ACE ISF
Can I amend the bill of lading number on the ISF?
From a transactional standpoint, the system will allow an ISF Filer to update an existing ISF with a new bill of lading number. The ISF Importer is ultimately responsible for the timely, accurate, and complete submission of the ISF. It can still be ...
I received rejection 'SA7 CONT BOND NOT ON FILE / S17 ISF IMP NBR NOT ON FILE'. What does it mean?
If you got this Rejection: How to Resolve: ADD Zeros on the following part and resubmit: ISF Importer Document Number Bond Holder Number Importer of Record Consignee **If still Rejected after doing the above mentioned steps. Call GeTS support to do a ...
What are the ISF bond requirements?
An ISF bond is a type of surety bond required for all containerized ocean shipments imported into the United States. U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) designates this bond as an “Activity Code 16 – Importer Security Filing (ISF) Bond.” An ISF ...
When the ISF-5 will be filed, who can be Importer of Record?
For IE and T&E in-bond shipments, and goods to be delivered to an FTZ, the ISF Importer will be the party filing the IE, T&E, or FTZ documentation.
Who is responsible to file ISF?
The importer of record is ultimately responsible to file mandatory for all imports by sea freight.
If I use the flexible filing option, and later find that the information was correct as entered, am I required to update the ISF?
If you utilize a flexible filing option (FR = Flexible Range, FT = Flexible Timing, or FX = Flexible Range and Flexible Timing) indicator in the initial transmission, then you must send an ISF with the CT = Compliant Transaction indicator to finalize ...
Who is the ISF Importer of Record for Immediate Exportation (I.E.) and Transportation and Exportation (T & E) in-bond movements that require the ISF 5?
The party that is transmitting the ISF to CBP is considered to be the ISF Importer for these transactions. If a customs broker transmits a T&E on behalf of a client, the customs broker is the ISF Importer.
What are the ISF Requirements for Household Goods/Personal Effects? Do you need an ISF Bond?
CBP’s FAQ states, “As a matter of policy, certain types of ISF coded transactions will not require a bond to cover the ISF requirements.” The bond requirements have been waived for the following types, but please refer to CBP’s Q&A document for full ...
How do I file ISF for trans-loaded or trans-shipments? What port is considered for the 24-hour rule when cargo is trans-shipped from one foreign port to another before arriving in the U.S.?
Per CBP regulation, the ISF is required to be filed 24 hours prior to the container being loaded on the vessel destined for the U.S. (the mother vessel), not the feeder vessel. CBP measures the timeliness of an ISF taking the Vessel Departure Date ...
Can ISF claims be mitigated? If so, what are the guidelines?
The mitigation guidelines can be found at www.avalonrisk.com/questnewsletter/news/mitigation.pdf, they can be summarized as follows, however please refer to the CBP guidelines for exact information: • First Time ISF Violation: Can be reduced to ...
Does CBP check the accuracy of ISF data by comparing it with the entry data?
CBP has confirmed that there is no comparison between the ISF data and the entry data, nor is there a specific requirement that it matches. ISF is not used for trade compliance, only security. If a shipment is withheld due to a non-filing of an ISF, ...
How is Customs going to handle first time importers, one-time importers, and those who have cargo arrive but have never heard of ISF before?
Importers that have a shipment arrive with no prior ISF completed can expect CBP to withhold release of the shipment and also conduct an NII. CBP may also conduct examinations of the cargo to encourage bond usage for future shipments subject to ISF. ...
What is the ISF Submission Type 5 “Late ISF-10 - No Bond” or ISF Submission Type 6 “Late ISF-5 – No Bond”?
Importers who are unable to secure a bond after the deadline required to file an ISF may elect to use the ISF Submission Type 5 “Late ISF-10 - No Bond” or ISF Submission Type 6 “Late ISF-5 – No Bond” (these new submission types are replacing the ...
If an importer does not have a C1 Continuous Bond, can an ISF be processed without an ISF-D Single Transaction Bond to cover the transaction?
In CBP’s FAQ dated 07/09/10, pages 51-52 contained a provision to allow this for Late ISF Filings or cargo that arrived in the U.S. with no ISF. CBP indicates this option is still valid even though the FAQ date of 6/30/11 has expired. The trade ...
T&E 62 In-Bonds 5+2 what is the current status for the bond requirements?
ISF Enforcement currently applies only to ISF-10s and carrier messages for vessel stow plans and container status messages. ISF-5s for FROB, IE or T&E cargo is not currently subject to ISF Enforcement. CBP has indicated that enforcement for ISF-5s ...
What if I file an ISF that has already been filed by another party?
