Quickstart Guide

Welcome to the Import Bonds Quickstart guide! Follow these steps to secure your direct-to-consumer US Customs bond.

1. Choose Your Bond Type

Before applying, determine which bond best fits your business needs:

• Continuous Bond ($450/year): The most cost-effective option for regular importers. Covers all shipments for 12 months.
• Single Entry Bond ($50/entry): Best for one-time or occasional shipments.

2. Prepare Your Information

To complete the application, you will need the following details:

• Business Name: As registered with the IRS.
• EIN/Tax ID: Your Employer Identification Number.
• Import Volume: Estimated total value of imports for the next 12 months (for continuous bonds).
• Principal Contact: Name and email of the person authorized to sign for the business.

3. Submit Your Application

Click the “Apply Now” button on our Pricing Page to start the digital application.

• Fast Entry: Our smart form validates your EIN and business details in real-time.
• E-Signature: Sign the bond application digitally—no printing or scanning required.

4. Payment and Filing

Once your application is submitted:

• Secure Payment: Pay for your bond via credit card or ACH.
• Electronic Filing: We instantly transmit your bond data to CBP via the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE).
• Confirmation: You will receive a copy of your approved bond (Form 301) via email, usually within minutes.

5. Share with Your Broker

While we provide the bond directly, you still need to provide the bond number to your customs broker or freight forwarder so they can reference it on your entry filings.

• Automated Sharing: You can add your broker’s email during checkout, and we’ll automatically send them the bond details.

6. Compliance Monitoring

Your Import Bonds dashboard will display your current bond status.

• Renewal Alerts: We’ll notify you 60 days before your continuous bond expires.
• Sufficiency Tracking: We track your import volume and alert you if your bond amount needs to be increased to remain compliant.

Congratulations! Your business is now fully bonded and ready for import operations.