In the challenging and opportunistic field of international freight transportation, sensitive cargo transportation has always occupied a unique and crucial position. However, the current situation of high inspection rates at US Customs has brought unprecedented pressure and challenges to sensitive cargo transportation. For freight forwarders, shippers, and the entire industry engaged in sensitive cargo transportation, it is of great importance to deeply understand the current situation, analyze the impacts, and formulate coping strategies. Next, let’s comprehensively and deeply explore this series of issues.

I. The Current Situation of High Inspection Rates at US Customs

Recently, the inspection rate at US Customs has increased significantly. This phenomenon has become the core topic of discussion in the international freight industry, especially in the field of sensitive cargo transportation. Although the previous rumor that the inspection rate soared to 70% was questioned by many, feedback from many industry insiders indicates that the inspection efforts of US Customs on various types of goods are indeed continuously and significantly increasing. And due to the characteristics of sensitive cargo, sensitive cargo transportation is more prominently affected.

Judging from the actual situations shared by freight forwarders, e – commerce sensitive cargo has become the top priority of inspections. For example, the inspection frequency, which was relatively stable in the past, has increased significantly. Sometimes, 3 out of 10 containers may be inspected, and the proportion of sensitive cargo containers is relatively high. In air freight, sensitive cargo is also not spared. It is not uncommon for two consecutive shipments of sensitive goods to be inspected, which was relatively rare in past sensitive cargo transportation.

Since January 11, 2025, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has implemented a new regulation. For goods purchased by the same recipient through different channels and delivered to the US or declared for import clearance on the same day, if the total value exceeds $800, the review process will be more stringent. This regulation undoubtedly adds more complexity and uncertainty to sensitive cargo transportation, making the already challenging sensitive cargo transportation face higher risks.

Moreover, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has also strengthened the inspection of specific categories of sensitive cargo. Sensitive categories such as children’s products, baby products, and bicycle helmets have all become key supervision and inspection objects. Internal statistical data visually presents the changing trend of the inspection rate. In some periods this year, the inspection rate has increased significantly.

It rose to 5.3% in the first week of March and further climbed to 6.5% in the second week. The inspection risk of sensitive cargo transportation has increased significantly. These data and actual cases fully demonstrate that the high inspection rate at US Customs has become a real dilemma that sensitive cargo transportation must face and urgently solve.

II. Comprehensive Impacts of High Inspection Rates on Sensitive Cargo Transportation

(I) Sharp Increase in Costs

Substantial Surge in Inspection Fees
In the past, the inspection fee for a single container was usually maintained at around $1000. But now, this fee has skyrocketed to $5000 – $6000. Such a huge increase has led to an estimated 30% – 50% surge in the logistics costs of shippers engaged in sensitive cargo transportation. This undoubtedly brings a heavy burden to the operating costs of sensitive cargo transportation enterprises, squeezes profit margins, and makes sensitive cargo transportation face huge challenges in terms of economy.

Rise in Storage Costs
Due to the extended detention time of sensitive goods during customs inspection, port storage fees have also increased significantly. The long – term detention leads to the continuous accumulation of storage fees, further pushing up the overall logistics costs of sensitive cargo transportation. This not only affects the economic benefits of a single transportation but also seriously disturbs the capital flow and operation planning of sensitive cargo transportation enterprises in the long term.

(II) Seriously Damaged Timeliness

Significant Prolongation of Inspection Cycles
Once upon a time, the average customs inspection cycle was about 3 days. But now, this time has been greatly extended. Generally, it takes 7 – 15 days. If it involves strict inspections by agencies such as the FDA and CPSC, the time may be even longer, up to 21 days or even more than 30 days. Such a long inspection cycle seriously disrupts the delivery plan of sensitive cargo transportation. Sensitive goods cannot reach the destination on time, which may not only miss the best sales opportunities but also have a huge impact on the stability of the entire sensitive cargo supply chain, affecting the normal operation of upstream and downstream enterprises.

(III) Intensified Challenges in Business Operations

Unprecedented Increase in Compliance Risks
US Customs is currently focusing on cracking down on illegal behaviors such as under – reporting the value of goods and mixed loading to avoid taxes, and the subsequent customs policies still tend to be continuously tightened. The inspection focuses cover many aspects such as intellectual property rights infringement, under – reporting of DTC parcels, and EPA/FDA controlled products, which are closely related to sensitive cargo transportation.

During the declaration and transportation of sensitive cargo, if an enterprise is slightly negligent, it may cross the red line of violations and face high – value fines or other severe penalties. This has significantly increased the compliance risks of sensitive cargo transportation enterprises compared with the past, and put forward higher requirements for the operation and management capabilities of enterprises.

