What is ISF ?

ISF, stands for Importer Security Filing, required by the United States Customs and Border Protection (CPB) for containerized cargo imports.

ISF information must be be filed with CPB 24 hours prior to vessel sailing from origin port to US.

Known as “10+2” document,  ISF requires importers to provide 10 data elements to CBP and 2 other documents from the shipping carrier.

Interpretation

ISF filing is applicable to import containerized shipments to US only, it’s not required for shipments to other countries.

ISF is required for FCL and LCL ocean shipments. An Importer Security Filing is not required for bulk cargo , air cargo and courier parcel.

ISF must be filed timely, completely and accurately by importers.

What will happen if ISF Filing failed ?

ISF data must be filed and submitted in an accurate and timely manner.

Failure to do (  No file, wrongly filed, or later than requested ) so may result in severe penalty.

If it has not been filed succeeded, isf filing penalty of up to US$5,000 can be incurred.

What’s more, CBP may withhold the release or transfer of the cargo, inspections and cargo delays can apply.

The 10+2 data elements

  Importer Security Filing consists of two separate transmissions to U.S. Customs:

10 pieces of information from supplier or importer

2 data sets to be supplied by the carrier

Importers (or their freight broker) are responsible for the 10 additional data elements while carriers will need to submit 2 of the remaining data elements.

These together constitute the so-called ISF 10+2.

Data from the importer or supplier:

Data from the carrier:

Besides that, The B/L number is required as part of the ISF filing.

MBL Number and SCAC

AMS HBL# and SCAC

ISF must be matched to B/L, otherwise, cargo shipments will be marked with a failure to file ISF status.

Who is responsible for filing the isf ?

Always keep that in mind that ultimate responsibility for ISF and correctness of the data rests with importer.

Typically, the ISF Importer is the goods’ owner, purchaser, or consignee.

If you are now shipping from China to US, be aware of ISF.Normally your Broker will assist you to file the ISF. But if you are taking door to door delivery service, then your China forwarder and their US agent will coordinate and handle it for you timely.