Product Destruction for Importers & Exporters
Cargo denied entry, damaged in transit, or stuck past its date in a bonded warehouse can't just go back on a truck. It can't sit in a container racking up demurrage either. We destroy product that's stuck at the border and issue a Certificate of Destruction on every job, so you have a clean record for customs, your insurer, or your own files.
Cargo That Can't Clear Is a Liability Until It's Gone
Import and export shipments get held for all kinds of reasons: a failed inspection, damage in transit, paperwork that doesn’t match the load. Once a shipment is denied, you’re stuck holding it. It can’t be resold. It usually can’t be re-exported. And it can’t sit in a bonded container forever. Dispose of it the wrong way and it can resurface on the secondary market, or leave you without the paperwork a regulator wants to see.
- Shipments denied entry and unable to clear customs
- Cargo damaged, contaminated, or compromised in transit
- Expired product aging out in bonded storage
- Counterfeit or trademark-infringing goods flagged for destruction
What We Destroy for Importers & Exporters
Container load or a few pallets, we clear product that’s stuck at the border for good.
01
Denied Entry & Refused Shipments
Cargo CBP or FDA won't clear for import.
02
Damaged & Contaminated Cargo
Product damaged in transit or compromised inside the container.
03
Expired & Near-Expiry Goods
Product that aged out while it sat in bonded storage
04
Counterfeit & IP-Infringing Product
Goods flagged for seizure and requiring destruction.
05
Recalled Lots & Batches
Documented removal of recalled import or export product.
06
Mislabeled & Non-Compliant Product
Wrong labeling or packaging that can't legally clear customs.
07
Overstock & Unclaimed Cargo
Shipments abandoned at port or never picked up by the buyer.
08
Branded Packaging & Labels
Packaging and labels that can't be resold or re-exported.
Clean Handoff, From the Port to Issuing Certificates
Four steps. You point us to the product. We handle transport and destruction. You get paperwork you can hand to an auditor.
Assess & Verify
We review the shipment, the volume, and the reason it was held, then confirm the right method and check it against the rules that apply.
Secure Pickup
We coordinate pickup from your port, bonded warehouse, or carrier yard, with chain-of-custody tracking from the moment it leaves.
Destroy & Divert
Product is de-packaged and destroyed, then diverted to recycling wherever the material allows
Certify
You receive a Certificate of Destruction or Disposal confirming the job was completed to spec.
Built for Cargo That Has to Move Fast
Certified product destruction is a secure disposal method that renders goods permanently unsellable and unrecoverable. Importers and exporters need it when customs, brand protection, or IP enforcement is on the line.
De-Packaging
We separate product from its packaging so both get handled correctly, and more material can be recovered.
Crushing & Baling
Our horizontal baler applies over 400,000 lbs of force, crushing high volumes of unsellable goods.
Recycling & Diversion
We recycle what the material allows, so usable material stays out of the landfill.
Our 30 HP horizontal baler processes packaged cargo at scale, so a full container of denied or expired product clears fast.
Built for Cargo Held Up by Customs
We’ve spent 5+ years helping importers and exporters get rid of product they can’t move without creating a bigger problem than they started with.
Certificate on every job
Every job ends with documentation for customs, an insurer, or your own compliance file.
Full chain of custody
Tracking from the port or warehouse through destruction, so both ends are documented.
Recall & compliance ready
We handle destruction the way CBP and FDA regulated imports require, with paperwork for audits.
Scheduled or on-demand
From a few pallets to a full container, we can handle the volume that comes off a port
Truckload capacity
We clear full truckloads in a single visit, so a denied or expired container doesn't sit any longer than it has to
Eco-responsible disposal
We recycle and divert whenever the material allows, instead of sending everything to a landfill.
Destruction That Stands Up to a Customs Audit
Importers and exporters answer to CBP, FDA, and other regulators when denied or unsellable cargo gets disposed of. We follow their rules and give you the documentation to prove it. When customs, a regulator, or your own compliance team asks how a shipment was handled, you have a clean answer on file.
CBP
Documented destruction for cargo denied entry
FDA
Aligned with FDA disposal expectations for regulated product
Certificate
Certificate of Destruction on every job, standard
Chain of Custody
Documented from pickup through destruction
Recall Support
Fast, documented removal of recalled lots
Full Service Capabilities Across the West Coast
Sledgehammer Product Destruction operates across California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona, including near the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
California
- Los Angeles
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- Sacramento
Nevada
- Las Vegas
- Reno
- Henderson
Utah
- Salt Lake City
- Surrounding regions
Arizona
- Phoenix
- Tucson
- Surrounding areas
What our clients say
— Raul
— Mark
“Great company for all your recycling (disposal) needs. I was a little unprepared but they helped me gather everything. Very professional and friendly”
— David
Importer & Exporter FAQs
Sledgehammer Product Destruction operates across California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona
Why can't we just abandon or landfill cargo that's denied entry?
Abandoning cargo doesn’t guarantee it’s gone for good. It can get pulled out and resold, and denied or counterfeit goods can end up back on you. Certified destruction makes the product unrecoverable and gives you paperwork proving it.
Do you provide a Certificate of Destruction customs will accept?
Yes. Every job includes a Certificate of Destruction or Disposal, standard, at no extra cost. You can forward it to customs, attach it to a claim, or keep it for your own records.
Can you handle a shipment held on short notice?
Yes. We can arrange pickup on short notice for denied or expired cargo. Call us and we’ll work out timing that fits your situation.
Do you de-package cargo so material can be recycled?
Yes. We separate product from packaging before destruction, so more of the material can be recycled instead of landfilled.
What documentation do we get for CBP or FDA audits?
Every job includes a Certificate of Destruction or Disposal with chain-of-custody documentation from pickup through destruction.
Do you destroy counterfeit or trademark-infringing goods?
Yes. Counterfeit and IP-infringing product gets destroyed and documented, so it can’t resurface on the market.
What areas do you serve?
California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona, including near the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. We can arrange secure pickup and transport.
Get a Quote for Certified Cargo Destruction
Have a shipment denied entry, damaged in transit, or stuck because the buyer walked away? Fill out our online quote form or call us, and we'll put together a breakdown that fits your shipment and pickup timeline.