Carrier portals often compress several government events into short status labels. That creates confusion because “released,” “cleared,” “entry summary filed,” and “liquidated” are not the same customs event. A shipment can be released for delivery while CBP still has months before liquidation finalizes duty.
| Status | Plain-English meaning | Importer action |
|---|---|---|
| Information received | Carrier or broker has shipment data, but CBP may not have released cargo yet. | Confirm invoice, packing list, HTS, bond, and POA are ready. |
| In customs clearance | Entry/release data is under CBP or automated review. | Ask broker whether there is a specific hold or just normal processing. |
| Customs hold | CBP has stopped release pending documentation, exam, payment, or review. | Get the hold reason from ACE and respond with targeted documents. |
| PGA review | FDA, USDA, EPA, CPSC, FCC, or another agency must clear the goods. | Prepare agency-specific records such as prior notice, labels, permits, or product specs. |
| Exam selected | CBP has selected the shipment for VACIS, tailgate, intensive, or another exam. | Budget time for exam scheduling, drayage, warehouse, demurrage, or storage. |
| Released | CBP has authorized cargo release. | Coordinate delivery, but keep entry documents audit-ready. |
| Clearance completed | Carrier-facing status usually meaning release is complete and delivery can proceed. | Confirm duties and entry summary were handled correctly. |
| Entry summary filed | Form 7501 data and estimated duties have been submitted. | Review classification, value, origin, and duty amounts before liquidation. |
| Liquidated | CBP has made the duty calculation final unless protested or reliquidated. | Check whether refunds, protests, or post-entry corrections are still possible. |
Why a status can be misleading
A parcel carrier may say “customs cleared” when cargo is released, but the legal entry record may still be subject to liquidation, post-summary correction, CBP Form 28 requests, or duty changes. For commercial importers, the broker’s ACE status is more useful than the carrier-facing wording.
What to ask your broker when cargo is stuck
- Is this a CBP hold, PGA hold, carrier delay, or exam?
- Has cargo release been accepted?
- Has the entry summary been filed and were duties paid?
- Which document or data element is blocking release?
- What is the expected next CBP or PGA event?
Official reference: CBP’s entry summary and post-release process overview.
Decision tree when a shipment is not moving
- Confirm the source of the status. Carrier portals, broker dashboards, terminals, and ACE may use different wording.
- Ask whether cargo release was accepted. If release has not been accepted, focus on entry data, bond, POA, manifest, and document gaps.
- Ask whether a hold exists. If there is a CBP or PGA hold, get the exact reason code or request.
- Separate exam from paperwork. An exam requires logistics coordination; a document request requires proof.
- Confirm payment and entry summary timing. Release does not end the importer’s duty and recordkeeping obligations.
Carrier status vs broker status
The carrier status answers “can the shipment move through the carrier network?” The broker status answers “what has CBP accepted or requested?” When the two conflict, ask the broker for the ACE event and the carrier for terminal or delivery availability. A shipment may be customs released but still unavailable because of terminal holds, freight charges, demurrage, exam transfer, or delivery appointment backlog.
Status phrases importers should not ignore
- Documents required: usually means invoice, packing list, origin, PGA, or product details are missing or inconsistent.
- Intensive exam: cargo may be moved to a Centralized Examination Station and incur storage, drayage, and exam fees.
- FDA hold: food, drugs, devices, cosmetics, or other FDA-regulated goods need agency review before release.
- Bond insufficient: the importer’s bond may not cover the entry or annual duty exposure.
- Entry rejected: the filing has a data error that the broker must correct before CBP can proceed.
What “clearance completed” does not mean
It does not necessarily mean CBP has reviewed every fact forever, that duty is final, that the importer is safe from audit, or that a later Form 28 cannot arrive. It means the release event for the shipment is complete in the system showing the status. Importers should still review the entry summary, duty calculation, HTS classification, origin, and PGA filings after delivery.
Who can actually change the status?
Different parties control different parts of the status chain. The broker can correct entry data and transmit documents. CBP controls release, holds, and exams. PGAs control agency admissibility decisions. The carrier or terminal controls freight availability after release. The importer controls how fast missing commercial, origin, product, or payment information gets back to the broker.
The fastest path is usually to ask one precise question: what exact event is blocking the next step? That keeps the team from confusing a carrier delay with a customs problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does customs clearance completed mean delivered?
No. It usually means customs release is complete, but delivery still depends on the carrier, freight forwarder, terminal, drayage, and appointment timing.
Can a shipment be released before duty is final?
Yes. Cargo release and final liquidation are different events. CBP can release the cargo while the entry summary and later liquidation process still determine the final duty record.
What should I do if tracking says customs hold?
Ask the broker for the specific ACE hold or exam reason. Then respond with the exact document requested rather than sending a generic paperwork packet.
Need a customs answer before you file?
Send Greenwich Mercantile the product, origin, value, and shipping facts. We will tell you what needs broker review before the entry moves.