Exam Type Identification
We identify what type of exam CBP has selected — VACIS, tailgate, intensive, document review — and communicate what that means for timing and process.
CBP Exams & Holds
CBP Exam Coordination Support
When cargo is flagged for a CBP exam, AP Customs coordinates the response — CES/CFS scheduling, documentation, trucking communication, and clear status updates — so your team knows what is happening and what comes next.
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Why Exam Coordination Matters
CBP decides which shipments to examine. An exam can happen to any shipment, no matter how well the entry was prepared, and neither the importer nor the broker can cancel it or set its timing. What separates a manageable exam from an expensive one is how quickly and clearly the response is coordinated once CBP has flagged the cargo.
"CBP has a hold" is not useful information. Your importer customer needs to know what kind of exam, who is coordinating it, what the CES/CFS location is, what trucking changes are needed, what documents may be required, what charges may apply, and what a realistic timeline looks like.
For NVOCCs and freight forwarders, a poorly communicated exam creates a customer service problem on top of a logistics problem. AP Customs handles the coordination and communication — under a licensed U.S. customs broker (Mauricio Larenas, CHB #42750) — so your team can respond to your customers with real information.
How AP Customs Handles CBP Exams
CES/CFS Coordination
We coordinate with the exam facility (CES or CFS), confirm scheduling, and ensure the shipment is properly staged for exam.
Trucking Communication
We notify truckers and logistics parties of hold status, CES location, and scheduling changes so delivery plans can be adjusted early.
Documentation Gathering
When CBP requests additional documentation — invoices, packing lists, country of origin records, prior entries — we gather and submit promptly.
Status Updates
We provide clear updates at each stage: exam scheduled, cargo moving to CES, exam complete, release confirmed. Not just "still waiting."
Post-Exam Follow-Up
After release, we confirm all holds are cleared, charges are communicated, and delivery can proceed without further issues.
Who Controls What During an Exam
An exam involves several parties, and being clear about who decides what is the first thing that calms the situation. The most important line is the one you cannot move: CBP owns the exam decision.
You / the importer
- Remain the importer of record and, in most cases, bear the CES exam and related handling fees — though the specific arrangement may vary by contract.
- Authorize the response and cover drayage, storage, demurrage, and per-diem while cargo is held.
- Provide any additional documents CBP requests — invoices, packing lists, country-of-origin records, or prior entries.
- Decide, with counsel where appropriate, whether to file a protest of a CBP decision within the deadline.
AP Customs
- Identify the exam type CBP selected and explain what it means for timing and process.
- Coordinate CES/CFS scheduling and staging, and keep truckers and logistics parties informed of hold status and location.
- Gather and submit the documentation CBP requests, and keep you updated at each stage through release.
- Communicate on your behalf — you do not contact CBP directly to dispute an exam selection; it is coordinated through the broker.
What neither side controls: CBP decides whether to examine a shipment, which exam type to run, the sequence, and how long it takes. Neither the importer nor AP Customs can cancel an exam, move it up the queue, or commit to a release time. We coordinate and communicate — we do not control CBP's decisions or timing.
Dealing With a CBP Exam or Hold?
If your current broker is leaving you with vague status updates during exams, or your team is coordinating exam logistics directly, a process review can identify where the gaps are.
Related Resources
- CBP Exams: What Importers Need to Know Types of CBP exams, what triggers them, and how to manage the process.
- What NVOCCs Should Look for in a Customs Broker How NVOCCs should evaluate whether their broker can handle exam coordination properly.
- How Freight Forwarders Should Choose a Customs Broker Broker evaluation criteria for freight forwarders, including exam handling.