What is an FDA hold?

What is an FDA hold?

An FDA hold is a customs hold on your US import. US Customs will place holds on certain commodities that may require further review to ensure they meet FDA standards and regulations. Products regulated by the FDA may be stopped for an FDA hold upon import into the U.S. The FDA regulates products that fall under the following categories:

  • Tobacco products
  • Human foods
  • Human drugs
  • Medical devices
  • Cosmetics

After review, US Customs may either proceed to inspect the cargo, request additional information, release the cargo, or escalate the shipment to an intensive exam.

Written by

ExFreight Team

ExFreight’s logistics experts with 15+ years of experience in freight forwarding from China to over 150 countries worldwide.

Published March 20, 2026
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