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ISF Filing : Importer Security Filing 10+2 ( 2024 )

You must file necessary united states custom form when shipping to USA.

Among that, ISF filling is one of the most important process.

In this post, I’m going to show you everything about isf , including :

• Definition
• Elements
• Penalties
• ISF vs AMS
• Cost
• more

Let’s get started.

ISF Filing

What is ISF ?

 

ISF, stands for Importer Security Filing, required by the United States Customs and Border Protection (CPB) for containerized cargo imports.

ISF information must be be filed with CPB 24 hours prior to vessel sailing from origin port to US.

Known as “10+2” document, ISF requires importers to provide 10 data elements to CBP and 2 other documents from the shipping carrier.

Interpretation

• ISF filing is applicable to import containerized shipments to US only, it’s not required for shipments to other countries.
• ISF is required for FCL and LCL ocean shipments. An Importer Security Filing is not required for bulk cargo , air cargo and courier parcel.
• ISF must be filed timely, completely and accurately by importers.

CBP
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What will happen if ISF Filing failed ?

ISF data must be filed and submitted in an accurate and timely manner.

Failure to do ( No file, wrongly filed, or later than requested ) so may result in severe penalty.

If it has not been filed succeeded, isf filing penalty of up to US$5,000 can be incurred.

What’s more, CBP may withhold the release or transfer of the cargo, inspections and cargo delays can apply.

The 10+2 data elements

isf 10+2Importer Security Filing consists of two separate transmissions to U.S. Customs:

• 10 pieces of information from supplier or importer
• 2 data sets to be supplied by the carrier

Importers (or their freight broker) are responsible for the 10 additional data elements while carriers will need to submit 2 of the remaining data elements.

These together constitute the so-called ISF 10+2.

Data from the importer or supplier:

isf 102
Item
Seller
Manufacturer/Supplier
Buyer
Consignee
Consolidator
Stuffing Location
Country of origin
Importer of Record
Ship-to
Harmonized Tariff Schedule number
Description
The name and address of the last known entity that sold the products or that agreed to sell the products.
The name and address of the entity that last manufactured, assembled, produced, or grew the commodity, or, the name and address of the supplier of the finished goods in the country from which the goods are leaving.
The name and address of the last known entity to buy the products or who agreed to buy the products.
The Internal Revenue Service number, Employer Identification number, Social Security number or CBP-assigned number of the individual(s) or firm(s) in the United States on whose account the merchandise is being shipped. This element is the same as the “consignee number” element on the CBP form 3461.
The name and address of the party who stuffed the container or arranged for the stuffing of the container. If the manufacturer is the party that stuffed the container or arranged for stuffing, then the manufacturer is considered to be the consolidator (stuffer).
The name and address(es) of the physical location(s) where the products were stuffed into the container. For break bulk shipments, the name and address(es) of the physical location(s) where the goods were made “ship ready” must be provided.When a container is stuffed at more than one location, all of the stuffing locations listed on the bill of lading must be provided.
The country where the products were manufactured, produced or grown. This element is the same as the “country of origin” element on the CBP form 3461.
The Internal Revenue Service number, Employer Identification number, Social Security number or CBP-assigned number for the entity is responsible for the goods entering the limits of a U.S. port. The importer may or may not be the importer of record for the Customs entry, and may also be the owner, purchaser, consignee or agent.
The name and address of the first “deliver-to” party scheduled to physically receive the goods after they have been released from Customs custody. The party physically receiving the goods must be provided and not an entity that merely owns the facility.
6-digit level – The duty/statistical reporting number under which the article is classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). The HTSUS number is required to be provided to the 6 digit level, however, it may be provided up to the 10 digit level.

Data from the carrier:

Item
Carrier Information 1
Carrier Information 2
Description
Vessel stow plan (includes vessel name, operator, container position, stow position, etc.).
Container status messages for all the events of that shipment.

Besides that, The B/L number is required as part of the ISF filing.

• MBL Number and SCAC
• AMS HBL# and SCAC

ISF must be matched to B/L, otherwise, cargo shipments will be marked with a failure to file ISF status.

Who is responsible for filing the isf ?

Always keep that in mind that ultimate responsibility for ISF and correctness of the data rests with importer.

Typically, the ISF Importer is the goods’ owner, purchaser, or consignee.

If you are now shipping from China to US, be aware of ISF.

The good news is you will be free from the filing process if you using port to door service.

A reliable China freight forwarder and their US agent partner will coordinate and handle it for you.

How much does it for ISF filing ?

Normally our ISF filing cost is USD 35/BL.

And a ISF bond is required for a filing. Cost is 0.6% x cargo value, min USD 120.

If the importer already has a continuous bond, this is sufficient.

What's the difference between ISF and AMS ?

Despite some information are the same, but ISF and AMS are not the same system.

Typically,

AMS is mainly about information on the bill of lading, especially goods information, which is the matching between HBL and MBL, so it affects the shipping;

While ISF is mainly the information of companies at both ends of the supply chain, it have more impact on import customs clearance in the United States.

When must the ISF be filed?

As introduced in the definition, ISF data must be filed 24 hours before vessel sailing at the loading port, otherwise $5000 penalty could be charged.

How to check isf filing status ?

Upon submitting ISF data in approximately 4-6 hours, you will receive confirmation receipt from CBP.

But how to check if it is successfully submitted and passed by CBP ?

There are 3 ways to do that :

Check whether ISF Transaction Number is visible. It’s a unique identifier generated by CBP after ISF filed.
Check whether ISF match AMS. If the B/L numbers are not the exactly the same, that means your ISF is not successfully filed.
Check your email with CBP ABI status ( Y / N ) message.

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CONCLUSION

Need Assistance ?

That’s all for ISF filing topic.

In short, filing it successed and timely for your FCL and LCL shipments to US.

If you meet other questions of shipping, FreightKim term is here to help.

If you plan to ship from China, now or in the future, please contact me, and I will provide you with a solution subsequently.

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