General Order (GO)

Definition of General Order (GO)

A General Order (GO) is a classification applied to imported goods by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) when these goods are either missing the necessary paperwork or unable to clear customs for any reason (e.g., outstanding duties, incorrect invoices). If the goods remain uncleared for more than 15 days, they are moved to a class 11 bonded warehouse and may eventually face government seizure, charitable donation, or auction.

General Order (GO)	Custom Hold
Goods lacking documentation and unable to clear within 15 days	Goods held for other reasons, but still under 15 days
Triggers auction/donation/seizure after 6 months	Usually temporary hold pending further resolution
Moves to class 11 bonded warehouse after 15 days	May not require warehousing or classification
Subject to clearance before retrieval	Retrievable as long as the issue is resolved

Bonded Warehouse: A secure facility where imported goods may be stored without the payment of duties until they are released.
Customs Brokerage: The process of clearing goods through customs by preparing and submitting the required documentation.
Seizure: The enforcement action taken by customs to take possession of goods that are unclaimed or not compliant with regulations.

    flowchart TD
	    A[Imported Goods] -->|Missing Documentation| B[Go to General Order]
	    A -->|Cleared through Customs| C[Delivery to Importer]
	    B -->|Held for 15 Days| D[Move to Class 11 Warehouse]
	    D -->|Held for 6 Months| E{Outcome}
	    E -->|Seized| F[Government Seizure]
	    E -->|Donated| G[Charity Donation]
	    E -->|Auctioned| H[Monthly Auction]

Fun Facts and Insights

Did you know that once goods are labeled as General Order, the paperwork can feel like an unending game of hide and seek? 😅
The first auction by U.S. Customs took place probably before your smartphone was invented! (Okay, this is a slight exaggeration, but regulations have existed far longer than current customs practices!)
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” which holds true here: ensuring proper documentation can save you a mountain of trouble!

“The only thing that comes to a sleeper is a dream.” – Malcolm X
(Don’t let your goods become just another dream stuck in customs!)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How long does Customs hold items before classifying them as General Orders?
A1: Goods awaiting clearance for more than 15 days get classified as General Orders.

Q2: What happens if my goods are in General Order for over six months?
A2: They’ll be subjected to seizure, donation, or auction, depending on the situation at that point.

Q3: Can I still retrieve my goods if they are classified as General Order?
A3: Yes, until they get auctioned or seized, as long as you take the necessary steps to rectify the documentation issues!

Suggested Resources

U.S. Customs and Border Protection - General Orders
Book: Customs Law of the United States - A comprehensive guide on the customs laws affecting imported goods.

Test Your Knowledge: General Order Quiz

## What triggers a General Order status? - [x] Missing proper documentation for over 15 days - [ ] Twilight Zone episode - [ ] Alien abduction of your shipment - [ ] Forgetting your grocery list > **Explanation:** A General Order status is triggered when imported goods are missing necessary documentation and are not cleared within the specific timeframe. ## What happens to goods under General Order after 15 days? - [x] Moved to a class 11 bonded warehouse - [ ] Set off on a vacation to the Bermuda Triangle - [ ] Transformed into magnificent customs sculptures - [ ] They spontaneously combust > **Explanation:** Goods unclaimed after 15 days are moved to a class 11 bonded warehouse for safekeeping. ## Which of the following is NOT a possible outcome for goods in General Order after six months? - [x] They become part of an amusement park ride - [ ] They might be auctioned - [ ] They could be donated to charity - [ ] They may face seizure by the government > **Explanation:** While goods can face auction, donation, or government seizure, they do not magically become amusement park rides! ## How often does the U.S. Customs hold auctions for General Order goods? - [ ] Once a year - [x] Monthly - [ ] Every alternate Tuesday - [ ] At your neighbor's annual block party > **Explanation:** U.S. Customs holds auctions for General Order items on a monthly basis, providing everyone with a chance to snag a bargain! ## Is it possible to prevent goods from becoming a General Order? - [x] Yes, by ensuring all documentation is correctly submitted - [ ] Only if you sing to your goods - [ ] Use a magic spell - [ ] Hire a time traveler > **Explanation:** Proper documentation ensures goods clear customs timely, preventing them from going into General Order. ## Once classified, can goods in General Order be retrieved? - [x] Yes, with the correct documentation - [ ] Only if they magically decide to leave the warehouse - [ ] No, they are lost forever in the void - [ ] You have to perform a ritual to summon them > **Explanation:** As long as the required corrections are made, you can retrieve goods while they are in General Order! ## General Order status exists to address what? - [ ] Disappearing shipments - [x] Missing or incorrect documentation - [ ] A glitch in the Matrix - [ ] Monkeys throwing documents in the air > **Explanation:** General Order status is meant to handle situations where documentation is incomplete or incorrect, not to deal with metaphysical shipping issues! ## Customs audits regarding General Orders happen? - [ ] Never - [x] Frequently - [ ] Only on Fridays - [ ] When it rains > **Explanation:** Customs performs audits frequently to ensure compliance and manage General Orders effectively! ## What can happen to goods in General Order after they languish? - [ ] They turn into treasure maps - [x] Government may seize or auction them off - [ ] They can leave and start a new life in Mexico - [ ] They join a circus > **Explanation:** After six months, unclaimed goods may face seizure, auction, or donation; they unfortunately can't just run away! ## How do you prevent your goods from living the General Order life? - [x] Ensure all import documentation is accurate and timely submitted. - [ ] Provide daily motivational speeches to your shipment. - [ ] Make friends with customs officers. - [ ] Write inspirational quotes on each box. > **Explanation:** The best way to keep your goods from becoming a General Order scenario is maintaining accurate and timely paperwork!

Remember folks, don’t let your goods lose their way. Keep them on the right track with proper documentation and timely actions! 😊 Keep smiling, even when dealing with customs!