Customs & Compliance
Ocean Imports: Keep ISF, the Customs Entry and the Bond Separate
An ocean shipment can have an ISF, a customs entry and a bond, but one does not replace another. Treating them as separate tasks makes the pre-arrival handoff easier to manage.
ISF starts before the vessel is loaded
For most U.S.-bound ocean cargo, CBP requires eight importer ISF data elements no later than 24 hours before the cargo is loaded aboard the vessel overseas. Two additional elements have a later deadline. ISF is an advance security filing; it is not the customs entry and does not apply to air freight.
Collect the seller, buyer, manufacturer or supplier, ship-to party, origin and product classification information early. Confirm who will submit the filing and who will correct it if a data element changes.
The customs entry handles admissibility and duties
The entry uses shipment and product data for CBP review and any required partner-agency review. An accepted ISF does not mean the cargo has been cleared or that the terminal will release it for pickup.
A bond covers importer obligations
A customs bond guarantees certain obligations to CBP, including duties, taxes and fees. A single-entry bond covers one shipment; a continuous bond covers entries over a 12-month period. Ask which bond applies before the entry is due, especially if the importer already has a bond on file.
Official sources
Check these agencies for current requirements and product-specific instructions.
Keep reading
Planning a live shipment?
Share the cargo, arrival gateway and U.S. destination. We can help scope clearance, pickup and inland delivery.
