Recently, a large number of sea freight goods sent to the United States have been subject to a special and strict inspection under the code H5 by the US customs. The core ports in the west of the United States, such as Los Angeles and Long Beach, have become the hardest-hit areas. Thousands of Chinese containers have been detained and the risk of forced return has soared, causing the sellers' costs to skyrocket and the delivery time to collapse. This is not an ordinary inspection, but a zero-tolerance document review led by the new department of the US customs, Fast Doc Review. Once triggered, there is almost no way to reverse the situation.

Since 2026, the overall inspection rate of the US Customs has risen to around 10%, with the proportion of 5H inspections increasing significantly. The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have become the hardest-hit areas. 

Since the beginning of February, thousands of Chinese export containers have been triggered for 5H inspections, with the vast majority being due to document issues and directly entering the return process. Currently, there are almost no effective solutions within the industry.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has newly established a department called FAST DOC REVIEW, which mainly examines the qualifications of importers. This has directly led to a significant increase in the 5H inspection rate at various ports. 

The supporting detention codes have been fully activated. The customs has simultaneously deployed codes such as 4H/4I, 8H/8I, 9H/9I, and 6H/6I, automatically or manually detaining manifests with incomplete information. 

In short: Previously, it was done by manual sampling, but now the system conducts a full scan; previously, it was lenient and let things go, but now it is strictly reviewed and nothing is overlooked. 

5H is a disposition status code in the AMS/ACE system of the United States, which is a customs detention order. 

H = HOLD (Detain): The goods are locked and prohibited from release. 

I = Release: For example, 5I indicates the lifting of detention. 

Entry Processing HOLD 

Core Definition: Document Discrepancy Examination

5H Verification Logic: First, conduct textual review; then, carry out substantive investigation. 

Step 1: Review the invoice, packing list, and manifest, and compare the product name, consignee, value of goods, and the importers' qualifications. 

Step 2: No issues → Proceed directly; Issues exist → Transfer to unpacking for detailed inspection 

Step 3: Verify violations → Make up for the taxes, destroy the goods, and forcibly return them 

It is a typical case of "if the documents are not satisfactory, the death penalty will be imposed directly". 

According to the relevant provisions of Title 19 of the United States Code, the CBP may lawfully refuse the entry (return) of goods:

The goods do not meet the entry requirements (lack of certification, false consignee, etc.) 

There are reasonable indications suggesting that the goods were produced through forced labor. 

If the ruling is not completed within 30 days after the detention, the law will consider it as an automatic refusal of entry. 

This is why the 5H inspection process offers almost no room for negotiation. 

Industry consensus: The core trigger for this large-scale 5H detention was the extremely low declared value of the goods. 

In 2026, the customs clearance logic for the US market has completely changed:

Compliance > Cost

Taking a chance ≠ Opportunity

Low price ≈ High risk

In 2026, the strictness of customs clearance control, the accuracy of inspections, and the coverage of inspections by the US customs will continue to increase. Compliance has become the core prerequisite for cross-border sellers to deeply penetrate the US market. Han Yue International will closely monitor policy developments and simultaneously make preparations for alternative markets and backup supply chains to maintain flexibility. It will optimize market layout, preset alternative solutions, and enable shippers to maintain elasticity and resilience in the face of fluctuations. If you need the latest information or customized response plans, please contact our customer service.