Customs Clearance Status Codes: What Each Status Means for Your Shipment

In plain English: "customs clearance completed" means CBP has released your cargo, and "customs processing" means the entry is still under review. Every US customs status message maps to one of three states: cargo is moving through the pipeline, cargo is held for an issue, or cargo is released. Knowing which is which, and what the next action is, turns "Where is my shipment?" from a panic call into a routine check.

Forwarders and importers see dozens of status labels in tracking portals, ABI feeds, and carrier apps: "processing," "manifest hold," "released to broker," "PGA hold," "duty pending," "merchandise in bond." Each one has a specific meaning, a typical duration, and a clear next step. This decoder walks through the twelve status messages that account for almost every customer question, then shows how modern freight software surfaces them in real time so nothing gets stuck in a status you cannot see.

US CBP Customs Status Codes: Complete Reference Table

The twelve status messages below cover the routine and the exceptions. Exact wording varies by carrier portal, broker system, and ABI feed, so each row lists the plain English meaning, the typical duration, what the forwarder should do, and what the shipper should expect.

What Does "Customs Clearance Completed" Mean?

"Customs clearance completed" is the status every forwarder and shipper is waiting for. It confirms that CBP has finished its review of the entry, the invoice, and the manifest, has accepted the entry summary, and has released the cargo for domestic movement to the consignee or a bonded inland destination.

By the time this status appears, four things have happened in sequence:

• The Importer Security Filing (ISF) was submitted on time and matched by CBP against the arrival manifest.
• The broker filed the entry, either before arrival (pre filed) or at arrival, transmitting HTS classification, value, and country of origin.
• CBP processed the entry, checked it against risk targeting rules, and either released it or worked through any hold to a resolution.
• Duties, taxes, and fees were paid or accrued to a bonded PMS account.

In tracking portals, the same state is displayed as "Released," "Cargo released," "Entry released," or "1USG released." All four wordings mean the same thing. Once the cargo is released, the shipping line will make the container available to the trucker, and the delivery workflow begins.

The one situation where "customs clearance completed" is not the true finish line is when a Partner Government Agency is still involved. If FDA or another PGA is holding the shipment, CBP can show "released" while the cargo remains physically blocked at the port. Always confirm both CBP and PGA statuses before dispatching a trucker.

What Happens After "Import Customs Clearance Completed"

Once "import customs clearance completed" posts in the tracking portal, the shipment moves out of CBP control and into the domestic delivery leg. The typical sequence from that moment is:

• Same day, within hours. The shipping line flips the "available for pickup" flag. The trucker or drayage provider can be dispatched immediately.
• 1 to 2 business days. Full container load ocean freight leaves the terminal and arrives at the consignee or a CFS for deconsolidation. Air freight often reaches the consignee the same day or next day after release.
• 1 to 3 business days for parcel and courier shipments. The tracking event "import customs clearance completed" is followed by "arrived at facility," "out for delivery," or "delivered," depending on the last mile carrier.
• 2 to 5 business days for deconsolidated LTL freight moving from a CFS to a final door.

If the timeline slips beyond that window, the cause is almost never CBP. It is usually a drayage capacity issue, a chassis shortage, a missed appointment, or a carrier scan gap. Escalate to the trucker or the destination carrier, not to the broker.

"Import" vs "Domestic" Customs Clearance Completed

Two portal phrasings look similar but describe different points in the journey.

"Import customs clearance completed" means CBP in the destination country has released the shipment. This is the standard event a US importer sees on ocean, air, and courier tracking. Once it posts, the cargo is free to move to its final destination inside the country.

"Domestic customs clearance completed" is language used mainly by international courier carriers such as DHL, FedEx, and UPS. It signals that the shipment has cleared customs in the destination country and is now moving on a purely domestic leg. Functionally it is the same event as "import customs clearance completed"; the naming difference is the carrier's, not CBP's.

If tracking shows either phrase, treat it as "released" and expect delivery to progress on the carrier's normal domestic timetable.

"AMS Customs Clearance Completed"

"AMS customs clearance completed" refers to the Automated Manifest System, the electronic pipeline CBP uses to receive advance cargo data for ocean and air imports. When this status posts, it means the AMS filing has been transmitted, matched against the arrival manifest, and cleared by CBP.

