For first time importers, it is of great importance to read about how to file an ISF. The ISF applies only to ocean shipments.

The first US Customs requirement comes even before your shipment leaves the country of origin. The ISF is the first step in the US Customs clearance process for all ocean shipments leaving a foreign port towards the US.

US Customs requires that the ISF be filed at least 24 hours prior to the vessel leaving the port towards the US. The ISF has 2 components:

  • The ISF form with the shipment data required by US Customs.
  • The ISF Bond, which can be either a single entry bond or a continuous bond to cover the bond requirements for your import shipments for a period of 1 year.

If your supplier has not exported to the US before it is important to educate the supplier on the import requirements to avoid fines of up to $5,000 per infraction. The ISF is the responsibility of the importer. The supplier or freight forwarder CAN ship without an ISF, and many exporters overseas do not know how to file an ISF, therefore if it is the first time that you work with your supplier it is important to insist that the shipment not leave the port of origin until you have provided them with confirmation that the ISF was issued.

If a shipment leaves port without an ISF we can still issue a late ISF, however, this will require a continuous bond. Even if a late ISF is obtained, the importer is still exposed to a possible late ISF fine from US Customs.

In order to file the ISF and ISF bond we need:

For more information about how to file an ISF visit our ISF tab on this website.

We can issue the ISF in one day. The cost of an on-time ISF and ISF single entry bond is $103.50 total. Once we receive your ISF information we review it the same day and reply with any additional requirements.

Please contact us or open a chat request on this page for more information. We look forward to working with you.