Customs Exam from China to USA: VACIS, Intensive Exam, CES Fees, and Release Steps

A U.S. customs exam from China to USA means CBP or another government agency requires additional document review, X-ray scanning, physical inspection, or agency review before the cargo can be released. The shipment may already be at the port, airport, CFS, or CES, but final delivery should wait until the official release status is confirmed.

A customs exam does not automatically mean the shipment will be rejected or seized. However, it can delay delivery and create exam-related charges such as terminal handling, CES fees, bonded transport, storage, demurrage, detention, or re-delivery. If you ship under a well-defined DDP service, the forwarder may help coordinate more of these moving parts, but CBP can still examine the cargo.

Quick Answer: What Should You Do If Your Shipment Is Selected for Exam?

Step	What it means	What importer should do
Confirm the exam type	The shipment may be under VACIS, tailgate, intensive, USDA, PGA, or document review	Ask the broker or forwarder for the exact exam type and current status.
Confirm cargo location	Cargo may be at terminal, CFS, airport warehouse, CES, or in bonded movement	Ask where the cargo is physically located now.
Ask whether CES movement is required	Intensive exams often require movement to a Centralized Examination Station	Confirm bonded transport, CES facility, and who coordinates it.
Send requested documents quickly	CBP or the broker may need invoice, packing list, photos, payment proof, or compliance documents	Provide clean and consistent documents without changing facts.
Ask what fees may apply	Exam handling, CES, storage, chassis, demurrage, or re-delivery may occur	Ask whether fees are included, excluded, or billed at actual cost.
Wait for official release before delivery	A truck should not be dispatched before the exam hold is removed	Confirm release with the broker or forwarder first.
Keep exam invoices and records	Exam-related cost and timing may need future reference	Save CES invoices, terminal invoices, broker emails, and release records.

Importers cannot force CBP to release cargo faster. The practical response is to support the broker quickly, keep documents consistent, understand possible fees, and wait for official release before arranging final delivery.

DDP may simplify coordination, but it does not prevent customs exams. Exam fees, CES charges, storage, and re-delivery responsibility should be confirmed in writing before shipping.

For official context, CBP explains that cargo entering the United States may be examined to verify compliance with U.S. laws and regulations in its CBP cargo examination guidance.

Customs Exam vs Customs Hold: What Is the Difference?

A customs exam and a customs hold can both delay cargo, but they are not always the same issue.

Term	Meaning	What to ask
Customs hold	CBP or another agency has paused the release process	What hold code or status appears, and what response is needed?
Customs exam	CBP or another agency wants to inspect or review the cargo or documents	What exam type is ordered, and where is the cargo?
Customs release	CBP has released the cargo for import entry purposes	Is the hold removed in the system?
Cargo release	Terminal, CFS, airline, CES, or carrier allows physical pickup	Are terminal/CES fees paid, and is cargo available?

If your broker mentions a specific hold code, compare it with a broader customs hold from China to USA, 5H customs hold, or 9H customs hold explanation. This article focuses only on customs exams.

Types of U.S. Customs Exams

VACIS / X-Ray Exam

A VACIS exam is a non-intrusive X-ray scan. The container is usually not opened. Instead, the cargo is scanned so CBP can compare the image against shipment data or look for anomalies.

It usually happens at or near the port terminal. The importer should ask:

• Has the VACIS exam been completed?
• Did CBP request additional documents?
• Is the shipment released or escalated to another exam type?
• What terminal or handling fees may apply?

Tailgate Exam

A tailgate exam is a limited visual inspection. The container doors may be opened, and CBP may inspect visible cargo near the back of the container.

It is less disruptive than an intensive exam because the cargo is not usually fully unloaded. Importers should ask whether the cargo remains at the terminal, whether the seal was broken and replaced, and whether any additional exam has been ordered.

Intensive Exam

An intensive exam is the most disruptive common exam type. Cargo may be moved to a CES, unloaded, opened, segregated, inspected, and reloaded.

This can create more time and cost because it may involve bonded transport, CES labor, storage, reloading, and additional coordination. Importers should ask which CES is handling the cargo, what documents are requested, and what fees may be expected.