Sharp Decline in Market Competitiveness
The increased uncertainty in the export process and the out – of – control logistics timeliness directly lead to a decrease in customer satisfaction. For independent stations engaged in sensitive cargo transportation, the return rate may increase as a result; the IPI scores of Amazon sellers may decline, leading to restrictions on storage capacity. These chain reactions seriously weaken the competitiveness of sensitive goods in the US market, affect the market share and business interests of sensitive cargo transportation enterprises, and put enterprises in a more disadvantaged position in market competition.

III. Strategies for Sensitive Cargo to Deal with High Inspection Rates

(I) Standardize the Declaration Process

Accurately Fill in Declaration Elements
When using the US Customs Tariff Schedule (HTS) system for declaration in sensitive cargo transportation, the commodity name must be accurate and detailed. For example, for “men’s pure cotton round – neck T – shirts” in sensitive cargo, it should not be simply written as “clothing”. The declared value should be filled in strictly according to the actual transaction price, and the difference from the market price should be ensured to be within ≤ 20%. For samples or gifts in sensitive cargo, they need to be clearly marked as “no commercial value” and attached with corresponding supporting documents.

The packing list should list in detail the quantity, net weight, gross weight, and size information of each box of sensitive goods, eliminating vague expressions to ensure that the customs can clearly understand the details of the goods, thereby reducing the inspection risk caused by unclear declarations.

Ensure Complete and Accurate Documentation
The commercial invoice, as a key document for sensitive cargo declaration, should cover important information such as transaction terms and payment methods. Origin certificates, such as FORM A/E, are indispensable when enjoying preferential tariff policies. Enterprises must ensure the authenticity and effectiveness of the certificates, especially for sensitive cargo transportation.

For special sensitive goods, corresponding FCC certification numbers, FDA registration codes, etc. need to be provided, and these information should be accurately entered into the ACE system in advance for the customs to quickly verify. Complete and accurate documentation is the basis for the smooth customs clearance of sensitive cargo and can effectively reduce the probability of inspection.

(II) Strictly Control the Attributes of Goods

Compliance Handling of Sensitive Goods
For high – risk categories of sensitive goods such as 3C electronics, medical devices, food and cosmetics, and dangerous goods, strict compliance measures must be taken. Taking lithium – ion batteries as an example, a UN38.3 report, MSDS, and compliant packaging are required to ensure transportation safety. For FDA – regulated products, the registration procedures should be completed in advance to ensure that the products meet relevant standards.

For branded sensitive goods, authorization letters or purchase invoices must be prepared to avoid suspected intellectual property rights infringement. Handling sensitive goods in compliance from the source is a key step in reducing the inspection risk of sensitive cargo transportation.

Avoid Abnormal Data Fluctuations
In sensitive cargo transportation, the weight error of goods should be strictly controlled within ≤ 5%. If there is a weight fluctuation, the reason needs to be noted in detail in the packing list. For high – value sensitive goods (single piece ≥ $2000), independent declaration is recommended to improve the transparency of goods information and reduce customs doubts. By precisely controlling the data of goods, customs inspections caused by abnormal data can be effectively avoided.

(III) Improve the Company’s Customs Clearance Credit

Actively Apply for C – TPAT Certification
If an enterprise can meet the supply chain security management standards and actively apply for C – TPAT certification, it is expected to enjoy a 30% – 50% reduction in the inspection rate. This not only helps to speed up the customs clearance of sensitive cargo transportation but also improves the company’s credit rating with the customs, providing convenience for subsequent sensitive cargo transportation business and enhancing the company’s competitiveness in the sensitive cargo transportation market.

Maintain a Good Import Record
Enterprises should always adhere to compliant operations, avoid illegal import behaviors, and prevent being included in CBP’s “high – risk enterprise list”. A good customs clearance record is an intangible asset of an enterprise in the field of sensitive cargo transportation. To a certain extent, it can reduce the frequency of customs inspections of sensitive cargo transportation, ensure the smooth transportation of sensitive goods, and establish a good industry image for the enterprise.

Choose Compliant Partners
During the process of sensitive cargo transportation, enterprises should carefully select partners and give priority to licensed customs brokers with professional qualifications and good reputations. Compliant partners are not only familiar with customs policies and procedures but also can effectively avoid risks brought by informal operations, ensure the smooth customs clearance of sensitive cargo transportation, and reduce inspection risks.

