---
title: "Customs Exam"
description: "A customs exam is an inspection of an imported shipment, conducted as either an X-ray, Tail Gate, or Intensive exam, when it is selected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon import."
language: en
canonical: https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/glossary/customs-exam/
lifecycle: live
dateModified: 2026-08-20T06:44:07Z
topics:
  - "Customs & Compliance"
  - "Customs Brokerage"
---

# Customs Exam

A customs exam is an inspection of an imported shipment, conducted as either an X-ray, Tail Gate, or Intensive exam, when it is selected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon import.

## What is a Customs exam?

A Customs exam is either an X-ray, Tail Gate, or Intensive exam.

### How does Customs select shipments for exams?

CBP (Customs Border Protection) selects shipments for examination based on a targeting system that applies a score to each shipment. If the score is over a certain number, it triggers further review and possibly an exam.

CBP keeps the specifics of the targeting system confidential, but certain factors tend to affect exam selection. For example, first-time importers are inspected at a much higher frequency than importers who have an established record shipping into the country.

### Where does Customs get information about my shipment?

CBP collects data from sources including:

- [Automated Manifest System (AMS)](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/glossary/automated-manifest-system/)

- [Importer Security Filing (ISF)](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/glossary/importer-security-filing/)

Based on the data and subsequent targeting score CBP may then put a variety of [holds](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/help/customs-holds-and-exams/) on the shipment for further action before it can be released or possibly detained for an X-ray, Tail Gate, or Intensive exam.

Back to the [full glossary](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/glossary/).

---

*This is a markdown version of [https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/glossary/customs-exam/](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/glossary/customs-exam/) for AI/LLM consumption.*