Automated Container Customs Hold Digest
Every morning, WebRun opens Terminal49, finds every container with an active CBP, USDA, FDA, or port authority hold, logs the hold type, container details, and port of discharge to a Google Sheet, and posts a prioritized holds digest to your Slack ops channel so your customs broker can begin clearance action right away.
How do I automatically track containers under customs or port holds every morning?
WebRun opens Terminal49 every morning and finds every container with an active CBP, USDA, FDA, or port hold. It logs each container with its hold type, days held, and LFD risk status to a Google Sheets register, then posts a prioritized Slack digest leading with containers at risk of accruing demurrage during the hold so your customs broker can start clearance action immediately.
- Every customs hold is visible in Slack by 7 AM so brokers start clearance action the same morning
- Containers where the LFD will pass during the hold are flagged critical so demurrage risk is prioritized
- Hold history in Google Sheets lets you see which carriers or lanes generate the most inspection delays
Built for ocean freight importers · customs brokers · logistics operations managers · compliance teams
What does WebRun do on every run?
The exact actions WebRun takes, in order - in plain language, so you can adjust anything.
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WebRun signs in and gets to work
Opens
app.terminal49.comin a real browser with your saved login - no setup, no API keys. -
1
Terminal49 - identify all containers with active CBP, USDA, FDA, or port holds
terminal49.com
WebRun opens Terminal49 to identify all containers with active CBP, USDA, FDA, or port holds. - Open Terminal49 and filter active shipments for containers flagged with any customs or port hold
- Identify the hold type for each container: CBP hold, USDA agricultural inspection, FDA examination, port authority hold, or other exception flag
- Capture the container number, B/L, carrier, port of discharge, terminal, hold type, hold start date, and days held
- Check whether a last free day is at risk of passing while the hold is active and flag those containers as critical
Done when Every container with an active hold is listed with its hold type, terminal location, and days in hold.
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2
Google Sheets - log the customs hold register with days held
google.com
WebRun opens Google Sheets to log the customs hold register with days held. - Open the Customs Hold register sheet
- Upsert each held container row: container number, B/L, hold type, terminal, hold start date, days held, LFD, and critical flag
- Mark containers as critical if the LFD will pass within 48 hours while the hold is still active
- Log holds that have cleared since yesterday with their release date so the history is complete
Done when The customs hold register is current with all active holds, days-in-hold counts, and LFD critical flags.
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3
Slack - post the morning holds digest to the ops channel
slack.com
WebRun opens Slack to post the morning holds digest to the ops channel. - Post the daily holds digest to the freight ops Slack channel
- Lead with critical holds where the LFD is at risk of passing while the hold is active
- Follow with new holds opened since yesterday, noting the hold type and terminal
- End with a count of total active holds by type and the number that are critical today
Done when The ops Slack channel has this morning's holds digest with critical containers first and a total holds breakdown.
How is each run configured?
Secure by default
Connect once, stays signed in
WebRun signs in once and keeps each session in a persistent environment, so every run picks up right where it left off.
Every action is checked against this policy before it runs.
Questions, answered
Will it file CBP or FDA release requests automatically?
No. WebRun surfaces hold information and flags containers at risk of demurrage from the hold. All examination scheduling, document submissions, and release requests are handled by your customs broker after reviewing the digest.
What hold types does Terminal49 report?
Terminal49 surfaces holds reported by terminals and carriers including CBP intensive exams, USDA agricultural inspections, FDA holds, and port authority holds. Coverage depends on what each terminal and carrier reports in their data feeds.
What happens if a hold clears before the morning run?
Terminal49 is checked live each morning. Containers where the hold has been released are marked as cleared in the Google Sheet and excluded from the active holds section of the Slack digest.
Related templates
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