It is a subtype of the broader "customs clearance completed" event. The "AMS" prefix simply identifies which filing channel cleared. Ocean AMS filings are submitted at least 24 hours before vessel loading at the origin port; air AMS filings are submitted before wheels up. Once AMS clears, entry release for the shipment usually follows on the standard timeline covered above. If the entry stalls after AMS shows completed, the block has shifted to the entry summary, a PGA review, or a duty step, not to the manifest.

"Customs Clearance Completed, Pending Scanning"

"Customs clearance completed, pending scanning" is a parcel and courier tracking status. It means CBP has released the shipment, but the destination hub has not yet scanned the package into its next leg system.

In practice this is a very short waiting state. The carrier hub receives the released shipment, and the "pending scanning" flag typically clears the same day or the next morning once the package hits an induction scanner. If the status stays unchanged for more than 48 hours, contact the carrier. The package may have been misrouted or a scanner event may have been skipped. This is a carrier operations issue, not a customs issue, so escalation belongs to the last mile carrier, not to the broker or CBP.

"Customs Clearance Completed in the Destination Country"

"Customs clearance completed in the destination country" is standard courier tracking language for international shipments. It confirms that customs in the country of delivery, not the country of origin, has released the shipment for domestic movement.

For a package moving from the US to Canada, this status means the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has cleared the shipment. For a shipment landing in Germany, it means German customs (Zoll) has released it. Once this event posts, the shipment enters the destination country's domestic delivery network and follows the local carrier's normal timeline. For the shipper, this event confirms the recipient will see the package within the standard local delivery window. For the recipient, it is the last customs event before "out for delivery."

What Does "Customs Processing" Mean?

"Customs processing" means the entry has been submitted and CBP is actively looking at it. It is a transitional status. The cargo has been declared, the broker has transmitted the data, and CBP's Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) is now deciding whether to release, hold, or refer to a PGA.

For a clean entry with correct HTS codes, matching manifest data, and no risk flags, the processing window is measured in minutes. Most straightforward ocean and air entries move from "processing" to "released" within two hours of transmission. Complex entries, entries with multiple HTS lines, and entries that touch commodities with tariff quotas or antidumping duties can sit in processing for several hours or a full business day.

If a shipment stays in "processing" for more than one business day, one of three things is usually happening:

• CBP has quietly flagged the entry for a closer look but has not yet issued a formal hold status.
• The broker has transmitted an entry with missing or inconsistent data and ACE is queueing an error.
• A tariff or trade remedy question is being reviewed at the port level.

The right action is a call to the broker, not to CBP. Brokers can pull the entry status directly from ACE and see if a specific rejection or hold has been triggered but not yet surfaced in the carrier portal.

Custom Clearance Completed Day: Timing Explained

The day the status flips to "customs clearance completed" depends on when the entry was filed, whether any hold was placed, and which port handles the shipment. For a typical US import shipment, the sequence looks like this:

1. 1
   Pre file window opens (5 days before arrival)
   Broker transmits the entry ahead of vessel or aircraft arrival. CBP reviews while the cargo is still moving.
2. 2
   Vessel or aircraft arrival
   If the entry was pre filed and cleared, status can flip to "released" the moment the vessel is on file at the port. Air freight often clears within hours of touchdown.
3. 3
   Discharge and manifest match
   Terminal reports the container discharged. CBP matches manifest to entry. Any mismatch triggers "not on file" or "manifest hold" before release.
4. 4
   Customs clearance completed day
   Status timestamp posts as the "customs clearance completed" or "released" moment. Same day as arrival for pre filed clean entries. One to three business days if the entry was filed at arrival or ran into a routine hold.

Two rules of thumb hold in practice. For ocean freight where the entry was pre filed, the customs clearance completed day is almost always the vessel arrival day or one business day after. For air freight where the entry was pre filed, it is often the same day as touchdown, within hours. Any delay beyond that window points to a specific hold, not to routine CBP processing time.

How Freight Software Tracks and Alerts on Customs Status

The gap between "released" appearing in ACE and the trucker actually knowing about it is where hours of avoidable delay live. Freight forwarders running on modern platforms close that gap with a live CBP status feed that pushes updates the moment they change.

GoFreight pulls customs status directly from ACE for every ocean and air shipment on the platform, then routes the update into the shipment record without anyone having to refresh a portal. That means the second a container goes to "released," the ops team, the shipper, and the trucker all see it. For customs specific workflows, the platform's Customs Management Software for Forwarders handles ISF, AES, and entry filing, tracks each status stage, and flags holds the moment CBP posts them.

