In-bond shipments allow importers to move merchandise from other countries through the US without having to pay customs duties or bond fees in the US. The most common in-bond shipment types are:

IE: importation and exportation, used when the shipment arrives at a port of entry and it is exported through the same port of entry in 15 calendar days or less. We offer bonded transportation to pick up your shipment at the airport or seaport, and bonded warehouse facilities to hold the shipment until it is re-exported within 15 calendar days. We prepare the customs documentation needed to pick up the bonded shipment and deliver it to the bonded exporting carrier.

T&E: T&E is transportation and exportation, used when the shipment arrives at a port of entry and it is moved via bonded transport to another port of entry where it will be re-exported in 15 calendar days or less. We offer bonded airport and seaport transportation for shipments that will be in transit through the US.

BONDED WAREHOUSE: Bonded Warehouse are used for shipments that will stay in the US for more than 15 calendar days. Bonded warehouse shipments are officially entered into the US under the custody of a bonded warehouse. Some bond fees and harbor maintenance fees must be paid upon entry, but no duties are due. The bonded warehouse entry allows the products to stay in bonded warehouse for up to 5 years. This is an excellent option for importers that will re-export the entire shipment or parts of it overtime or for importers that would like the option to gradually import portions of the shipment into the US, this way postponing the payment of duties to a later time.

It is important to note that bonded warehouse entries are subject to FDA compliance, therefore if you are planning to import non-FDA compliant products, such as medical equipment for example, the shipment would not be allowed into a bonded warehouse. For these situations you will have to enter the shipment into a FTZ free trade zone. Free Trade Zones do allow non-compliant FDA shipments. There are not as many FTZ warehouses available as there are bonded warehouses, therefore it is important to plan ahead preferably prior to shipping out of the port of origin, since delays at the port of entry can result in extensive storage fees at the terminal.

DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR ALL IN-BOND SHIPMENTS The following documents are required to move a shipment in-bond or in transit through the US, via air or ocean carrier:

  • ISF for shipments that will arrive via ocean
  • Bill of Lading telex released for ocean shipments
  • Airway Bill for air shipments
  • Commercial invoice
  • Packing list
  • Power of attorney