General Order

What is General Order?

General Order (GO) is a status given to cargo imported into the U.S. that is missing proper Customs documentation or does not quickly clear Customs.

If they remain uncleared after 15 days, goods under GO will be moved to a General Order warehouse (a type of bonded warehouse.) Transportation and storage costs are the responsibility of the importer. Note that storage charges in a GO warehouse are costly.

If the goods remain under General Order for more than six months, they will be put up for auction or confiscated. The auctions are held by U.S. Customs, take place monthly online on a nationwide basis, or locally at public spaces like hotels near the ports.

How can you avoid General Order?

In the U.S., importers can usually avoid General Order by filing the entry and completing the paperwork before the cargo arrives. Missing bills of lading, unpaid duties and unresolved Customs holds are common causes. If you suspect a problem, contact your customs broker early. Once cargo sits in a General Order warehouse, you typically need to clear the entry and pay the storage and handling charges before the goods are released.

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