(IV) Pay Close Attention to Policy Dynamics

Track Regulatory Hotspots
Enterprises need to pay close attention to anti – dumping lists and various special operations issued by CBP, such as “Operation Safe Import”. Keep abreast of changes in customs supervision focuses and policies in a timely manner, and adjust the declaration and transportation strategies of sensitive cargo in advance to avoid an increase in inspection risks due to unclear policies. For sensitive cargo transportation enterprises, keeping up with policy dynamics is an important prerequisite for ensuring the smooth progress of business.

Leverage Data Tools
Reasonably use professional systems such as Descartes and Zonos to screen high – risk keywords in sensitive cargo information, such as “gifts”, “samples”, etc. Identify potential risks in advance through data analysis and take corresponding measures to respond, improving the accuracy and compliance of sensitive cargo declarations. Using data tools can effectively assist sensitive cargo transportation enterprises in dealing with customs inspections and improving transportation efficiency.

IV. Consequences and Handling Methods of Sensitive Goods Encountering Inspections

(I) Possible Consequences

1. Goods Detention and Delay
   Once sensitive goods are inspected, they are likely to be detained at the customs inspection site, resulting in a significant delay in delivery time. This may not only cause sensitive goods to miss key opportunities such as the peak sales season but also disrupt the entire sensitive cargo supply chain rhythm. For some sensitive goods with high – time – sensitivity, such as seasonal products or special perishable items, delays may cause irreparable economic losses.
2. Fines and Penalties
   If the customs discovers illegal behaviors such as under – reporting the value of goods, mixed loading to avoid taxes, and intellectual property rights infringement, shippers engaged in sensitive cargo transportation will face high – value fines. In serious cases, sensitive goods may even be confiscated and destroyed. This not only brings direct economic losses to enterprises but also may affect the reputation and subsequent business development of enterprises.
3. Damage to Corporate Reputation
   Frequent inspection problems will seriously affect the reputation of sensitive cargo transportation enterprises in the eyes of customers. Customers may reduce their satisfaction with the enterprise due to goods delays or quality issues, resulting in a decrease in subsequent orders. In a highly competitive market environment, corporate reputation is the foundation for standing. Reputation damage will have a negative impact on the long – term development of sensitive cargo transportation enterprises.
4. Inclusion in the Regulatory Blacklist
   Multiple violations or serious violations may cause sensitive cargo transportation enterprises to be included in the regulatory blacklist of US Customs. Once on the blacklist, subsequent sensitive cargo transportation will face more stringent inspections and supervision, and the operating difficulty of enterprises will be further increased. This means that the development of enterprises in the field of sensitive cargo transportation will be greatly restricted, and they may lose some market share and business opportunities.

(II) Handling Methods

1. Actively Cooperate with Customs Work
   After sensitive goods are inspected, shippers and freight forwarders should actively cooperate with customs work in a timely manner. Provide various documents and information required by the customs quickly and accurately, such as invoices, packing lists, and certification certificates, to ensure that the customs can complete the inspection work efficiently and accurately. Active cooperation helps to speed up the inspection process and reduce the detention time of goods.
2. Seek Professional Consultation and Appeal
   If an enterprise has objections to the customs inspection results, it can consult relevant professionals such as customs brokers and lawyers to understand the possibility and specific procedures for appeal. Under the premise of having sufficient evidence, file an appeal in accordance with the specified procedures to strive for a fair and reasonable solution. Professional consultation and appeal can provide strong support for enterprises to safeguard their rights and interests.
3. Strengthen Internal Management
   After the inspection, enterprises should conduct a comprehensive review of the entire sensitive cargo transportation process and declaration procedures. Deeply search for the root causes of problems, strengthen internal management and employee training, improve declaration procedures and documentation management, and fundamentally avoid the recurrence of similar problems. By strengthening internal management, enterprises can improve their own operation capabilities and compliance levels.
4. Communicate with Customers in a Timely Manner
   Enterprises should promptly inform customers of the inspection situation of sensitive goods, explain in detail the expected delay time and possible solutions. Through active communication, strive for customers’ understanding and support, and minimize the negative impact on customer relationships. Good customer communication can maintain customer relationships and lay the foundation for the long – term development of enterprises.

In conclusion, facing the current situation of high inspection rates at US Customs, although sensitive cargo transportation faces numerous challenges, as long as we deeply understand the policies, strictly abide by the regulations, and actively take countermeasures, we can reduce risks to a certain extent, ensure the smooth progress of sensitive cargo transportation, and promote the stable development of the sensitive cargo transportation industry.