents
- Use the correct HTS code
- Be ready with required certifications for products regulated by U.S. agencies like the FDA, USDA, EPA, or CPSC, additional paperwork or approvals are required.
- Work with a trusted international freight forwarding company like AIR 7 SEAS
Final thoughts
With the right knowledge, timely action, and a trusted international freight forwarder by your side, you can turn potential delays into smooth, manageable processes.
At Air7Seas, we ensure your shipments clear customs quickly and efficiently. Our expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to transparency help you avoid costly delays and keep your business running on schedule.
Move your freight with confidence and abide by US trade and customs regulations.