USDA / Agriculture Inspection

A USDA or agriculture-related inspection may focus on pests, wood packaging, plant materials, or other agriculture risks. For shipments from China, wood pallets or crates may be checked for proper treatment and markings.

Importers should confirm whether wood packaging is used and whether the supplier followed the required treatment or marking rules. If the shipment contains agricultural or wooden materials, prepare supporting details early.

PGA Review

A Partner Government Agency review may involve agencies such as FDA, FCC, EPA, CPSC, or USDA depending on the product. The review may focus more on compliance documents than on ordinary freight documents.

Importers should ask what agency is involved, what documents are needed, and whether the broker already submitted the required data. Product photos, test reports, certifications, or manufacturer details may be requested.

What Is a CES in a Customs Exam?

CES means Centralized Examination Station. For intensive exams, cargo may be moved under bond to a CES where workers unload, open, segregate, reload, or hold cargo while CBP examines it.

CES item	What it means	Why it matters
Bonded movement	Unreleased cargo moves from terminal to CES under bonded control	Creates bonded transport cost and needs coordination.
Unloading	CES workers remove cargo from the container or shipment unit	Labor fees may apply.
Physical inspection	CBP reviews the cargo, packaging, labels, or selected cartons	Release depends on CBP or agency review.
Reloading	Cargo is reloaded after inspection	Additional labor and handling cost may apply.
Storage	Cargo waits at terminal or CES during the exam process	Daily storage may apply after free time.
CES invoice	Facility invoice for exam-related work	Usually must be paid before cargo release or final delivery.

A CES exam is not controlled by the importer or forwarder. The forwarder can coordinate, track, and communicate, but CBP and the CES control the exam process and release timing.

Why Are Shipments from China Selected for Customs Exam?

Some exams are random. Others may be triggered by shipment data, product risk, importer history, document mismatch, or agency requirements.

Possible reason	What it may mean	What to prepare
Random CBP selection	Shipment is selected for routine enforcement	Wait for exam completion and provide documents if requested.
Vague product description	Invoice does not clearly describe the goods	Use specific product name, material, and use.
Inconsistent invoice and packing list	Quantity, weight, or carton details do not match	Provide corrected explanation through the broker.
HS/HTS code concern	Classification may not match the product	Prepare product specs and broker classification support.
Declared value concern	Invoice value may seem unusually low	Prepare proof of payment matching the transaction value.
IP/trademark concern	Goods may resemble protected brand or design	Prepare authorization documents if relevant.

If classification is a key concern, review HS code for imports from China to USA before future shipments. If the cargo moves by ocean, ISF filing from China to USA should also be consistent with shipment details.

How Long Does a Customs Exam Take?

There is no guaranteed customs exam timeline. Timing depends on port workload, CBP availability, CES backlog, document response time, exam type, and whether another agency is involved.

Exam type	Typical timing pattern	What affects timing
VACIS / X-ray	Often shorter than intensive exams	Terminal schedule, scanner availability, CBP review, and whether escalation occurs
Tailgate	Often several additional days	Officer availability, terminal access, and follow-up questions
Intensive exam	Can take longer	Bonded transport, CES backlog, unloading, CBP inspection, reloading, and storage
USDA / agriculture	Varies by inspection and finding	Agriculture specialist availability, wood packaging issues, treatment, or re-export decisions
PGA review	Varies widely	Agency backlog, document completeness, product type, and compliance data
Document-related exam	Depends heavily on response time	How quickly the importer provides complete and consistent documents

Do not schedule final delivery only based on vessel arrival or flight arrival. During a customs exam, final delivery should be planned after official release and cargo availability are confirmed.

What Fees Can Apply and Who Pays?

Exam fees are usually logistical or facility charges, not import duties. They can come from the terminal, CES, bonded trucker, carrier, broker, or warehouse.

