General Order, or GO, is a U.S. customs status for imported cargo that has not been properly entered, cleared, or claimed within the required time after arrival. When cargo goes into General Order, it may be transferred to a bonded warehouse under customs control, and the importer becomes responsible for storage, handling, transportation, and related costs. If the issue is not resolved, the goods may eventually be sold, exported, or otherwise disposed of according to customs rules.
A General Order (GO) is a CBP procedure used when imported cargo is not claimed or entered within 15 days of arrival. The cargo is transferred to a bonded warehouse designated as a General Order warehouse, where it is held until claimed, entered for consumption, or disposed of.
- CBP initiates GO proceedings when no customs entry is filed within 15 days
- Cargo transferred to a GO warehouse incurs daily storage fees
- Unclaimed GO cargo can be sold at auction or destroyed after 6 months
- Importers or consignees can reclaim GO cargo by filing a formal entry and paying all fees
For related logistics context, see glossary entries on Bonded Warehouse, Customs Entry, Customs Bond, and Demurrage.
