Customs 5H Inspection is frequently occurring at the Los Angeles/Long Beach port, with a rate as high as 30%.

 What is 5H Inspection?

5H is an Entry Processing Hold code in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (ACE/CBP) system, indicating that goods have been suspended from release due to document/declaration failure. It is not a tax or penalty, but rather a stringent review mechanism in the customs clearance process. Recently, its application has significantly expanded, leading to more stringent, frequent, and time-consuming customs clearance for Chinese exports.

 Why are "5H Inspections" Becoming Frequently Occurring?

Recently (starting after the 2026 Chinese New Year), feedback from cross-border sellers, freight forwarders, and customs brokers indicates:

 Thousands of ocean freight containers exported from China to the US have triggered 5H inspections, resulting in significant delays and even returns;

 The inspection surge is mainly concentrated in major West Coast ports such as Los Angeles and Long Beach;

 Customs requirements for the consistency, reasonableness, and compliance of declared data have increased significantly;

 The combination of system and manual review has led to a significantly higher trigger rate compared to previous years.

Impact of 5H Inspection

 For sellers/shippers, the main consequences are:

-Customs clearance delays (generally ranging from several days to several weeks)

-Large quantities of containers may be returned to China or require additional documentation

-Increased costs such as demurrage fees, container handling fees, and storage fees

-For Amazon FBA, it may lead to inbound delays or returns, impacting store performance

 Once a 5H inspection is triggered, if the documentation cannot be quickly completed, is invalid, or is deemed non-compliant, US Customs may directly require the return of the goods.

How We Minimize 5H Risks

Consistency between declared documents and actual goods (invoice, packing list, manifest, etc.)

Accurate and detailed description of goods & HS Code

Reasonable declared value & no abnormal underreporting

Ensure importer qualifications and bond validity

Provide necessary compliance certificates or declaration items (such as FCC, FDA, environmental protection, mandatory declarations, etc.)