Shipping Exam
Container was examined by CBP - Customs and Border Protection and being charged a fee by the CES - Centralized Examination Station.
Container was examined by CBP - Customs and Border Protection and being charged a fee by the CES - Centralized Examination Station.
Under 19 USC 1467, CBP has a right to examine any shipment imported into the United States and it is important to know that you, the importer, must bear the cost of such shipping exam. Per the CBP regulations, it is the responsibility of the importer to make the goods available for examination-- "The importer shall bear any expense involved in preparing the merchandise for CBP examination and in the closing of packages" (19 CFR 151.6). Household effects are not exempt. No distinction is made between commercial and personal shipments. In the course of normal operations, CBP does not charge for cargo examinations. However, there may still be costs involved for the importer. For example, if your shipment is selected for examination, it will generally be moved to a Centralized Examination Station (CES) for the CBP exam to take place. An CES is a privately operated facility, not in the charge of a CBP Officer, at which merchandise is made available to CBP officers for physical examination. The CES facility will unload (devan) your shipment from its shipping container and will reload it after the exam. The CES will bill you for their services. There are also costs associated with moving the cargo to and from the shipping exam site and with storage. Rates will vary across the country and a complete devanning may cost several hundred dollars. The CES concept fulfills the needs of both CBP and the importer by providing an efficient means to conduct exams in a timely manner. CESs are discussed in part 118 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
Here are some of the Exam fees we known, but they could create new term & fees anytime/anywhere. (Reference only). Disposition Code is a 2‑position alphanumeric code transmitted in AMS in a status notification message indicating the action that has been taken against the bill. Importer Frequency of Examination (FOE)
Los Angeles, CA Rates
Mobile, AL Rates
Jacksonville, FL Rates
Portsmouth, VA Rates
Houston, TX Rates
Miami, FL Rates
Note: Exam-delays can be linked to incomplete or misleading consignee/manufacturer information, also, incomplete / misleading country of origin, poor item description (materials that is made out of ), unrealistic values, missing Fabric/Textile (ie: cotton%, woven% & etc.) detail sheets & etc. Above are exam fees for stander shipment, REEFER, Hazard, & etc shipping exam could be double/triple or more. Also, LATE ISF filings. IF US Customs Required your shipment to move to Exam site after 10am (pacific time) or PTT is issued after 10am by Customs, it will be considered as next day move/delivery to exam site, meaning you will be paying other days of storage fees (IF any). Disposition Code a 2‑position alphanumeric code transmitted in AMS in a status notification message indicating the action that has been taken against the bill. (Importer Frequency of Examination (FOE))
In some cases:
In other case:
In other case of Fish and Wildlife (FWS) / USDA:
Again, US Customs & other Government Agency has rights to Examine your shipment(s) ANYTIME ANYWHERE. Even if you received Customs Release documents (Form 7501, 3641 & DO) & picked-up the shipment, still shipping exam is possible.
If any, EXAM by US Customs/DHS/Agencies to, Who will be receiving Exam Notice, FIRST & who will be Notifying Exam to You (Importer / Consignee) & Your Customs Broker also, what is a Customs Broker.