Fee / setup	When it may apply	Who usually pays or what to confirm
Exam or terminal handling fee	Cargo is positioned, scanned, or handled for inspection	Importer or responsible party usually pays.
CES unloading / reloading	Intensive exam requires cargo to be opened and handled	Confirm CES invoice and labor charges.
Bonded transport	Cargo moves from terminal to CES under bond	Confirm who arranges and pays bonded drayage.
Storage	Cargo waits at terminal, CFS, or CES beyond free time	Ask free time and daily rate.
Demurrage / detention	Container is delayed at port or not returned on time	Confirm carrier free days and who pays delay charges.
Chassis	Container stays on rented chassis during delay	Ask whether chassis charges apply.
Broker additional service fee	Broker spends extra time coordinating exam response	Confirm broker fee policy.
DDP quote scope	DDP shipment faces exam-related charges	Confirm whether exam, CES, storage, re-delivery, and communication are included or excluded.

The Importer of Record or the party responsible under the shipment agreement usually pays exam-related charges. If you are using DDP shipping from China to USA, DDP may simplify communication and billing, but exam fees are only included if the written DDP quote says so.

For cost category differences, read import duty from China to USA. Import duty is not the same as CES fees, storage, bonded transport, or exam handling charges.

What Documents May Be Requested During a Customs Exam?

During an exam, CBP or another agency may request documents to verify product identity, value, classification, origin, or compliance.

Document	Why it may be requested	What to check
Commercial invoice	Verifies seller, buyer, product description, quantity, and value	Make sure it reflects the actual transaction.
Packing list	Helps locate cartons and verify physical shipment details	Carton count, weight, and dimensions should match.
Proof of payment	Supports declared value	Payment record should match invoice value.
Product photos	Helps identify the goods quickly	Show product, packaging, labels, and materials.
Material / use explanation	Supports HTS classification and product understanding	Explain material, function, and intended use clearly.
Product compliance documents if applicable	Supports agency review	Prepare test reports, certificates, registrations, or authorization documents.

HTS code support may also be requested if classification is questioned. Avoid sending inconsistent revised documents unless the broker explains how the correction should be made.

What Should You Do During a Customs Exam?

Use this practical checklist:

• Ask the broker for the exam type. VACIS, tailgate, intensive, USDA, PGA, or document review require different expectations.
• Confirm cargo location. The cargo may be at port, CFS, airport warehouse, CES, or in bonded movement.
• Ask if CES movement is required. Intensive exams often create bonded transport and CES fees.
• Send requested documents quickly. Invoice, packing list, product photos, proof of payment, and compliance documents should be ready.
• Ask what fees and free time may apply. Check storage, demurrage, detention, CES, and re-delivery exposure.
• Avoid submitting inconsistent revised documents. Corrections should be coordinated through the broker.
• Wait for official release before arranging final delivery. Do not dispatch trucks based only on vessel arrival or informal updates.

If your forwarder offers DDP service, this is where DDP can be especially useful: one logistics coordinator can help track exam status, broker communication, fee responsibility, and final delivery after release. The key is to confirm what the DDP quote covers before shipping.

DDP, Amazon FBA, and Customs Exams

DDP and Customs Exams

DDP does not prevent customs exams. CBP can select DDP shipments for VACIS, intensive exam, PGA review, or document review just like any other shipment.

The advantage of a well-managed DDP service is operational simplicity. The buyer may not need to separately coordinate broker communication, duty-paid scope, destination handling, and final delivery. However, DDP should be confirmed in writing:

• Are customs exam fees included or billed separately?
• Are CES charges included or billed at actual cost?
• Are storage, demurrage, detention, or re-delivery included?
• Who communicates with the broker during the exam?
• What documents does the buyer still need to provide?

A good DDP quote should make the customs exam process easier to coordinate, not pretend exams cannot happen.

Amazon FBA and Customs Exams

Amazon does not act as Importer of Record for third-party sellers and does not handle exam fees or CBP document requests. Final FBA delivery must wait until official release.

If the exam delay causes the delivery appointment to expire, the forwarder may need to reschedule the Amazon delivery after release. For broader FBA logistics planning, see Amazon FBA shipping from China to USA.

How to Reduce Customs Exam Risk Before Shipping

Random exams cannot be prevented. But importers can reduce document-triggered exam risk by preparing cleaner shipment data before departure.

