Skip to content
BorderConnect

Goods Astray (CBP Shipment Type)

Last updated 20 July 2026

On this page
This article is part of the Shipment Release Types Guide

Goods Astray is a U.S. Shipment Type for goods clearing through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on an ACE Manifest. It is used for certain undeliverable articles that were exported from the United States and are returning to the United States.

Goods Astray is treated as a type of informal CBP shipment process for qualifying returned U.S. exports. It is different from a standard PAPS shipment because the shipment is not being entered through the normal broker entry process when it qualifies for the Goods Astray exemption.

Video Tutorial

How to enter a Goods Astray shipment in ACE within BorderConnect

Training video: How to Create an ACE eManifest with a Goods Astray Shipment.[1]

When to Use

Use Goods Astray only when goods that were exported from the United States are returning because they were undeliverable to the foreign consignee. Under 19 CFR 141.4, the person claiming the Goods Astray exemption must be able to certify that the merchandise was intended to be exported to a foreign country and is being returned within 45 days of departure from the United States.[2]

The same regulation also requires that the merchandise did not leave the custody of the carrier or foreign customs, is being returned because it was undeliverable to the foreign consignee, and was not sent abroad to receive a benefit from, or fulfill obligations to, the United States as a result of exportation.[2]

Upon request by CBP, the person claiming release under Goods Astray must provide evidence to support the claim.[2]

Qualification Checklist

The person claiming the Goods Astray exemption must be able to certify that:

  • the merchandise was intended to be exported to a foreign country;
  • the merchandise is being returned within 45 days of departure from the United States;
  • the merchandise did not leave the custody of the carrier or foreign customs;
  • the merchandise is being returned to the United States because it was undeliverable to the foreign consignee; and
  • the merchandise was not sent abroad to receive benefit from, or fulfill obligations to, the United States as a result of exportation.[2]

If any of these conditions are not met, the shipment may need to be handled using another CBP shipment type or entry process. Carriers should rely on the importer, shipper, consignee, customs broker, or CBP to confirm whether Goods Astray is appropriate.

Declaring in BorderConnect

Highway carriers transporting shipments into the United States under Goods Astray must report them on their ACE Manifest. To report Goods Astray in BorderConnect, create an ACE Shipment with the Shipment Type Goods Astray and transmit the shipment as part of the ACE Manifest.

Entering a Goods Astray shipment in BorderConnect.

A typical BorderConnect workflow is:

  1. Start or open the ACE Manifest.
  2. Enter the trip, carrier, port, ETA, driver, truck, and trailer information.
  3. Create a new ACE Shipment.
  4. Select Goods Astray as the shipment type.
  5. Enter the Goods Astray Date of U.S. Exit.
  6. Enter a unique Shipment Control Number.
  7. Add the shipper and consignee information.
  8. Add the commodity description, quantity, weight, and value.
  9. Save the shipment and return to the ACE Manifest.
  10. Sync the ACE Manifest with CBP.

The date that the goods were originally exported from the United States must be provided. This date is used to support the 45-day return requirement in 19 CFR 141.4.[2]

Required Information

Although Goods Astray is different from a PAPS shipment, the carrier still needs to provide a unique Shipment Control Number. The ACE shipment should also include the other information normally required for an ACE Shipment, including shipper, consignee, commodity description, quantity, weight, and value.

BorderConnect's Goods Astray training explains that the Goods Astray Date of U.S. Exit is the date the goods originally left the United States, and that the shipment is transmitted to CBP as part of the ACE Manifest.[1] After the manifest is accepted by CBP, BorderConnect's training notes that the status remains On File with CBP until the driver arrives at the first port of arrival because there are no entry numbers associated with Goods Astray shipments.[1]

Evidence Commonly Requested

Because Goods Astray is an exemption from normal entry, CBP may request proof that the shipment qualifies. Carriers and importers should be prepared to provide documents showing the original export, the return reason, and the custody chain.

Evidence may include:

  • original export paperwork, bill of lading, or other proof of the departure date;
  • documentation showing that the goods were refused, rejected, or undeliverable to the foreign consignee;
  • evidence that the goods remained in the custody of the carrier or foreign customs; and
  • supporting documents showing that the goods were not sent abroad to obtain a benefit or fulfill a U.S. obligation because of exportation.

At the Border

At the border, the driver should present the ACE lead sheet and be prepared to show the export, refusal, return, and custody documentation requested by the officer. CBP may request evidence supporting the Goods Astray claim before allowing the shipment to proceed.[2]

Goods Astray is an exemption from normal entry requirements, so a standard entry number is not normally generated for the shipment. Carriers should follow the importer, broker, or CBP instructions for the specific return rather than assuming that no broker or compliance support may be involved.

Common Mistakes

  • Using Goods Astray for a shipment that was not originally exported from the United States.
  • Using Goods Astray when the goods are returning more than 45 days after leaving the United States.
  • Using Goods Astray after the goods left the custody of the carrier or foreign customs.
  • Forgetting to enter the original U.S. export date.
  • Treating Goods Astray like a PAPS shipment and expecting a broker entry number.
  • Sending the driver without documents proving export, refusal, return, and custody.
  • Using Goods Astray for returned goods that should be handled as Returned American Products or another shipment type.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 BorderConnect: How to Create an ACE eManifest with a Goods Astray Shipment
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 19 CFR 141.4: Entry required
Retrieved from "https://wiki.borderconnect.com/index.php?title=Goods_Astray_(CBP_Shipment_Type)&oldid=2674"