A General Order (GO) is a processing status assigned to freight imported to the U.S. but not properly documented or not cleared promptly through customs. The commodities under GO are transferred to a General Order warehouse upon remaining uncleared by customs after 15 days. Since they are usually expensive, the cost of storage and shipping is borne by the shipper.
Commodities that remain under the General Order status beyond six months are subject to auction or seizure. Usually organized by U.S. Customs, auctions are held online throughout the country every month, or hosted on-site at public venues around the local ports.
