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. Under CBP procedure, this applies when cargo is not claimed or entered within 15 days of arrival, and the cargo is held in a bonded warehouse designated as a General Order warehouse 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
Related terms: Customs Bond, Demurrage.
