Bonds

What is a Single Entry Bond?

A single entry bond (or single transaction bond) is a one-time use bond. Customs will accept single entry Importer bonds, Drawback bonds and International Carrier bonds. The most common single entry bond is the Importer bond. This type of bond can be used if the principal has an entry that must be cleared and does … Read more

What is an Airport Security Bond?

According to Customs: “Customs security area” means the Federal inspection services area at any airport accommodating international air commerce designated for processing passengers, crew, their baggage and effects arriving from, or departing to, foreign countries, as well as the aircraft deplaning and ramp area and other restricted areas designated by the port director. These areas … Read more

ITC Bonds

The United States International Trade Commission (or ITC) is an independent, quasijudicial Federal agency with broad investigative responsibilities on matters of trade. The agency is charged with, amongst other things, adjudicating cases involving imports that allegedly infringe on intellectual property rights. When they have determined that imported goods do infringe on intellectual property rights, they … Read more

Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties

Antidumping duties are special duties imposed upon importers of specific commodities from certain countries when the U.S. Department of Commerce feels that such importation may be harmful to domestic producers of these goods. Because of the involvement of other government agencies to determine these duties, such as the Department of Commerce, the entry liquidation period … Read more

What is a Carnet Bond?

The use of a Carnet allows a principal to avoid posting of financial security at the time of entry, eliminates value added taxes (VAT) and simplifies customs procedures. This is done under the premise that the goods being imported will leave the country in the same condition that they were entered and will not be … Read more

The New Customs Form 301 and What it Means for You

Effective January 1, 2012, Customs and Border Protection will require all new bonds to be filed on the new bond form 301. At this time, Customs has advised that only new bonds filed with an effective date of January 1, 2012 or later must be on the new bond form. Existing bonds will not be … Read more

Why is a current address so important?

It has become ever more important for bond principals to keep their bonds up to date. In the last few years, Customs has initiated a number of policies that can have a serious affect on your client’s ability to operate. The most serious of which is a “bad address.” When Customs receives mail returned as … Read more

What you or your client may not know about the Periodic Monthly Statement Program and the potential negative effects.

The periodic monthly statement program (see the side bar) is becoming more and more popular among importers. In a recent meeting with Customs, representatives of C.A. Shea learned that as many as 600 new importers a week sign up (or are signed up by their customs brokers) to pay their duties in this fashion. This … Read more

What is Reconciliation?

Reconciliation is a customs process in which participation requires a principal to add a special rider to their continuous importer bond.   It allows an importer to estimate the value of goods entering the U.S. and pay any duties, taxes and fees based on that amount. After a period of 18-21 months, when the importer has determined the … Read more