Which items are typically referred to as 'general order merchandise'?

General order merchandise refers to goods that are being held by Customs because they have not been released to the importer or consignee. When Customs withholds these items, it typically does so due to issues such as missing documentation, unpaid duties, or other compliance concerns. The goods are essentially in a state of limbo and must be resolved before they can clear Customs and be released to the rightful owner.

Items for export would not typically fall under general order merchandise since they are not in the process of being imported and held by Customs. Similarly, items discarded by Customs are no longer in possession of the importer and thus do not fit this category. Items approved for immediate release are cleared by Customs and are no longer in question, making this option not applicable to general order merchandise. Therefore, the correct answer focuses on the categories of goods that are actively being addressed by Customs and have not yet been cleared for release.