Source: www.dailymotion.com
Well first off all it really depends where the container originated. If it was from overseas it will need to clear US Customs. If it hasn’t then it technically belongs to the US government and they will decide what to do with it. Their main goal is to recovered important taxes and such, based off the shipments value.
In this case it is the US Customs, not the bonded warehouse that will get rid of it. This is usually done by public auction. In the condensed version of the process it goes like this. Importers have 20 days from arrival to get the cargo cleared by Customs.
At the fifteen day mark they will be notified that the good will be subject to general order. Customs will file a Permit to Transfer any cargo that hasn’t been cleared in the proper window.
From there it gets moved to a general warehouse; this is when the shipping company can file any liens in hopes to cover their costs (shipping handling, storage, and such. Unless the cargo is perishable or some kind of health hazard it must remain there for six months.
