Customs Bond Explained
What they are, why you need one, and which type is right for you.
A customs bond (also called a customs surety bond or import bond) is a financial guarantee between you, a surety company, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). It ensures that all duties, taxes, and fees owed to the US government will be paid, and that all import regulations will be followed.
Do I Need a Customs Bond?
Yes, if you are importing commercially into the US. A customs bond is required for:
- Any commercial import valued at $2,500 or more
- Any goods subject to federal agency requirements (FDA, USDA, CPSC, EPA, TTB) regardless of value
- Goods subject to AD/CVD orders or other trade remedies
Single Entry Bond vs. Continuous Bond
| Single Entry Bond | Continuous Bond | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | One entry | All entries for 12 months |
| Best for | One-time or rare importers | Regular importers (2+ per year) |
| Amount | Value + duties + fees | $50,000 minimum |
| Typical cost | $50–$600+ per entry | $300–$600+ per year |
| Setup time | Same day | 1–3 business days |
What Happens If Your Bond Is Insufficient?
CBP periodically reviews bond sufficiency. If your import volume or duty payments increase significantly, CBP may issue a bond insufficiency notice requiring you to increase your bond amount within a short timeframe. An insufficient bond can result in holds on all your shipments until resolved.
How Your Broker Helps
Your customs broker can procure a bond for you through their surety relationships. They also monitor your activity and advise when a bond increase is needed—before CBP demands it. This proactive approach prevents the disruption of a surprise insufficiency notice.
Need a customs bond?
We procure single entry bonds same-day and set up continuous bonds within 1–3 business days.
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