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CBP doesn't require an importer's license or permit . That part's easy. What they do require is an importer number on every entry form. If you have a business registered with the IRS, that's your employer identification number. If you're importing for yourself or your business isn't registered, your social security number works . There's also a CBP Form 5106 if you need them to assign you a number.
The catch? Other federal agencies might have their own permit requirements depending on what you're bringing in. Food, electronics, chemicals—they all have different rules. CBP handles the paperwork for these agencies, but you need to know what applies to your product .
Once your goods hit the port, you have 15 calendar days to file entry documents . Miss that window, and your shipment becomes "general order" cargo—moved to a bonded warehouse where you're on the hook for storage. Leave it there for six months, and CBP can sell it at auction .
This catches a lot of new importers off guard. They assume someone will tell them when to show up. But the carrier notifies the importer, not the other way around. If you're not paying attention, you can rack up thousands in storage fees before you even realize your goods are sitting in a warehouse.
If your goods arrive by vessel, you're looking at the Importer Security Filing—better known as ISF or "10+2." This has to be filed 24 hours before your cargo is loaded on the ship at the foreign port . The data elements include buyer and seller info, manufacturer, country of origin, and HTSUS numbers .
Miss that deadline, and fines start at $5,000 and can go up to $10,000 for repeat violations . In 2025, CBP started using AI to catch HS code mismatches faster, so accuracy matters more than ever .
Not every shipment needs the same treatment. For commercial goods valued under $2,500, you can file an informal entry . This is simpler—you can even do it in person at the port of entry once the carrier tells you your goods have arrived .
But watch out: some products can't use informal entry no matter how little they're worth. Quota goods, anti-dumping cases, and countervailing duty situations all require formal entry . And if you're shipping ocean cargo, ISF requirements apply regardless of value.
For shipments over $2,500, you're looking at formal entry. That means filing CBP Form 7501, posting a bond, and working through a two-step process: entry/immediate delivery, then entry summary within 10 working days of release .
Right now, shipments valued at $800 or less can enter duty-free under Section 321—the de minimis exemption . This has been a game-changer for e-commerce. But here's the thing: 2026 might see changes. There's talk of reforming the rules for high-volume, low-value shipments, especially from certain countries . If you're building a business model around Section 321, keep an eye on trade legislation.
For ocean freight, ISF is non-negotiable. The 10 importer elements include:
The two carrier elements are vessel stow plan and container status messages.
Total filing cost usually runs $80-120 per shipment, including the bond . You can get a single-entry bond for occasional shipments or a continuous bond if you're importing regularly—typically 10% of annual duties with a $50,000 minimum .
You can file everything yourself. Plenty of importers do. But if the paperwork makes your head spin, customs brokers exist for a reason. They're licensed by CBP (though not employed by them) and can handle the filing for you .
The key is remembering: even with a broker, you're the importer of record. That means you're ultimately responsible for everything submitted to CBP—duties, taxes, accuracy, the whole package . Don't hand off the paperwork and forget about it. Stay involved.
CBP has the right to examine any shipment . And here's the part that stings: you pay for it. Under 19 U.S.C. 1467, the importer bears the cost of making goods available for examination—unloading, reloading, moving to and from the exam site .
If your shipment goes to a Centralized Examination Station, they'll bill you for their services. A full devanning can run several hundred dollars . Rates vary by location, but it's not pocket change. Factor this into your landed cost calculations.
Import quotas control how much of certain commodities can enter during a specific period . There are two main types: absolute quotas (strict quantity limits) and tariff-rate quotas (lower duties up to a limit, then higher duties after) .
Currently, no commodities face absolute quota restrictions, but that can change. Tariff-rate quotas are active for certain agricultural products. Check the Commodity Status Report for fill levels before you ship .
Exporters need to hold onto documentation for five years from the date of export . That includes:
If CBP or the Commerce Department asks to see them and you can't produce them, you're looking at potential penalties.
The time to figure this out is before your goods leave the foreign port. Once they're on the water, your options get tight. Gather:
CBP publishes a directory of ports of entry. Find the port where your goods will arrive and call them. Ask for an import specialist who handles your type of commodity . They can give you classification advice, commodity-specific requirements, and duty rate guidance.
When you call, be ready with details: what the merchandise is, composition, intended use, country of origin, manufacturer, and pricing information . The more you can tell them, the more they can help.
CBP's website has more information than most people realize. Start with the Basic Importing and Exporting page . Read the Informed Compliance Publications for your product type. Use the Customs Rulings Online Search System (CROSS) to see how CBP has classified similar products .
If you really want to go deep, download Importing Into the United States. It's the official guide, and it's free .
For ocean shipments, ISF is where most penalties happen. Submit it 24 hours before loading . Use a certified system—either through a broker or directly via ACE. Make sure your HTSUS numbers match the current tariff schedule. And if anything changes after filing, update it immediately .
If you're relying on Section 321 for shipments under $800, keep tracking the 2026 reform discussions . If the threshold changes or certain countries get excluded, your business model might need to pivot.
Cargo exams happen. Storage fees happen. Currency fluctuations happen. Build a buffer into your pricing so you're not caught short when CBP pulls a container for inspection.
Importing to the US isn't rocket science, but it's not automatic either. The rules exist for a reason—security, safety, fair trade—and CBP expects you to follow them. The good news is that most of the information you need is freely available. The bad news is that nobody's going to chase you down if you miss something. The penalties come first.
First-time importers who succeed are the ones who ask questions before they ship, not after. They read the guides, call the port, talk to brokers, and check their HTSUS numbers twice. They know that the 15-day clock is ticking from arrival, and they're ready when the carrier calls.
You don't need to become a customs expert overnight. You just need to know what you don't know—and where to find the answers.
A: CBP doesn't require an importer's license, but you do need an importer number (EIN or SSN) for entry forms . Other federal agencies may require permits depending on your product.
A: It goes to a general order warehouse, where you pay storage fees. After six months, CBP can auction or destroy it .
A: ISF (Importer Security Filing) is required for ocean shipments. You must file it 24 hours before cargo is loaded on the vessel at the foreign port . Fines for non-compliance start at $5,000 .
A: Yes, under Section 321, shipments under $800 can enter duty-free . However, 2026 reforms may change this for certain countries or high-volume shippers .
A: Many first-time importers do. Brokers handle the paperwork and filing. Just remember: you're still responsible for the accuracy of everything submitted to CBP .
A: You pay for it. Examination costs—unloading, reloading, storage, transport to exam sites—are the importer's responsibility .
A: Five years from the date of export. This includes invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, licenses, and AES filings .
A: Use the Harmonized Tariff Schedule on the USITC website. You can also search CROSS (Customs Rulings Online Search System) to see how similar products have been classified .
A: Informal entry is for shipments under $2,500 and is simpler to file. Formal entry is required for shipments over $2,500 or for goods subject to quota, anti-dumping, or countervailing duties .
A: Yes. You can file directly through CBP's ACE portal. But make sure you understand the requirements first—errors can be expensive .
