CBP · 19 CFR 149

ISF 10+2 checklist

File the ISF on time and skip the $5,000 claim.

Tick off the 10 importer elements and enter the sailing and arrival times to get both ISF deadlines from 19 CFR 149.2.

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Work down the list with the purchase order, the supplier's details and the forwarder's booking in front of you. Enter the expected lading time at the foreign port and the arrival time at the first US port in the same time zone, and the deadlines appear as you type.

Deadlines

Ask the forwarder for the loading date rather than the sailing date, because the clock runs from lading and a vessel can load days before it sails.

Use the carrier's ETA for the first US port of call, since the last two elements and any flexible updates key off that arrival.

Elements 1 to 8 due byEnter the lading time
Elements 9 and 10, and flexible updates, due byEnter the arrival time

Due 24 hours before lading

Elements marked flexible may go in as a range and must be updated with final data no later than 24 hours before arrival, under 19 CFR 149.2(f).

Due 24 hours before arrival

Before the booking, screen the name on the invoice. Shipment pre-check is on the paid plans, from USD 59 a month.

General guidance only. Verify against the cited primary sources before you commit to a shipment, declaration, or contract.

What the rule requires and who files

The Importer Security Filing applies to cargo arriving in the United States by vessel, and CBP's rule took effect on January 26, 2009. The ISF importer is the party causing the goods to arrive, usually the owner, purchaser or consignee, or a licensed customs broker acting as its agent. For goods entering the United States or a foreign trade zone, 19 CFR 149.3 lists the ten elements on this page, each given at the lowest bill of lading level, which is the house bill where there is one.

The "+2" belong to the carrier: the vessel stow plan for vessels arriving with containers, and container status messages where the carrier has a system for collecting them. Transit cargo that stays on board, or moves in bond for immediate export or transportation and exportation, files a five element ISF instead, as the CBP ISF FAQ of May 2023 sets out.

Enforcement of the rule runs through the bond. The Activity Code 1, 2, 3 and 4 bond conditions each carry liquidated damages of $5,000 per violation for ISF defaults, and CBP's general information on the rule adds that cargo without an ISF can be refused release or a permit to unlade and can face do not load orders at origin.

Worked example. The ISF filed after the box was loaded

The booking. A buyer books a 40 ft container from Ningbo with a vessel sailing on a Friday. The forwarder has the seller, buyer, importer number and consignee number, and the supplier promises the manufacturer and HTS details once production closes, which looks fine on paper.

The failure. The container is laden on Wednesday, two days before sailing, and the supplier's details arrive on Thursday. The ISF goes in after lading instead of 24 hours before it, which is a late filing under 19 CFR 149.2(b). CBP can claim $5,000 against the importer's bond for that one violation, and the buyer has no argument about the sailing date.

The fix. On the next order the buyer enters the forwarder's lading date here the day the booking is confirmed and sees the deadline fall on Tuesday. The manufacturer, country of origin and HTS number go in as flexible entries from the purchase order, the ISF is transmitted on Monday, and the stuffing location and consolidator follow once the box is packed, well before arrival.

Want to confirm that the container number on the booking is valid before it goes into the filing? The container number check validates the ISO 6346 check digit in a second.

Frequently asked

What are the 10 importer elements of ISF 10+2?

Under 19 CFR 149.3: seller, buyer, importer of record number or FTZ applicant number, consignee number, manufacturer or supplier, ship to party, country of origin, commodity HTSUS number, container stuffing location, and consolidator or stuffer. The "+2" are the carrier's vessel stow plan and container status messages.

When is the ISF due?

The first eight elements are due no later than 24 hours before the cargo is laden aboard the vessel at the foreign port, under 19 CFR 149.2(b). The container stuffing location and consolidator are due as early as possible and no later than 24 hours before arrival at a US port, or on lading if the voyage to the nearest US port is under 24 hours.

What is the penalty for a late or wrong ISF?

The bond conditions in 19 CFR 113.62(j) provide liquidated damages of $5,000 for each violation. CBP can also withhold release of the cargo, refuse a permit to unlade, and issue do not load orders at origin, according to its general information on the rule.

Which elements can be filed as a range and updated later?

Manufacturer or supplier, ship to party, country of origin and commodity HTSUS number. 19 CFR 149.2(f) lets the ISF importer file these on the best data available and update them as soon as better information comes in, and no later than 24 hours before arrival at a US port.

Does ISF apply to air freight or bulk cargo?

ISF applies only to cargo arriving in the United States by vessel, and bulk cargo is exempt from it. Break bulk cargo that is exempt from the 24 hour rule timing files the ISF no later than 24 hours before arrival instead of before lading.

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Sourzi shows what official files say. It is not customs or legal advice. For a binding answer, ask a licensed customs broker, a CBP ruling or an Australian Border Force Tariff Advice.

File dates and links are on Data sources.