What is a general order warehouse?

A warehouse that takes US imports not entered by the 15th calendar day after landing. The goods stay there at the consignee's risk and expense until they are entered.

How long can goods stay in temporary storage in the EU?

90 days, under Article 149 of the Union Customs Code. By then they must be placed under a customs procedure or re-exported.

What happens to uncleared cargo in India?

Under section 48 of the Customs Act, goods not cleared within 30 days of unloading — or a longer time the officer allows — may be sold after notice to the importer.

Term

General order (uncleared cargo)

General order is the US term for imported goods not entered with customs in time: after 15 calendar days they are moved to a general order warehouse at the consignee's risk and expense. Other places set their own limits — 90 days in EU and UK temporary storage, 30 days in India before goods may be sold.

Also called general order warehouse, GO warehouse, unclaimed cargo, temporary storage time limit, overtime cargoUpdated 14 October 2026

Time limits by country

Where	Limit	Then
US — 19 CFR 4.37	Until the 15th calendar day after landing	General order warehouse, at the consignee's risk and expense
EU — Union Customs Code, Article 149	90 days in temporary storage	Goods must be placed under a customs procedure or re-exported
UK	Up to 90 days in a temporary storage facility	The full customs declaration and payment of import VAT and duty
India — Customs Act, section 48	30 days from unloading, or longer if the officer allows	The goods may be sold after notice to the importer
Dubai — Customs auction policy, 2008	Three months for containerised cargo	Unclaimed goods go to auction

In the US, the carrier must notify CBP no later than 20 calendar days after landing of goods still unentered, and a carrier that fails to can face a penalty of up to $1,000 per bill of lading. 19 CFR 127.1 sets out what counts as general order merchandise.

Worked example: one box, two ports

Container lands in Los Angeles on 1 March, no entry filed → day 15 is 16 March → moved to a general order warehouse, storage at the consignee's risk and expense · the same box presented in Rotterdam on 1 March → 90 days of temporary storage, to about 30 May

Limits from 19 CFR 4.37 and Article 149 of the Union Customs Code; the dates are illustrative.

The mistake people make

Treating the carrier's free time and the customs clock as one deadline. Free time decides when demurrage starts; the customs limit decides when the goods are moved or sold. A consignee who lets both run out pays the carrier and the warehouse.

FAQ