Since February 2026, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has launched large-scale enhanced inspections on Chinese sea freight shipments entering the U.S. The "5H Hold" has become one of the most concerned customs actions. Thousands of containers from China to the U.S. have been seized, delayed or even faced forced return risks at ports like Los Angeles and Long Beach due to customs document issues, attracting high attention from cross-border logistics and trade enterprises.
Industry insiders point out that this inspection is not a traditional random spot check, but an in-depth document review based on a stricter audit system. Once the 5H Hold is triggered, the container will enter a long review queue, and in some cases, there may be no chance to supplement documents, greatly reducing the customs clearance prospect after detention.
1. Structural Regulatory Upgrade Behind 5H Hold
1.1 Launch of Fast Doc Review Special Audit Mechanism
This round of inspection is closely related to CBP’s enhanced Fast Doc Review department in recent years. This department focuses on evaluating the authenticity and consistency of customs clearance documents, including[1][2]:
Whether the declared data is consistent with invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, etc.
Whether the commodity description fully covers the actual goods
Whether the importer’s qualification and customs bond information are compliant
Potential irregular risks such as under-declaration, misdeclaration or tax evasion
Different from previous manual spot checks, Fast Doc Review emphasizes strict consistency and full-process transparent log review. Once an abnormality is found, the release process will be suspended immediately
1.2 Preparation for Customs System Upgrade & Automated Rejection Mechanism
As early as 2025, CBP upgraded its Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) system. Since September 27, 2025, it has introduced an enhanced function to automatically reject incomplete manifest declarations: when customs documents lack cargo description, shipper or consignee information, the system will automatically refuse submission.
This technical upgrade laid the foundation for the strict implementation of the 5H Hold mechanism later. Meanwhile, supporting detention and release codes such as 4H/4I, 8H/8I, 9H/9I, 6H/6I were launched simultaneously to manually or automatically impose/remove detention on manifests with insufficient information.
It is worth noting that 5H is a legal cargo detention code in the U.S. AMS/ACE system, with H standing for Hold. Its official full name is Entry Processing HOLD, focusing on document discrepancy review, following the process of "document review first, physical inspection later".
2. Impact of Inspection: Logistics Delay & Cost Surge
The 5H Hold inspection has caused obvious impacts on the global supply chain and Chinese export enterprises:
2.1 Extended Logistics Cycle
Customs clearance delays have increased the detention time of containers at ports, resulting in backlogs of delayed containers at major entry ports. At present, the overall import inspection rate of U.S. customs has risen to about 10%, and the proportion of 5H Hold is increasing.
2.2 Significant Cost Increase
Due to the slow review progress, enterprises have to bear high additional costs such as port storage fees and demurrage fees. For some enterprises, these fees have even exceeded the value of the goods themselves.
2.3 Rising Return Risk
If the customs documents fail to meet the review requirements, some containers are even forced to return to the place of origin or cancel the import procedure at the destination port, putting enterprises at risk of unsalable goods and expanded losses.
According to the 19th Title of the U.S. Code, CBP can legally refuse the entry of goods and implement return if the goods do not meet the U.S. market access requirements, there are signs of forced labor production, or no compliance ruling is completed within 30 days after detention.
3. Enterprise Response Strategy: Compliance First
Facing the increasingly strict U.S. customs clearance environment, the industry suggests that export enterprises and cross-border logistics related parties take the following measures:
3.1 Review Customs Documents in Advance
Optimize the completeness and consistency of invoices, packing lists, bills of lading and other documents, and avoid under-declaration of goods value or vague information that triggers audit warnings. Under-declaration is the core trigger of 5H Hold.
3.2 Enhance Compliance Awareness
Ensure that commodity classification, value declaration and qualification documents all meet U.S. customs requirements. For different categories of products, prepare corresponding technical documents and inspection reports in advance (such as FCC, CPSC certificates). Consult professional customs clearance consultants when necessary.
3.3 Prepare Customs Clearance & Return Plans
Once the goods enter the strict inspection process, maintain real-time communication with the customs clearance agent, judge the response path as soon as possible, and minimize potential losses. For shipped goods, track the customs clearance status in real time.
Industry insiders emphasize that in the current U.S. trade law enforcement environment, "compliance" is still the core strategy to avoid major customs clearance risks and stabilize international trade business.