• Use accurate commercial invoice descriptions.
• Use actual transaction value.
• Confirm HS/HTS code with broker support when needed.
• Prepare a consistent packing list.
• Check regulated product documents before shipping.
• Send documents to the broker or forwarder before arrival.

For DDP shipments, the same preparation matters. The forwarder still needs accurate product description, value, packing list, and compliance information to coordinate the entry and respond if CBP asks questions.

What Information Should You Send for Exam Support?

If your shipment is already selected for exam, organize the information below before contacting your broker or forwarder.

Information needed	Why it helps
Shipment tracking / BOL / AWB	Identifies the exact shipment and entry.
Exam notice if available	Shows exam type or hold status.
Cargo location if known	Helps track terminal, CFS, airport, or CES status.
Commercial invoice	Supports product description, value, and seller/buyer data.
Packing list	Supports carton count, weight, dimensions, and cargo identification.
Product photos	Helps explain the goods quickly.
Material and use explanation	Supports classification or agency review.
HS/HTS code	Shows classification used or proposed.
Proof of payment	Supports declared value.
Importer of Record details	Confirms responsible party.
Customs bond information	Supports formal entry if needed.
Compliance documents if applicable	Supports PGA review.
Amazon FBA shipment ID if applicable	Helps reschedule final delivery after release.

How Fasary Logistics Helps with Customs Exam Support

Fasary Logistics helps importers organize exam-related information and coordinate the practical next steps with the relevant parties. For DDP shipments, we also help clarify what is included in the duty-paid scope and what may be billed separately if an exam occurs.

What you send	What Fasary checks	Why it matters
Exam notice and shipment number	Exam type and status	Helps identify whether the issue is VACIS, intensive, PGA, or document-related.
Cargo location	Terminal, CFS, airport, CES, or bonded movement status	Helps avoid guessing where the cargo is.
Invoice, packing list, photos, and product details	Document organization	Helps prepare information for broker coordination.
Broker or forwarder updates	Current response path	Helps align communication and next steps.
Fee notices or invoices	Possible exam, CES, storage, or re-delivery costs	Helps understand cost exposure.
DDP quote if applicable	Exam fee scope and responsibility	Helps confirm whether charges are included or excluded.
Amazon FBA details if applicable	Appointment and rescheduling needs	Helps plan final delivery after release.

Fasary Logistics does not guarantee customs release, exam timeline, fee amount, no storage, no delay, or CBP decision outcome. Final release depends on CBP or agency review.

FAQ

What is a customs exam from China to USA?

A customs exam is a CBP or agency review before cargo release. It may involve document review, X-ray scanning, physical inspection, or product compliance review.

What is the difference between customs hold and customs exam?

A customs hold is a release pause or status. A customs exam is an inspection or review action. Some holds lead to exams, but not every hold is a physical exam.

What is a VACIS exam?

A VACIS exam is a non-intrusive X-ray scan. The container is usually not opened unless CBP decides additional inspection is needed.

What is an intensive exam?

An intensive exam is a physical inspection. Cargo may be moved to a CES, unloaded, opened, inspected, and reloaded before release.

What is a CES fee?

A CES fee is a facility or handling charge related to intensive exam work, such as bonded movement, unloading, inspection support, reloading, or storage.

How long does a customs exam take?

There is no guaranteed timeline. Timing depends on exam type, port workload, CBP availability, CES backlog, agency review, and document response time.

Who pays customs exam fees?

The Importer of Record or the responsible party under the shipment agreement usually pays. For DDP shipments, exam fees may be included or excluded depending on written quote scope.

Conclusion

A customs exam from China to USA means CBP or another agency needs additional review before release. It does not always mean rejection, but it can delay final delivery and create exam-related charges.

The best response is to confirm exam type, cargo location, requested documents, possible fees, and official release status before arranging final delivery. If you use DDP, make sure the written quote explains exam fee scope, storage responsibility, CES charges, and post-release delivery coordination.

If your shipment has been selected for a U.S. customs exam, send Fasary Logistics your exam notice, invoice, packing list, product details, cargo location, DDP quote if applicable, and broker updates. We can help review the next practical steps before final delivery.