| ISF stands for Importer Security Filing. As of | | | | work directly with a customs broker or |
| January 26, 2009, all importers in the United States | | | | transportation and logistics company to handle the |
| must notify US Customs and Border Protection of | | | | filing requirements. US Customs and Border |
| any ocean freight coming into the US. This rule was | | | | Protection realized that compliance would be difficult |
| put into practice so that the Department of | | | | for some, so they granted a one year delay on |
| Homeland Security would have knowledge of all | | | | enforcement. Now that January 26, 2010 has |
| foreign imports shipping out by ocean freight, 24 | | | | passed, bonds are required for importing by way of |
| hours prior to the event. This rule was put into | | | | ocean shipping. You must obtain the bond before |
| place to protect the US from acts of terrorism. | | | | you can file. |
| Notification must be provided at least 24 hours prior | | | | Four types of bonds are acceptable and meet the |
| to ocean freight loading for shipment to the US. | | | | ISF filing requirement; custodial bonds, basic |
| The "10+2" portion of the filing rule refers to the | | | | importation bonds, international carrier bonds, and |
| importer reporting 10 required data elements to US | | | | foreign trade zone operator bonds. Continuous |
| Customs and Border Protection, and the carrier | | | | bonds are preferred. |
| reporting 2 additional data elements. | | | | If you are an importer using a transportation |
| These are the 10 data elements required from the | | | | company to handle the import filing process, the |
| importer: | | | | transportation company can use their bonds to file |
| 1. Manufacturer or supplier name and address | | | | and secure the transaction. However, the liability of |
| 2. Seller or owner name and address | | | | accuracy still lies on the importer. Bonding is required |
| 3. Buyer or owner name and address | | | | for both filing and entry of the ocean freight. |
| 4. Ship-to name and address | | | | Some importers use specialty software to bring 10+2 |
| 5. Container stuffing location | | | | ISF filing in-house. By using this software or |
| 6. Consolidator or stuffer name and address | | | | application, ISF entries can be sent directly to |
| 7. Importer of record number/foreign trade zone | | | | customs. Most importers find it possible to do their |
| applicant identification number | | | | own ISF filing, but find the entry filing requirements |
| 8. Consignee number or numbers | | | | more difficult. Smaller importers are sometimes |
| 9. Country of origin | | | | unable to acquire the bonding that they need for |
| 10. Commodity Harmonized Tariff Schedule | | | | initial filing and entry filing, and find it necessary to go |
| number | | | | through a third party service provider. |
| These are the 2 data elements required from the | | | | Ocean freight and ocean shipping transportation and |
| carrier: | | | | logistics companies offer a wide variety of services, |
| 1. Vessel stow plan | | | | including 10+2 ISF bonding and filing. They also may |
| 2. Container status messages | | | | provide rail freight and cargo services, international |
| Many importers have little or no knowledge of US | | | | forwarding services, ocean cargo services, and more. |
| Customs bond systems. Therefore, most importers | | | | |