ISF Filing 10+2 Rule
What is the Importer Security Filing? (ISF 10+2)
Learn about the elements of the ISF Filing and why is it required for U.S. Customs.
If you are importing goods into the U.S by ocean vessel, the first filing required by CBP is the ISF Filing. This filing is required as part of Homeland Security measures to pre-screen all in coming goods into the United States to prevent terrorist acts or harmful goods which may enter the country.
The penalties set forth by the federal government for late ISF Filing is $5,000 per instance, and total $10,000 per shipment in aggregate if multiple offences are found within the shipment. All ISF's are required to be filed, even if late or goods arrived. Failure to file ISF may result in fines and delays to your shipment when arrived to port, such as costly intensive examinations.
ISF elements required to CBP
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Seller – Name and address of the Seller, who has sold the goods to the Buyer. The seller would be the overseas entity who have sold the goods. Sometimes this could be the same as the manufacturer of the goods.
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Buyer – Name and address of the Buyer who has paid the Seller. The Buyer is the entity who have made financial payment of the goods to the Seller. This may be the same party as the Importer of Record.
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Importer of Record – The IRS number, EIN, Social Security number, or Customs assigned of the Importer of Record. This entity liable for payment of all duties and responsible for meeting all statutory and regulatory requirements incurred as a result of importation.
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Consignee number – The IRS number, EIN, Social Security number, or Customs assigned imported number of the individual or firm in the U.S. on whose account the merchandise is shipped.
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Manufacturer – Name and address of the entity that last manufacturers, assembles, produces the good, or grows the commodity.
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Ship to party – Name and address of where the goods will go to physically after the release from Customs.
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Country of Origin – Country of manufacture, production, or growth of the article, based upon the import laws, rules and regulations of the U.S. This is the same information declared on the Customs entry.
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Harmonized Tariff Schedule number – The HTS Tariff Number under which the article is classified in the HTSUS. The HTS Code identifies all imported goods which also determines the import duty rate and any special requirements if applicable.
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Container stuffing location – Name and address(es) of the physical location(s) where the goods were stuffed into the container.
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Consolidator – Name and address of the party who stuffed the container or arranged for stuffing of the container.
Vessel Sailing Information: The Bill of Lading numbers when considered should be the 11th element to the ISF Filing. The
bill of lading numbers ties in your shipment with the ISF information submitted to CBP.
Carrier's Responsibility: The other 2 elements are provided to CBP by the carrier or steamship line:
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Vessel stow plan
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Container status message