Merchandise shall be considered general order merchandise when it is taken into the custody of the port director and deposited in the public stores or a general order warehouse at the risk and expense of the consignee for any of the following reasons:

(a) Whenever entry of any imported merchandise is not made within the time provided by law or regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury.

(b) Whenever entry is incomplete because of failure to pay estimated duties.

(c) Whenever, in the opinion of the port director, entry cannot be made for want of proper documents or other causes.

(d) Whenever the port director believes that any merchandise is not correctly or legally invoiced.

(e) Whenever, at the request of the consignee or the owner or master of the vessel or person in charge of the vehicle in which merchandise is imported, any merchandise is taken possession of by the port director after the expiration of 1 day after entry of the vessel or report of the vehicle.

(a) Exportation within 6 months from date of importation. Merchandise in general order may be exported without examination or appraisement if the merchandise is delivered to the exporting carrier within 6 months from the date of importation. This merchandise may be entered within 6 months from date of importation for immediate transportation to any port of entry designated by the consignee.

(b) After expiration of 6 months from date of importation. Entry for immediate transportation shall be permitted after the expiration of the 6-month period only for the purpose of filing an entry for consumption at the port of destination.

(c) Withdrawal of less than single general order lot. The withdrawal from general order of less than a single general order lot shall not be permitted except as provided for in § 141.52 of this chapter.

The general order period is that period of time during which general order merchandise, as defined in § 127.1, is not subject to sale. The general order period expires 6 months from the date of importation.