ISF Filing: All you need to know
Quick overview
Importer Security Filing, or ISF, is an advance electronic filing for cargo arriving in the United States by vessel. For a typical containerized ISF-10 shipment, eight data elements are due at least 24 hours before loading at the foreign port. Two additional elements have a later deadline, explained below. 19 CFR 149.2.
This guide focuses on ordinary containerized ocean imports. Confirm the filing category, responsible party and document cutoff with your appointed filer before the shipment is loaded.
What does ISF 10+2 mean?
The “10” refers to importer-side data elements. The “+2” refers to separate carrier reporting requirements: the vessel stow plan and container status messages. The importer does not submit twelve fields together under one common deadline. ISF data elements, vessel stow plan, container status messages.
ISF is a security filing. It does not by itself complete customs entry or authorize cargo release; entry requirements still need to be handled. The regulations allow certain information to be supplied through a combined transmission, but the obligations remain distinct. 19 CFR 149.6.
Who is responsible for ISF filing?
The regulations define the ISF Importer as the party causing goods to arrive within a US port by vessel. The precise party depends on the movement: the definition includes different provisions for ordinary imports, transit shipments, FTZ deliveries and foreign cargo remaining on board. Do not assume the ISF Importer and the Importer of Record are always the same party. 19 CFR 149.1.
The filing can be transmitted by the ISF Importer or an authorized agent. Electronic filing capability, agent authorization and appropriate bond coverage must be arranged. Filing and agent requirements.
Before shipment, agree in writing:
- Who is the ISF Importer for this movement.
- Who will transmit the filing and any amendments.
- Who supplies missing seller, manufacturer and stuffing details.
- Who confirms the applicable bond coverage.
- Who checks the filing response and follows up on errors.
Do not assume that buying freight transportation automatically includes ISF filing. Confirm the service scope with the booking team and appointed filer.
To see where the filing fits alongside bond coverage and the later import entry, follow our US ocean import timeline for ISF, customs bonds and clearance.
When is ISF filing due?
For ordinary containerized ISF-10 cargo, distinguish the regulatory deadlines from the earlier document cutoff your filer may set.
| Information | Regulatory timing |
|---|---|
| Seller, buyer, importer-of-record number/FTZ applicant ID and consignee number(s) | No later than 24 hours before loading at the foreign port. |
| Manufacturer/supplier, ship-to party, country of origin and HTSUS number | Initial information due by the same pre-loading deadline. Limited flexibility permits best-available initial responses, followed by updates. |
| Container stuffing location and consolidator/stuffer | As early as possible, no later than 24 hours before arrival at a US port. For voyages under 24 hours to the closest US port, due upon loading. |
| More precise information for the four flexible elements | Update as soon as available; no later than 24 hours before US arrival, or upon loading for the short voyages described above. |
The four flexible elements are not permission to omit them from the initial filing. Information that changes before the goods enter a US port must also be updated. 19 CFR 149.2(b), (d) and (f).
Ask the filer to specify the relevant loading event, cutoff time and time zone. An estimated sailing date alone is not a sufficiently precise operational deadline.
What information is required for ISF-10?
| Data element | Information to assemble |
|---|---|
| Seller | Relevant seller name and address. |
| Buyer | Relevant buyer name and address. |
| Importer of record number / FTZ applicant identification number | Applicable identifying number, not only a company name. |
| Consignee number(s) | Applicable identifying number(s). |
| Manufacturer or supplier | Name and address of the qualifying party. |
| Ship-to party | Name and address of the first scheduled physical recipient after customs release. |
| Country of origin | Origin determined under US import rules. |
| Commodity HTSUS number | At least six digits; classification must describe the goods. |
| Container stuffing location | Physical location name and address. |
| Consolidator or stuffer | Name and address of the party stuffing the container or arranging the stuffing. |
The manufacturer/supplier, origin and HTSUS information must be linked at line-item level. Confirm the correct bill-of-lading reference at the lowest applicable level, including the house bill where applicable. 19 CFR 149.3(a).
The HS and HTS code guide explains the code systems. Ask your customs broker to resolve classification questions for the actual goods.
