CBP Seizes 5,000+ Peptide Shipments: Navigating CBP and FDA Issues as an Importer

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A recent enforcement action by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Port of Cincinnati highlights the types of issues that can quickly escalate into serious problems for importers. Between December 2025 and March 25, 2026, CBP officers intercepted over three hundred (300) shipments originating from China that were structured as “master cartons” containing smaller, pre-labeled packages destined for individual recipients in the United States. In total, the agency identified approximately five thousand (5,000) individual shipments of peptides, including compounds associated with GLP-1 weight loss drugs such as semaglutide, tirzepatide, and retatrutide.

While the headlines focus on the nature of the products, the more important takeaway for importers is how the shipments were handled from a compliance standpoint. According to CBP, the goods were mis-manifested and structured in a way that concealed their true contents. This type of mis-declaration, whether intentional or the result of poor oversight, can independently justify seizure, regardless of the underlying product. CBP treats these discrepancies seriously, particularly where shipments appear designed to avoid inspection or proper entry procedures.

In addition to customs-related concerns, the products at issue fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates therapeutic peptides as drugs. This creates a layered enforcement environment where importers may face both CBP action and FDA admissibility issues at the same time. Even where an importer believes a product is being marketed as a research chemical or otherwise outside FDA oversight, the agency often takes a broader view, especially when products resemble known pharmaceutical compounds or are associated with health or weight loss uses.

Even if an importer is not directly involved in how goods are labeled, consolidated, or shipped, CBP will still hold the importer of record responsible for ensuring that entries are accurate and compliant. In practice, this means that issues originating with an overseas supplier, freight forwarder, or other intermediary can still be attributed to the importer. What may begin as a lack of visibility into how a shipment was handled can quickly result in a detention, seizure, or penalty action.

Importers dealing with a detention or seizure often face uncertainty about what steps to take and how to respond. Early decisions can have a meaningful impact on the outcome, particularly where statements or submissions are made without a full understanding of the regulatory framework. It is critical to assess whether the issue is limited to customs compliance or whether FDA requirements are also implicated, as this will shape the response strategy and available options.

How We Can Help

At Clark-Esposito Law Firm, P.C., we work with importers who encounter problems with CBP and FDA, including seizures, detentions, penalty actions, and other issues. We assist in evaluating the basis for enforcement, communicating with the agencies, and developing a strategy to respond effectively while minimizing risk. We also help importers identify what went wrong and implement practical steps to avoid similar issues in the future. If your shipment has been flagged or seized, addressing the situation early and strategically can make a significant difference in the outcome. Give our office a call today at (917) 546-6997 or schedule an intake meeting, we would be happy to speak with you.

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