• Your Customs Broker requires the following, at a minimum, in order to prepare an entry:

1. Commercial Invoice – Preferably in English, which describes the product, terms of sale, and the purchase price FOB origin port. If the product originates in a country other than the one you purchase from, the actual country of origin of the merchandise should appear somewhere on the invoice. The name of the seller and the buyer and the currency of purchase should be clearly stated. Some importers think that they should include as little information as possible on the invoices they provide to their Customs Broker. This works against you! When we can't get enough information to substantiate a lower duty classification on merchandise, we are required to use the higher classification. So, give your Customs Broker enough information to do the job properly.
2. Bill of lading or Air Waybill – This is the transport document that covers the movement from origin to the port of entry.
3. Country of origin Marking – One of the most common problems that will hold up an entry is when the product or merchandise does not have any marking which indicates its origin. "Origin" does not necessarily mean where you bought it. "Origin" should be discussed with your Customs Broker so that you understand the term as it relates to U.S. Customs. Marking requirements are clearly stated in the regulations and your broker can be a valuable asset in determining what you must do.
4. Other regulatory agencies – Some products are also subject to approval by other agencies of the U.S. Government before entry is approved. Among these are: Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Transportation (DOT), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and others. Discuss this with your Customs Broker. He will coordinate entry with these agencies as part of his/her service.
5. Your Cooperation – The Customs Broker is a professional that wants to do the best job for a Client. In order for this to happen, the client should work closely with the Customs Broker in supplying needed information, paying duties (import taxes) on time, and generally including the Customs Broker as part of the Client's team. Remember, your Broker has the right to rely upon the information you supply. If the information is erroneous or incomplete and a penalty is issued by Customs, YOU will be receiving that penalty.

Customs may take a little extra time to become familiar with your company and the products you import, the usual time for clearance can be a short as a few hours up to 2-3 days. Perishables are usually cleared immediately.

1. At the time of entry, every importer must post a Customs bond for each shipment of merchandise valued over $2,500.00 (or any value for commodities subject to other federal agencies requirements). The primary purpose of a customs bond is to guarantee the payment of import duties and taxes to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), as well as to assure compliance with all laws and regulations governing the entry of merchandise from foreign shipping points into the United States. There are two types of Customs Bond: single entry or continuous. The choice ultimately depends on how often a company imports into the U.S. and the differences are below.
   1. Single Entry Bond
 - Covers only one entry (shipment) or Importer Security Filing (ISF) for which it is written. The single entry bond is generally written in an amount not less than the total entered value, plus any duties, taxes and fees and can be written just prior to the filing and submitted with the entry.
   2. Continuous Transaction Bond - 
Covers all entries (shipments) and ISFs filing for a period of one year, no matter who the filer is. It’s normally obtained by importers who have a large number of entries and/or imports through several ports of entry. It is automatically renewed each year (valid until it is terminated by either the surety or the principal). A continuous bond application is required to be submitted to Customs prior to use, and is approved electronically within minutes. A continuous bond amount is based on 10% of duties, taxes and fees paid for the 12-month period. The minimum amount is $50,000.00.

1. Unaccompanied personal effects are not subject to the payment of any duties but are subject to the importer’s security filing regulations, customs entry and inspections requirements. Below is the list of documents that you must provide to us so we may commence the procedure.
   1. Copy of your passport
   2. List of your personal effects
   3. Copy of your vehicle’s title and registration (vehicles only)
   4. Copy of ocean bill of lading
2. Below are the forms you must complete sign and return to us in order to commence the importation process of your personal effects
   1. Customs power of attorney
   2. CF 3299
   3. Customs supplemental declaration
   4. Credit card authorization form
   5. DOTHS7 form (for imports of personal vehicles only)
   6. EPA 3520-1 form (for imports of personal vehicles only)

1. Customs now requires 10 additional data elements to be filed on every importation by ocean carrier. It is the law.
2. The importer is responsible to file this information timely and accurately.
3. This information can only be filed electronically by you, your broker or any other agent with access to AMS or ABI with proper power of attorney.
4. Your logical choice would be your broker since he already has the ability to file information on your behalf electronically to Customs.
5. This information needs to be filed 24 HOURS before the cargo is laden on board the exporting vessel.
6. What is the required information?
   • Manufacturer (or supplier) name and address
   • Seller name and address
   • Buyer name and address
   • Ship to name and address
   • Container stuffing location name and address
   • Consolidator name and address
   • Importer of record
   • Consignee name address and IRS ID number, Social Security number.
   • HTSUS Tariff number

   Please note that the importer's bond is now guaranteeing the accuracy and timely transmittal of this information. Violations will result in monetary penalties or liquidated damages.