The Importer Security Filing, or ISF, known as 10+2, is a US Customs and Border Protection requirement for ocean imports: the importer files ten data elements, and the carrier two, before the cargo is laden aboard at the foreign port, generally no later than 24 hours before loading.
The importer’s ten elements identify the parties and the goods: seller, buyer, importer of record, consignee, manufacturer, ship-to party, country of origin, commodity codes, container stuffing location, and consolidator. The carrier’s two are the vessel stow plan and container status messages.
ISF is a security screen, not an entry: it feeds targeting before the ship sails and complements the later customs entry. Late, inaccurate, or missing filings expose the importer to penalties per shipment and materially raise the odds of holds and exams on arrival.
ISF discipline is about the front of the journey, where tracking supplies the deadline: the container’s planned load at the origin port. Watching gate-in and vessel schedule in TrackingMCP against the filing status closes the loop, and later, a shipment that arrives with exam flags despite clean data prompts a review of the filing chain. Origin-port context sits on pages like Ningbo.
Customs procedures and filing requirements vary by country and change over time. This page is general orientation, not customs or legal advice. Confirm current rules with your customs broker or the relevant authority.
The Importer Security Filing, or ISF, known as 10+2, is a US Customs and Border Protection requirement for ocean imports: the importer files ten data elements, and the carrier two, before the cargo is laden aboard at the foreign port, generally no later than 24 hours before loading.
The importer of record or its agent, typically the customs broker or forwarder, using the shipment data assembled at booking. Responsibility stays with the importer even when filing is delegated.
CBP can assess penalties per violation and the shipment attracts scrutiny: holds and exams become likelier. Chronic lateness compounds the risk profile.
Track load-port timing →
Origin port pages →
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