What is a General Order (GO)?
A general order (GO) is a status assigned to imported goods that lack proper documentation or cannot be cleared through customs efficiently. These items may end up under general order if the necessary duties, fees, or interest are unpaid, if the owner fails to complete essential customs paperwork, or if the goods are not invoiced correctly and legally. When items remain uncleared for more than 15 days, they fall under general order status.
Key Takeaways
- Imported goods that miss proper paperwork or are not claimed within 15 days are classified as General Order (GO) by U.S. Customs.
- After 15 days, GO items are relocated to a class 11 general order warehouse, a type of bonded warehouse.
- If kept under GO for more than six months, the items may be seized by the government, donated to charity, or auctioned off.
- U.S. Customs holds monthly online auctions nationwide or locally in public spaces such as hotels near the ports.
Understanding General Orders (GOs)
After 15 days, any goods classified as general order merchandise will be relocated to a Class 11 bonded warehouse, according to the guidelines set forth by Title 19, United States Code (U.S.C.), section 1555. The risk associated with transportation and storage of these goods remains with the merchandise owner.
If goods stay under general order beyond six months, they are subject to confiscation by the government or auction conducted by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). These auctions happen monthly online nationwide or at public venues like hotels near ports. Auctions are open to all, except for CBP employees and their immediate family members. Participants must place a $5,000 deposit to bid, and all purchases are nonrefundable. Buyers are responsible for picking up their purchased items.
The port of entry or company initially receiving the goods in the United States must notify U.S. Customs within 20 days of the arrival of unclaimed or incorrectly documented items or risk fines up to $1,000.
Real-World Example of a General Order
On February 16-17, 2017, the CBP held a nationwide online auction for general order merchandise that had been abandoned at ports and then moved to bonded warehouses. Six months after being held, the merchandise became eligible for auction. Among the items listed in this auction were:
- 2011 Mercedes Benz ML350
- 2011 Ford Fusion
- 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
- Women’s and men’s clothing
- Quilts
- Framed mirrors, bathroom vanity with mirrors, and a table with a glass top
- Toy cars
- Lamps and lighting accessories
- Carbon steel pipe
- Backpacks
Related Terms: imported goods, customs clearance, bonded warehouse, auction, U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
References
- Code of Federal Regulations. “19 CFR §123.10—General Order Merchandise”.
- Code of Federal Regulations. “19 CFR §19.9—General Order, Abandoned, and Seized Merchandise”.
- United States Code. “19 USC §1555—Bonded Warehouses”.
- CWS Asset Management & Sales. “FAQs—US Customs GO Merchandise”.
- CWS Asset Management & Sales, Inc. “Bid Results—U.S. Customs & Border Protection GO Merchandise, 17-54-271/321”, Pages 1-3.
