A tailgate exam is a customs inspection where officers open the doors of a shipping container or trailer and visually inspect the cargo without fully unloading it. It is less intensive than a full container exam but more detailed than a document review. In U.S. import logistics, a tailgate exam may be requested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), with officers opening the rear doors of the container at the port terminal, to check cargo condition, packaging, seals, marks, or visible discrepancies before deciding whether the shipment can be released or needs further inspection.
- Conducted at the terminal without moving the container to a CES
- CBP officers visually inspect the rear cargo section
- May result in escalation to a more thorough intensive exam if anomalies are found
- Faster and less expensive than a full CES intensive exam
Related terms: Customs Exam, X-Ray Exam.
