When CBP flags a container at PortMiami, it is routed to one of three exam types: a non-intrusive X-ray (VACIS) exam, a tailgate exam at the terminal, or an intensive exam at a bonded Centralized Examination Station (CES). Costs range from roughly $150 for an X-ray to $2,000+ for an intensive devanning, and delays run from a few hours to two weeks. Here is how each works and how Miami importers can keep freight moving in 2026.
Why CBP flags containers
U.S. Customs and Border Protection targets shipments using data filed before arrival — your ISF 10+2 filing, the carrier manifest, and entry data. First-time importers, vague cargo descriptions, mismatched documents, flagged countries of origin, and random selection all raise the odds of an exam hold.
The three exam types at PortMiami
1. VACIS / X-ray (non-intrusive) exam
The container passes through a gamma-ray or X-ray portal at the terminal. If the image matches the manifest, the hold is released — usually within 1–3 business days. Fees are modest, typically $100–$300 passed through by the steamship line.
2. Tailgate exam
A CBP officer opens the container doors at the terminal and inspects the visible cargo. Tailgate exams generally add 2–5 days and a few hundred dollars in terminal handling charges.
3. Intensive exam at a CES
The full container is drayed to a Centralized Examination Station, completely devanned, inspected, and reloaded. Expect $1,000–$2,500+ in CES, drayage, and labor fees, and 5–14 days of delay depending on station backlog. The importer pays all costs even when nothing is found.
Who pays — and what about demurrage?
Exam fees are always for the importer’s account. The bigger hidden cost is time: free days at the terminal keep burning while a container waits for an exam slot, so demurrage and detention at PortMiami can quickly exceed the exam fee itself. A drayage partner that monitors holds daily and pulls the box the moment it releases is your best defense.
How to reduce exam risk and delays
File ISF accurately and on time, use precise commodity descriptions, keep commercial invoices consistent with packing lists, and consider joining CTPAT — certified importers see fewer exams and front-of-line treatment. Working with an experienced Miami container drayage provider that knows each terminal’s exam flow (see our PortMiami terminal guide) shortens recovery time once the hold lifts.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a CBP exam take at PortMiami?
X-ray exams typically clear in 1–3 business days, tailgate exams in 2–5 days, and intensive CES exams in 5–14 days depending on backlog and cargo complexity.
How much does an intensive exam cost in Miami?
Most importers pay $1,000–$2,500 or more, covering drayage to the CES, devanning labor, storage, and reloading. Oversized or dense loads cost more.
Can I avoid CBP exams completely?
No. Even perfect compliance leaves random selection in play, but accurate ISF filings, clean documentation, and CTPAT membership significantly lower your exam rate.
Container stuck in a CBP hold? Go Freight monitors exam status daily and recovers your box the moment it releases. Request a quote or call (786) 445-0150.