CUSTOMS BONDS FOR USA IMPORTERS
Clear Your USA Imports Faster with Customs Compliant Bonds
What is a Customs Import Bond?
U.S. Customs bonds are crucial financial guarantees required for importing goods into the United States. Here's how they are applied to freight imports:
A Customs bond serves as a financial guarantee ensuring importers’ compliance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations. This instrument provides contractual assurance that importers will fulfill all obligations, including payment of duties, taxes, and fees, while adhering to import laws and accepting responsibility for non-compliance penalties.
The bond secures CBP against potential losses by guaranteeing regulatory compliance and timely payment of all assessed charges. Bond values typically correspond to the declared value of imported merchandise, establishing proportional financial coverage.
Two primary bond types are available: single entry bonds for individual shipments and continuous bonds for ongoing coverage of multiple transactions.
Licensed surety companies issue customs bonds and charge premiums based on a percentage of the bond amount. When importers fail to meet regulatory obligations, CBP may collect outstanding amounts from the surety, which subsequently pursues reimbursement from the importer.
This three-party arrangement between the importer, surety company, and CBP protects government revenue while facilitating legitimate international trade operations.
How is my import bond used?
A continuous import bond provides financial guarantee for customs clearance at any U.S. port. Importers may maintain only one continuous bond at a time with U.S. Customs, which assigns a unique bond number linked to the company’s Tax ID. This bond enables importers to work with any licensed Customs Broker or Freight Forwarder for shipment processing.
During import entry, the selected broker references the bond number on customs documentation, ensuring financial coverage for duties, taxes, and potential penalties. The bond functions as a surety policy – regardless of where it was purchased, the surety company retains ownership and control, with no third-party broker or freight forwarder holding proprietary rights to the bond.
Customs Bond Types
Single Entry Bond
is a one-time Importer Entry Bond for a particular import shipment, which can only be used for one Customs transaction. The bond amount for a single transaction bond is equal to the total entered value of the merchandise plus all duties, taxes, and fees. However, if the merchandise is subject to other government agency requirements or visa/quota requirements, the customs bond amount would be equal to three times of the total entered value.
Continuous Bond
is a self-renewing term Importer Entry Bond, which covers all Customs transactions through all USA ports. The bond amount for a continuous bond is determined by taking multiples of $10,000 nearest 10% of duties, taxes and fees paid by an importer during the last calendar year. The minimum continuous bond amount is $50,000. This customs bond is valid until it is terminated by the principal or the surety.
ATA Carnet
An ATA Carnet is an internationally accepted document to aid in the temporarily exportation of commercial samples, professional equipment, and goods for exhibitions and fairs. In order to explicitly follow the obligations of an ATA Carnet, the items must be re-imported back into the U.S. within 12 months and must be re-imported in the same condition in which they left the country.
International Carrier Bond
ensures operators properly manifest all goods and passengers they carry, pay for the overtime services of Customs officers and comply with all regulations related to the
Consumption Entry
Designed for shipments entering the U.S.A. with a value over $2,000 USD.
T&E Entry
Transportation and Export: Goods shipped under U.S. Customs bond from a U.S. Port of Entry to a second U.S. Customs port for export to a third country.
Freightclear import operations specialists are well versed in knowing your HTS codes, classifications and products types. We offer fast and concise customs entries for all USA importers.
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