Holds Procedures

The latest status of your import container can be found using the Track & Trace module on our homepage. Below you will find an explanation of the different types of holds that may apply to your cargo and how to handle them as efficiently as possible.

Placed by the steamship line. If the steamship line states that they do not have a hold on your container, have the steamship line directly email TSC@APMTERMINALS.COM to remove the hold.

Placed by CBP. If you have documentation that your container has been removed from customs holds, please have a steamship line rep or a CBP officer email TSC@APMTERMINALS.COM to manually update the container or bill of lading status. For a full list of official hold codes used by CBP see the CBP disposition codes document.

Placed by the terminal. Fees are due to the terminal. Pay these fees at: https://tops.apmterminals.com

Maersk, MSC, Evergreen - demurrage is paid directly to the steamship line. Once paid and LINE hold removed, the cargo is released, even if a value us showing in the demurrage column.

Zim – Requires a split payment. Zim’s portion is paid directly to the steamship line and the terminal costs are paid direct to the terminal at: https://tops.apmterminals.com

Any other line not listed above can be paid in full at: https://tops.apmterminals.com

7H hold is a Vacis exam required. These are performed on terminal. Once the container discharges from the vessel, the terminal team will move it to an exam location. At this time a VACI$ hold will be placed on the container (normally within 24 hours of vessel discharge). CBP will them perform an exam within 1 to 2 business days. Once CBP is complete, they will remove the 7H hold.

For you to remove the VACI$ hold, a payment will have to be made to the terminal for setting up the exam. Those payments can be made on the web site and are immediately available for pickup if you use: https://tops.apmterminals.com

If you would like to use Pay-Cargo, please login to the TOPS payment site 1st, and then select Pay-Cargo. There are no additional fees. However, if you do not go through the above TOPS site, the Pay-Cargo release will be delayed until the following day.

Shipside Vacis hold is put in place to pay for that process. These exams are already complete and only fees are due to clear the cargo. Pay via TOPS: https://tops.apmterminals.com

If you would like to use Pay-Cargo, please login to the TOPS payment site 1st, and then select Pay-Cargo. There are no additional fees. However, if you do not go through the above TOPS site, the Pay-Cargo release will be delayed until the following day.

Rail Containers

Vacis and Shipside exams follow the same process as above. Once cleared, APM Terminals will load to rail within 1 business day.

Intensive exams handled off site in Mobile, AL.

APM Terminals does NOT perform the dray from terminal to exam site.

Most truckers are bonded in Mobile, AL and are approved to take container to exam. You can verify on drayage.com

Provide the steamship line with your trucker SCAC so they can assign them as in-bond carrier. This is NOT a customs PTT. You must inform the steamship line of your trucker SCAC and they assign this SCAC in their system and the APM Terminals System. If your steamship line rep is having issues with this process, have them email TSC@apmterminals.com

Drayage provider makes the pickup and takes to appropriate designated CES. In Mobile, AL this will likely be John Fayard Warehousing at 6030 Rangeline Rd.

Once exam is complete, your drayage provider and the CES station will communicated for cargo pickup. Your trucker communicates and schedules consignee delivery directly from the CES (cargo does not need to come back to the terminal in 95% of the cases).

Rail Containers

Intensive exams should also follow the process above with these added details:
- Drayage provider should be informed to return cargo to rail facility.
- Email TSC@apmterminals.com to set the move as “Dray Out and Back”
- Once returned from exam, it will be scheduled on the next available train

Holds Procedures

Rail Containers

Rail Containers

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Holds Procedures

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