When you’re bringing goods into the United States, it’s important to know and follow the customs rules. Tell U.S. Customs the details of your shipment, such as the product, its origin, and its value. Be ready to pay any taxes or fees that might be needed. These duties affect the overall cost of your import and how long your goods take to go through customs. If you prepare the necessary documents in advance and understand your responsibilities, you can reduce the risk of issues and ensure your shipment is sent quickly and easily.
U.S. Customs Inspection Types
There are many reasons for inspection delays. Some reasons may be delays in customs due to information, document, or system errors.
When such a situation occurs, customs officials take the goods to another customs control point in the US. There, a decision is made on how to proceed. This prevents the rest of the shipment from being delayed.
The U.S. Customs Service uses the following methods to inspect goods: There are various reasons for detentions: cargo manifest, CET, PGA/trade application, and statistical verification.
- VACIS EXAM (Document Inspection): This basic inspection checks whether customs documents and manifests, such as bills of lading, invoices, packing lists, and permit documents, are accurate and consistent. It works similarly to identity checks performed at airports.
- CET (Scanner Inspection / Inspection Without Opening): At the port, large X-ray machines scan containers to view their contents. If anything suspicious is found during the scan, customs officials may decide to open the container for a more detailed inspection using Tailgate or MET inspection.
- Container inspection (quick inspection by opening the container): If the CET scan finds something suspicious but there is insufficient evidence, customs officers open the container door and perform a quick inspection. They usually check the goods near the door, the seal, and the general condition inside, but they do not inspect the entire container.
- MET (manual examination/intensive examination): This is one of the most rigorous inspection methods. The container is taken to an inspection point approved by customs, usually operated by private companies such as SCE. There, officials open the container and thoroughly inspect all goods inside, sometimes taking samples for testing.
- Features: It takes a long time (usually several days to several weeks, although document checks can be completed within 24 hours), is costly, and requires more information about the cargo or supporting documentation. During the inspection period, the goods are held by customs (CBP Hold).
The system determines whether an inspection is necessary and what type of inspection is required based on whether the goods are dangerous, what is stated on the declaration, and where the container came from. If the process reaches the MET stage, it becomes more detailed and takes more time.
Customs inspection status code
U.S. customs control codes: 1H, 2H, 5H, 7H, 1A, and 4A indicate how the inspection is conducted and its results.
- 1H: Indicates a standard container inspection. Customs primarily checks the unit price of goods, documentation, and whether they are prohibited items, counterfeit products, etc. After clearance, it displays as 1I.
- 2H: Represents an inspection by the Department of Agriculture, primarily targeting wooden products, which may include wood product declarations and fumigation of wooden pallets. After clearance, the system displays 2I
- 5H: Represents an inspection type yet to be confirmed. Customs will first review the documents and then decide whether to conduct a physical inspection. After clearance, the system displays 5I
- 7H: Represents an X-ray inspection, i.e., machine scanning inspection. After the goods pass the X-ray inspection, pay the inspection fees, and the system will display 7I
- 1A: Indicates document inspection. Customs will first review the documents, and if the information does not match, it will be transferred to a physical inspection. After clearance, the system will display 1B
- 4A: Indicates that documents will be reviewed first to determine whether a physical inspection is necessary. If the documents do not match, there is a high probability that a physical inspection will be conducted. After clearance, the system will display 4C.
Inspection time and fees
- Manual inspection time: Depends on the type of inspection (partial opening, full opening, or full inspection), peak season impact, and cargo sensitivity (e.g., certification requirements, hazardous goods classification). Customs typically provides results within 5–10 working days after inspection completion (actual time may be longer, especially for MET).
- Machine inspection time: VACIS/CET (7H status) is generally faster, taking approximately 1–2 days.
- Fees: Basic inspection fees (e.g., VACIS/CET) typically range from $300 to $ 500. MET inspection fees will significantly increase (including site fees, labor costs, demurrage fees, etc.).
- Current trends: Due to geopolitical factors and trade policies (e.g., tariffs), inspection rates have increased, and inspection times may be extended. Emphasize the importance of compliant declarations.
Choose a freight forwarder who knows U.S. regulations, has plenty of shipping experience, and is known for reliability. Building a long-term partnership with the right forwarder helps make customs clearance easier. At Hongocean, our compliance and customs team is ready to assist sellers in clearing customs quickly and efficiently.
To help your goods clear customs smoothly and arrive on time, keep an eye on updates from U.S. Customs and any changes in their policies. Ensure that all your paperwork meets customs requirements to avoid delays and problems.
