The Bond That Clears Your Cargo.

It is a federal surety instrument that CBP requires before regulated cargo enters U.S. commerce. Three parties sign on: the principal (importer, broker, carrier, warehouse, etc.), the obligee (CBP), and the surety (the underwriter guaranteeing the principal's obligations). If the principal fails to pay duties or follow the rules, the surety pays CBP and then pursues the principal.

A bond is required whenever commercial merchandise valued above $2,500 enters for consumption, or whenever goods of any value are subject to a Partner Government Agency requirement such as FDA, USDA, EPA or FCC oversight. Informal and personal entries below those thresholds generally do not need a bond.

Continuous if you import more than three or four times a year or file at multiple ports. The continuous bond covers everything for twelve months and renews itself. Single transaction bonds still make sense for genuine one-offs — a first shipment, a sample run, an infrequent import.

For Activity Code 1 continuous bonds, CBP uses ten percent of the duties, taxes and fees paid in the most recent twelve months, rounded up to $10,000 (duties under $1M) or $100,000 (duties over $1M). The minimum is $50,000, and the bond must also cover the duty on any single shipment.

Yes. Our non-standard underwriting program exists specifically for new importers, thinly capitalized firms, and principals with credit issues. We may require collateral, a personal guarantee, or a modified rate, but the bond remains CBP-acceptable — it clears cargo exactly like a standard bond does.

Move fast, and do not take the minimum amount on the letter at face value. Project your next twelve months of duty exposure with a licensed broker, choose a replacement bond comfortably above that projection, and file the rider or new bond before CBP starts rejecting entries. Delay produces cargo holds, liquidated damages, and in bad cases a suspension of filing privileges.

Importer Security Filing, also called “10+2,” is the rule requiring advance cargo data for ocean-borne shipments before the vessel sails for a U.S. port. The bond secures the filer's compliance. Each missed, late, or inaccurate filing can draw liquidated damages of $5,000 or more, so the bond protects both CBP and the importer's continued trade access.

Clean standard files typically move from application to bond-on-file at CBP within one to three business days. Non-standard files may take slightly longer while collateral or guarantees are arranged. Urgent situations — cargo at the port, an imminent sail date — are flagged and handled first.