Customs Hold
Detailed Freight Guide & Operational Context
A Customs Hold is a legal stop placed on a shipment by national border agencies (such as US Customs and Border Protection, EU Customs, or Indian Customs) prohibiting the cargo from leaving the terminal or bonded facility.
Types of customs holds include Manifest Holds (paperwork or HS code discrepancies), Commercial Enforcement Holds (intellectual property or anti-dumping checks), PGA Holds (partner government agencies like FDA or USDA), and Intensive Examination Holds (X-ray NII scan or physical devanning at a Centralized Examination Station).
Crucially, in many jurisdictions and commercial contracts, port demurrage continues to accrue even while a container is placed under a customs hold, making swift document compliance essential.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hold
Does free time pause during a customs hold?
Generally no; marine terminals and ocean carriers usually continue calculating demurrage days during customs holds unless specifically mitigated by local FMC rules or dispute procedures.
What causes a customs hold?
Common causes include incomplete documentation, incorrect HS codes, undervaluation flags, missing import licenses, random compliance audits, or national security security targeting.
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