ISF document and responsibility timeline
This is a recommended coordination sequence. It does not create an additional legal deadline or replace the timing table above.
| Stage | Documents or information to gather | Practical owner and action |
|---|---|---|
| When arranging the shipment | Importer details, filer authorization and bond information | Importer and appointed filer confirm roles and coverage. |
| Before the filer’s document cutoff | Commercial invoice or transaction details, party addresses, product descriptions, origin and classification information | Importer obtains missing information from the seller and supplier. |
| As booking references become available | Booking details and the correct bill-of-lading reference | Forwarder/carrier and filer reconcile the shipment reference. |
| Before the initial filing deadline | Completed ISF data worksheet and responses to the filer’s questions | Filer transmits the data and checks the system response. |
| When packing details are confirmed | Stuffing address, stuffer details and any revised cargo information | Supplier/consolidator sends the information promptly; filer handles required additions or amendments. |
| During transit and before arrival | Shipment changes and filing-status follow-up | Importer and filer resolve outstanding issues and keep the filing current. |
| During customs-entry preparation | Final commercial documents and entry instructions | Importer and broker handle the separate entry and release process. |
A packing list can support cargo reconciliation, but it does not necessarily contain all ISF data. Use the packing-list guide to prepare the shipment details.
An ISF worksheet sent to a broker is a collection tool. Ask for confirmation that the electronic filing was transmitted and accepted, and that any shipment-reference issues have been resolved. Do not treat sending an email as evidence of a completed filing.
ISF-10 versus ISF-5
| Shipment category | Filing approach |
|---|---|
| Goods intended for US entry, or delivery to an FTZ | The ten-element filing generally applies. |
| Foreign cargo remaining on board (FROB), immediate exportation (IE), or transportation and exportation (T&E) | The five-element filing applies under the specified categories. |
The five elements are booking party, foreign port of unlading, place of delivery, ship-to party and HTSUS number. 19 CFR 149.3(b).
FROB information is due before loading; IE and T&E information is due at least 24 hours before loading. Do not apply the ISF-10 arrival-stage flexibility to these categories. 19 CFR 149.2(b)(4)–(5).
Qualifying bulk cargo is exempt. Qualifying breakbulk cargo can have a different filing deadline, but is not automatically exempt from filing. Air, truck and rail arrivals are outside this vessel-specific filing requirement. Have the filer confirm any exception. 19 CFR 149.4, scope of the vessel filing requirement.
Does ISF require a bond?
The rules provide for several qualifying bond types, including an importer security filing bond. An existing bond may provide the necessary coverage, depending on its type and conditions. If the ISF Importer lacks the required bond, the regulation also permits the submitting agent to post its own bond. 19 CFR 149.5(b).
Ask the filer or surety to confirm the coverage for your shipment. Do not assume every ocean shipment needs a new separate ISF bond, or that an entry bond automatically covers every ISF arrangement.
A bond is a financial guarantee; it does not replace the filing or remove the need to correct inaccurate information.
How much does ISF filing cost?
Request an itemized quote from the filing provider. Ask whether it includes:
- Initial ISF preparation and transmission.
- Any required bond arrangement.
- Amendments or additional handling.
- Customs entry services, if also requested.
Provider service charges and bond costs should be identified separately. An ISF filing quote is not the same as a complete customs-clearance or landed-cost quote.
What happens if an ISF is late or incorrect?
The basic importation and entry bond conditions specify $5,000 in liquidated damages for each ISF violation. This should not be described as an automatic minimum fine for every late shipment, a universal $50,000 charge, or a guarantee of the total financial exposure in an individual case. 19 CFR 113.62(j).
If the deadline has been missed or information is wrong, contact the appointed filer immediately. Provide the correct details, ask what submission or amendment is needed, and retain the communications and filing responses. Do not wait until arrival to report an issue or assume that a correction automatically removes liability.
If the shipment is no longer intended for the United States, the submitted ISF must be withdrawn with the reason. 19 CFR 149.2(e).
Arrange ISF coordination before loading
Have your shipment details ready and confirm who will file, which services are included and when the documents are needed. This applies to Spain-to-US shipments as well as other qualifying origins; shipment category and US vessel arrival determine the ISF analysis.
Explore US customs clearance and delivery services and ask the team to confirm ISF coordination and the filing scope for your booking.
Sources and further reading
- 19 CFR 149.1 — ISF Importer and cargo definitions.
- 19 CFR 149.2 — filing deadlines, updates and withdrawals.
- 19 CFR 149.3 — ISF-10 and ISF-5 data elements.
- 19 CFR 149.4 — bulk and breakbulk treatment.
- 19 CFR 149.5 — authorized filers and bond requirements.
- 19 CFR 113.62(j) — ISF liquidated-damages provision.
This guide provides general shipment-planning information. Confirm the requirements for your movement with the appointed filer or customs broker.
- 1. Quick overview
- 2. What does ISF 10+2 mean?
- 3. Who is responsible for ISF filing?
- 4. When is ISF filing due?
- 5. What information is required for ISF-10?
- 6. ISF document and responsibility timeline
- 7. ISF-10 versus ISF-5
- 8. Does ISF require a bond?
- 9. How much does ISF filing cost?
- 10. What happens if an ISF is late or incorrect?
- 11. Arrange ISF coordination before loading
- 12. Sources and further reading
Related Articles
