General Order
General order (GO) is the status of imported goods not entered with US Customs within 15 calendar days of arrival, which are then moved to a general order warehouse at the importer's expense.
Why it matters for ecommerce brands
Letting goods go to general order adds storage and handling charges that grow by the day, and goods unclaimed for six months can be sold. Entry must be filed within 15 calendar days of arrival, or CBP can send the cargo to a GO warehouse at your expense. For example, a container that misses entry because of a missing commercial invoice might pay $300 for the transfer plus $100 a day in storage, or $3,300 after 30 days. Line up your broker, bond, and documents before the vessel arrives.
Common questions
- What happens if my shipment goes to general order?
- CBP moves the goods to a general order warehouse, where storage and handling charges accrue. You can still file entry and recover them by paying those charges, but goods unclaimed after six months may be sold.
- How long do I have to file customs entry before general order?
- Entry must generally be filed within 15 calendar days after the goods arrive at the port. After that, CBP can order them moved to a general order warehouse.
- How do I get goods out of general order?
- Have your broker file the entry and pay any duties, then pay the GO warehouse for storage, handling, and transfer before it releases the cargo. Acting quickly limits the daily storage charges.