For teams running high volume ocean import lanes, the same status feed is embedded in the Ocean Freight Management Software, so ops staff work off the shipment record itself rather than juggling a broker portal, the carrier app, and email. When paired with Workflow Automation Software for Forwarders, the status change can trigger a task in Action Center: notify the shipper, book the drayage move, or generate the delivery order. What used to be a manual round of five calls becomes a single automated step.

The compounding effect is not hypothetical. A forwarder handling 500 containers a month who cuts one hour off every "released to truck" hand off saves 500 hours a month. That is one full time position freed for higher value work, and it is the difference between a shipper seeing "released, in transit" the same morning and finding out about it the next day.

Common Customs Status Traps and How to Avoid Them

Most of the "why is my shipment stuck?" tickets come from a handful of repeatable traps. Building each of these into the standard operating procedure prevents almost every one.

1. Reading "processing" as a hold

"Processing" is not a hold. If an entry stays in processing for a few hours, that is normal. The operational rule is: if processing has held for more than one business day, escalate to the broker to check for a silent rejection. Do not call CBP directly. The broker has direct ACE visibility that a shipper does not.

2. Missing the difference between "released" and "released to broker"

"Released" means the cargo is free to move. "Released to broker" means CBP has finished its part, but the broker still owes a step (bond, duty, corrected document). If the trucker is dispatched on a "released to broker" status, the container will not be released at the gate, and the truck will sit racking up dry run charges.

3. Ignoring the PGA hold layer

CBP can show "released" while a PGA still has the shipment held. FDA, USDA, EPA, FWS, and CPSC all operate their own hold layer on top of CBP. Confirm both CBP and PGA are clear before dispatching. Always check ACE for the "PGA hold" flag on regulated commodities.

4. Not pre filing the entry

Entries can be filed up to five days before arrival. Pre filing lets CBP review while the cargo is in transit, so status can flip to "released" the moment the vessel is on file. Filing at arrival adds one to two business days to almost every shipment.

5. Trusting a stale portal refresh

Carrier portals refresh on their own cadence, sometimes hourly, sometimes not at all until someone logs in. The status you see may be minutes or hours behind actual ACE state. This is exactly what a live feed inside a freight platform is built to fix.

6. Missing the free time clock

Free time starts at arrival or discharge, not at release. A container held for a two day exam still burns two days of free time. The workflow rule is: book drayage the moment "released" hits, and factor exam duration into the demurrage exposure from day one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "customs clearance completed" mean?

"Customs clearance completed" means CBP has finished its review of the shipment and released the cargo for delivery to the consignee or an inland destination. All duties have been paid or bonded, all documents have cleared review, no hold has been placed, and the entry summary has been accepted. In portal wording it is also displayed as "Released," "Cargo released," or "Entry released." Once you see this status, the shipping line will release the container to the trucker, and the goods can move to the warehouse or final delivery point.

What does "customs processing" mean?

"Customs processing" means the shipment has been declared to CBP and CBP is actively reviewing the entry, the invoice, and the manifest before deciding whether to release, hold, or refer the cargo to a Partner Government Agency. It is a transitional status, not a hold. Most entries stay in processing for a few minutes to a few hours if data is clean and complete. If the status stays in processing for more than one business day, it usually means CBP has flagged the entry for a closer look or is waiting on missing data from the broker.

How long does customs processing take?

For a routine entry with complete documents, customs processing takes minutes to a few hours from the moment the broker transmits the entry. For entries flagged for exam or for a PGA review, processing can take one to five business days. If cargo is subject to FDA, USDA, or EPA review, add another one to three business days once CBP finishes its own review and refers the entry to the PGA.

How long after import customs clearance completed until delivery?

Once "import customs clearance completed" posts in tracking, delivery typically follows within 1 to 5 business days for standard freight and 1 to 3 business days for international courier shipments. Full container load ocean freight leaves the terminal within 1 to 2 business days if drayage is booked the moment the status flips. Air cargo often reaches the consignee the same day or the next day after release. Parcel and courier shipments update to "arrived at facility" or "out for delivery" within 1 to 3 business days. Any delay beyond that window is almost always a carrier or trucker issue, not a customs issue.

