Area Port of San Francisco
CBP Examination for Trade and Agriculture 10X Hold Requirement
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this Information Notice is to notify Terminal Operators and the trade community of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) requirement for controlled drayage of container shipments presented for CBP examination for Trade and Agriculture (10X) holds at the Oakland Seaport, Area Port of San Francisco.
Effective July 27 2026, Customs Brokers and Importers responsible for container shipments that have been selected for Trade or Agriculture (10X) exams will no longer have the option to select their own trucker to transfer the container from the terminal to the Centralized Examination Station (CES).
These CBP trade and agriculture exams will be directed under a CBP-controlled method of container movement via the CES trucker or contractor. For the purposes of this notice, “CES trucker” refers to a motor carrier affiliated with or contracted by the CES Operator to perform controlled drayage movements, as required by CBP.
The requirement for container movement via the CES trucker or contractor will also apply to CBP-mandated re-exportation of cargo for the movement of freight from the CES to the shipping terminal.
BACKGROUND:
There is a growing trend of inbound cargo subject to inspection being diverted for the purposes of evading CBP examination. As a result of these ongoing diversion schemes, the Port Director deems it necessary that CBP mandate controlled drayage of the container from the port of arrival to the CES by the CES Operator.
Additionally, the Port Director will be closely reviewing in-bond movement authorization under 19 CFR 18.1(f).
The basis for this authority stems from 19 CFR 151.15(d), which states:
(d) Designation of bonded movement and CES to be used. In the event the port director deems it necessary, he may direct the type of bonded movement to be used to transfer merchandise to a CES and may designate the CES at which examination must take place. In either case the port director's action will be noted on the Customs Form 3461 or 3461 (ALT), or their electronic equivalents, or attachment thereto.
ACTION:
This Information Notice affects cargo designated for the following types of exams at the Oakland Seaport:
- Trade Holds (10X) – CBP Trade Examination, PGA Examinations
- Agriculture Holds (10X) – CBP Agriculture Examination
For all containers selected for Trade or Agriculture (10X) exams, the CES Operator will dispatch their own trucker or contractor to deliver the shipment from the terminal to the CES. The selection of the drayage provider for movement to the CES is no longer at the discretion of the broker, importer, or carrier.
There will be no change to enforcement exams designated for A-TCET enforcement (13X)
For CBP-mandated re-exportations of containerized shipments, transfer of cargo from the CES to the shipping terminal will be coordinated by the CES Operator in conjunction with CBP requirements.
This notice supersedes any and all previous guidance, information notices, or communications that may have indicated or implied that the trade community has a choice in the selection of a trucking company for drayage to the CES, or that otherwise conflict with the procedures outlined herein.
Exceptions to requirements referenced within this document may be made on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Port Director. Such exceptions may be considered for extraordinary circumstances, such as operational disruptions or other unforeseen events. Inquiries for the purpose of requesting exceptions will not be accepted; any exceptions will be initiated solely by the Port Director.
For issues or inquiries related to the drayage of cargo from the terminal to the CES, please contact:
All other queries or requests for clarification regarding this policy should be directed to:
Assistant Port Director
700 Maritime Street
Oakland, CA 94067
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