A shipment described as “held by customs” could be under examination, detention or seizure. These procedures are not interchangeable, so the first job is to establish which one applies — from the written notice, not from a verbal update.
What is the actual government action?
Read the written notice and identify the issuing agency, the port and the entry number. CBP may be acting for itself or for another agency such as FDA or CPSC, and that changes who you will be dealing with.
How do I build a timeline?
Record the arrival date, examination updates, every notice received and the communications among the importer, customs broker, supplier and logistics provider. Keep complete e-mails with their attachments. Response instructions in each notice must be reviewed individually — customs procedures do not all share the same deadline.
Which documents should I gather?
- Entry summary (CBP Form 7501)
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Bill of lading or air waybill
- Purchase agreements and payment records
- Correspondence with the customs broker
If the concern is the supply chain or country of origin, production and sourcing records may also be needed.
How should the evidence be used?
A large file is not necessarily an effective response. Counsel first needs to understand the government’s specific concern, then identify the facts and documents that answer it. Incomplete or inconsistent information should be checked before anything is submitted.
What paths are available?
Release, a permitted export or re-export, a petition for relief, a protest and litigation each have different requirements. No release or processing time can be guaranteed. An initial review establishes the current procedure, the gaps in the evidence and the possible next steps.
Official resources
General information, not advice for a particular matter.
