Upload failures and OCR fallback
Your CBP 7501 or other entry document failed to upload or parsed with low confidence. Here is how the deterministic parser and OCR fallback interact.
Upload failures and OCR fallback
Uploads on /audit go through two layers. First, the deterministic parser (LFQG-144 for CBP 7501, similar for EU SAD, UK CDS, CBSA B3, Mexican Pedimento) locks onto printed field positions. When the deterministic parser cannot lock onto a field with high confidence, OCR fallback runs against that field. Every field with fallback OCR carries a yellow confidence badge in the review step so you know to double-check it.
Uploads themselves rarely fail; parse quality is where issues surface. Below is the walk-through.
How to resolve upload issues
- Check the file format. PDF, JPG, PNG, Excel, or CSV are supported. Legacy Word or scanned .doc files are not.
- Check the file size. The cap is 25 MB per file. Compress or split larger scans.
- If the deterministic parser cannot lock at all, the entry drops into OCR-only mode. Every field carries a yellow badge; review each before running the audit.
- Faxed-then-scanned 7501s degrade the printed layout enough that OCR is the whole story. Re-request an ACE-generated PDF from your broker if possible; parse quality jumps dramatically.
- For multi-page entries, confirm every page uploaded. The parser reassembles pages in the input order; missing pages result in missing lines.
- If the parser mis-assigns a line to the wrong HTS, click into the line and edit before running the audit. Human review overrides the parser.
- If nothing works and the file is a real customs entry, contact support with the file attached (encrypted archive is fine).
What the confidence badges mean
Green: deterministic parser locked, no review needed. Yellow: OCR fallback used, one-glance review suggested. Red: parser could not resolve at all, human input required before audit.
Green fields never need review. Yellow fields usually pass a glance. Red fields must be filled by hand or the audit will not run.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum file size
25 MB per file. Split larger scans.
Does encryption of the source file break the parser
Yes. Password-protected PDFs cannot be parsed without the password. Remove the protection before upload, or send the password via support.
Can I upload a raw image of a printed 7501
Yes. JPG and PNG at 300 DPI or higher work well. Lower DPI degrades OCR.
What if my 7501 has handwritten annotations
Handwriting is unreliable through OCR. Extract the printed content; enter any handwritten corrections during the review step.
Related
Audit
Upload a CBP Form 7501
Drop a filed US CBP Form 7501 into the audit engine. The deterministic parser extracts every line and the engine re-computes the duty and fee stack.
Troubleshooting
Common calculator errors and how to interpret them
The five error messages you are most likely to see in the calculator, what they mean, and how to fix them.
Still stuck
Paid tiers can open a ticket from the in-app support inbox. Free users can email operator support at info@growyourbrand.io.
Open a ticket