What Is a General Order (GO) Warehouse? Miami Guide

A General Order (GO) warehouse is a customs bonded facility where CBP sends imported cargo that hasn’t been entered, claimed, or exported within 15 calendar days of arrival. Once freight goes into General Order, the importer faces mounting storage charges and, if it sits unclaimed for six months, the goods can be sold at government auction. If you import through PortMiami or Miami International Airport, understanding GO can save you serious money and stress.

How cargo ends up in General Order

The most common triggers are missing or incomplete entry documents, unresolved customs holds, disputes over ownership, abandoned shipments, and importers who simply miss the 15-day window after arrival. When that clock runs out, the carrier or terminal is required to move the freight to a Class 11 bonded GO warehouse, and the meter starts running.

What happens inside a GO warehouse

The GO warehouse receives the cargo under CBP supervision, records it, and stores it securely. The importer (or whoever holds rights to the goods) can still resolve the situation by filing a proper entry, paying duties and all accrued charges, and withdrawing the freight. Cargo can also be exported from GO instead of entered. After six months without action, CBP may send the goods to auction — and the proceeds rarely make anyone whole.

What General Order costs importers

GO storage rates are substantially higher than ordinary warehousing, and you’ll also owe transfer drayage, handling, and the original terminal charges. Add lost sales from inventory sitting in limbo, and prevention is dramatically cheaper than cure. The fix is unglamorous: file entries early, respond to CBP requests fast, and keep your broker supplied with documents before arrival. Our guide on customs holds and exams at the Port of Miami covers the upstream side.

Avoiding GO — and using bonded storage on your terms

Ironically, the best insurance against forced bonded storage is voluntary bonded storage. If your entry will be delayed — funding, paperwork, tariff timing — moving freight in-bond to a customs bonded warehouse of your choosing keeps you in control: normal commercial rates, up to five years of storage, and the option to enter or re-export when ready. Go Warehouse handles Class 11 GO cargo as well as voluntary bonded storage, plus U.S. Customs services like in-bond transfers (IT, T&E, IE) at its Miami facility.

Getting freight out of General Order

Act fast: identify where the cargo went (the carrier must tell you), get your broker to file the entry or export paperwork, pay duties and accrued GO charges, and schedule pickup. The earlier in the six-month window you act, the smaller the bill.

Frequently asked questions

How long can cargo stay in General Order?

Six months from the date of importation. After that, unclaimed goods may be sold at CBP auction or destroyed.

Can I export cargo out of GO instead of paying duties?

Yes — goods in General Order can be exported under CBP supervision without formal entry, which is often the smart play for unsellable or wrong-market inventory.

Who pays General Order charges?

The party that claims the goods. Charges accrue from day one in GO and must be settled before release.

Cargo stuck or headed to GO? Call Go Warehouse — Class 11 bonded storage and customs coordination in Miami. (786) 445-0150.