If an ISF is received by CBP with the same Bill Number and ISF Importer Number as one submitted in a previous ISF by a different filer, CBP accepts the duplicate ISF with a warning to let the filer know that a different party previously filed an ISF ...
Often the value of cargo is less than the penalty for failure to file. What happens if the cargo is abandoned and goes G.O? Can/Will CBP issue a penalty, and if so to whom?
If the cargo is abandoned and no ISF or bond was ever filed, there should be no claim issued against that shipment if there is no bond that obligated the ISF transaction.
Can I still file ISF if the cargo has arrived? Is it true that I can still file ISF as long as the cargo has not left customs custody. Is this correct?
Yes, in order to get cargo released and file an entry, an ISF must be filed. CBP will continue to accept the ISF submission types 5 and 6 commonly known as “Late ISF - No Bond” options to complete the filing without a bond until further notice to the ...
Is the "origin" referring to the origin loading port or the last loading foreign port? Some ocean carriers transship and won't manifest the mother vessel till after departure from last foreign port?
Yes the “origin” is referring to the original loading port that is destined for the U.S. You should continue to match the B/L in AMS to ensure you have a complete ISF prior to cargo arrival in the U.S. and preferably 24 hours prior to arrival to ...
Should I submit a change in ISF if I already have ISF “Bill On File” status in AMS?
Yes, the data should be updated. The ISF must be updated “if, after the filing is submitted and before the goods enter the limits of a port in the United States, any of the information submitted changes or more accurate information becomes ...
Will there be a penalty if an ISF has no AMS match?
Yes, there can be a penalty if there is no AMS match prior to the cargo’s arrival in the U.S. You should continue to query the bill of lading in AMS to get a match so the ISF will be considered complete and accurate prior to arrival of the cargo in ...
On bill mismatch errors, are they targeting the master bill, house bill, or both?
Per CBP, ISFs should be filed against the lowest bill of lading denominator either the House or Regular B/L.
How accurate does CBP expect on HTS number(s) on ISF?
The ISF chapter of the CATAIR states that the requirement for ISF-10 on the Harmonized Tariff Schedule is at minimum to the 6-digit level. Although CBP will not be comparing the ISF to the entry unless there is an examination of the cargo, CBP would ...
What is definition of inaccurate ISF filing?
CBP has not clarified what an inaccurate filing would be, but indicates many ISFs are incomplete. Some of the required data elements are missing, most common includes missing bond information and/or no match in AMS on the Bill of Lading. CBP does ...
If an ISF is not filed, will the carrier receive a Do Not Load message? Should the carrier refrain from loading the cargo if the ISF is not filed at origin?
Per CBP, carriers are not liable for ISF filing so they are not exposed to liquidated damages if they load a non-compliant cargo as that remains the ISF Importer of Record’s responsibility. It would be up to each carrier to require proof of an ISF ...
Who can file the Importer Security Filing?
The ISF importer or his agent will be responsible for filing the complete, accurate, and timely importer Security Filing. ISF importer means the party causing goods to arrive within the limits of a port in the United States. For foreign cargo ...
I am getting an "AMS Bill Not Matched" response against my Master Bill in ISF. How do I proceed?
The AMS Bill Match for a Master is not required. The ISF needs to be submitted at the lowest bill of lading level (i.e., house bill or regular bill) that is transmitted into AMS. As such, you will not get a match for a master.
What is an Importer of Record Number?
An importer of record number can be an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) number, Employer Identification Number (EIN), Social Security Number (SSN), or a CBP assigned number of the entity liable for payment of all duties and responsible for meeting all ...
My ISF is accepted, but I am seeing "Bill Not on File" as a response. How should I proceed?
The Bill of Lading Number is required to be submitted to CBP by the carrier or NVOCC 24 hours before vessel arrival in the United States. Common reasons for "Accepted, no Bill on File" message: ISF filing preceded the carrier/NVOCC's AMS filing. As ...
What is the difference between a Regular Bill and House Bill?
Regular Bill: defined as a non-Master bill of lading with NO UNDERLYING house bills. For ISF, this is the bill reported to CBP in AMS, which is also referred to as “Straight Bill” or “Simple Bill”. House Bill: defined as a bill of lading issued ...
What is the required time frame for reporting amendments to an ISF?
An ISF must be amended if there is a change or more accurate information becomes available. For flexible timing options, amendments should be updated as soon as they are known, but amendments should not be made 24 hours prior to arrival of the ...
What is a Agent/Filer Code?
A filer code is a unique identification code issued by CBP. If a SCAC is not available (e.g. for brokers), a 4-character identifier will be issued by CBP and will be required on every ISF transmission.