What does "domestic customs clearance completed" mean?

"Domestic customs clearance completed" is a status used mainly by international courier carriers such as DHL, FedEx, and UPS. It means customs in the destination country has released the shipment, and the package is now moving on a purely domestic leg to the recipient. Functionally it is the same event as "import customs clearance completed"; the wording difference is the carrier's, not the customs authority's. Treat it as "released" and expect delivery to progress on the carrier's normal timetable.

What does "AMS customs clearance completed" mean?

"AMS customs clearance completed" means the Automated Manifest System filing for the shipment has been transmitted, matched against the arrival manifest, and released by CBP. AMS is the electronic pipeline CBP uses to receive advance cargo data for ocean and air imports. Ocean AMS filings are submitted at least 24 hours before vessel loading at origin; air AMS filings are submitted before wheels up. When AMS status flips to "completed," entry release for the shipment usually follows within the standard timeline. If the entry stalls after AMS shows completed, the block has moved to the entry summary, a PGA review, or a duty step.

What does "customs clearance completed, pending scanning" mean?

"Customs clearance completed, pending scanning" is a parcel and courier tracking status. It means CBP has released the shipment, but the destination hub has not yet scanned the package into its next leg system. The wait is usually short. Most packages clear the "pending scanning" flag the same day or the next morning once they hit an induction scanner. If the status has not moved after 48 hours, contact the carrier; this is a carrier operations issue, not a customs one.

Why is my shipment stuck in customs?

A shipment sits in customs longer than expected for one of five reasons: CBP has placed a manifest hold because the arrival notice or bill of lading has a data mismatch, CBP has ordered a physical exam or an X ray, a PGA such as FDA is holding pending inspection or documentation, duties or fees are unpaid, or the entry has been rejected because a document is missing. Each hold appears as a specific status message in the portal, and the resolution depends on which hold is active.

What does "merchandise in bond" mean?

"Merchandise in bond" means the cargo is moving under a customs bond from the port of arrival to another inland port of entry where it will be formally cleared. The cargo has not been released for consumption. It is in transit under CBP control, and duties are not yet due. Once the cargo arrives at the destination port, the broker files a fresh entry, CBP processes it, and the status changes to "released" or moves into a hold.

What is a manifest hold?

A manifest hold is a stop placed by CBP on the ocean or air manifest before the entry is even filed, usually because the arrival manifest has a data mismatch, the shipper or consignee is on a watch list, or the vessel or flight itself has been flagged for exam. The container cannot move off the terminal until CBP clears the manifest. Resolution is on the carrier and broker to correct the manifest data and, if needed, coordinate an exam.

What does "PGA hold" mean?

"PGA hold" means a Partner Government Agency, such as the FDA, USDA, EPA, FWS, or CPSC, has placed a hold on the shipment for its own review. CBP has finished its part, but the cargo cannot be released until the PGA reviews required documents or performs its own inspection. FDA holds on food and drug shipments are the most common. The forwarder should confirm which agency is holding, gather the required paperwork, and, if an inspection is required, book the exam site.

What does "released to broker" mean?

"Released to broker" is a specific hold status that CBP uses when the entry has been cleared but the broker still needs to complete a step, such as posting a bond, paying duties, or supplying a corrected document. Once the broker completes that step, the status flips to "released" and the container is free to move. It is not a physical exam; it is a paperwork hand back.

What day does customs clearance typically complete?

For most ocean shipments arriving in the US, customs clearance completes the same day the vessel arrives or one business day after, provided the ISF was filed on time and the entry was pre filed. Air freight often clears within hours of touchdown. If the entry hits any hold, add one to five business days depending on the hold type. The "customs clearance completed day" appears in the tracking portal as the timestamp on the "Released" status.

What does "duty pending" status mean?

"Duty pending" means CBP has calculated the duty owed on the entry but the broker has not yet transmitted payment through the Automated Clearing House. The cargo cannot be released until the ACH statement is paid or the broker uses a Periodic Monthly Statement account. Most brokers clear duty pending status within a few hours by triggering a daily ACH sweep or confirming their PMS enrollment.

Keep Reading

• US Customs Clearance Process: Fees, Processing Time & Payments
• ISF Filing Software: Complete Guide for Freight Forwarders
• How Long Does Customs Clearance Take? US Timelines Explained