Foreign-trade Glossary + Calculators
Charges
Importer Security Filing (ISF / 10+2)
A U.S. Customs (CBP) requirement to file import security data before vessel loading for ocean shipments to the U.S., known as 10+2, with penalties for late or missing filings.
Importer Security Filing (ISF), commonly called 10+2, is a security-filing regime run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for ocean cargo imported into the United States. It requires the import side to submit the prescribed data elements to CBP electronically before the cargo is loaded at the origin port (10 elements from the importer, 2 from the carrier). It applies to ocean shipments only, not air.
- Timing: it must generally be filed before the cargo is loaded onto the U.S.-bound vessel; late, missing or inaccurate filings can draw CBP penalties.
- Who is responsible: the legal filing obligation rests with the U.S. ISF Importer, but in practice it is usually delegated to a U.S. broker/forwarder, which is why an ISF filing fee appears on invoices as a service charge.
- Relevance to Chinese exporters: although the obligation is on the U.S. side, much of the data, shipper, consignee, manufacturer, HS code, stuffing location, comes from the Chinese exporter. Late or inaccurate data can cause the buyer to miss the filing and be fined, harming the relationship, so provide it early and accurately.
FAQ
- Is ISF something the Chinese exporter has to file?
- The legal obligation is on the U.S. importer, usually handled by its U.S. broker. But the exporter must provide accurate shipper, manufacturer, HS-code and stuffing-location data on time, or the buyer cannot file and may be penalized by CBP.
- Does air freight to the U.S. require ISF?
- No. ISF (10+2) applies only to ocean cargo imported into the U.S.; air freight has its own separate security requirements and is outside the scope of ISF.
Sources: https://www.cbp.gov/trade/programs-administration/security-filing/importer-security-filing-102-program · https://www.cbp.gov/