SellerSays

Do you need a US customs bond?

You need a customs bond when you import commercially into the US and the shipment is worth more than $2,500 — or at any value when the goods are regulated by another federal agency (food, firearms, and similar). The bond is a guarantee to CBP that duties, taxes, and fees will be paid. Two forms exist: a Single Transaction Bond covering one importation (sized to the entered value plus duties), and a Continuous Bond covering all your shipments for 12 months, sized at 10% of your prior-year duties/taxes/fees with a $50,000 minimum. You buy either through a Treasury-licensed surety, usually via your customs broker.

Which bond, and roughly what it costs you

The choice is frequency: import a few times a year and STBs are simpler; import monthly and the continuous bond wins — one instrument, all entries, and it also satisfies ISF requirements for ocean freight. The bond amount is not the premium: a $50,000 continuous bond is a guarantee limit, and sureties charge an annual premium that is a small fraction of it (premiums are market-priced through brokers, so we don't quote a number).

Cross-border sellers hit this the moment they graduate from parcels to bulk: a pallet of inventory for FBA is a formal entry over $2,500, which means an importer of record, a bond, and usually a broker. Price that step into your first bulk-import landed cost rather than discovering it at the port.

Common questions

Do I need a bond for parcels under $2,500?
Generally no for informal entries of unregulated goods — but regulated commodities need a bond regardless of value, and formal-entry triggers (quota goods, AD/CVD) can force one at lower values.
Who is the bond for — me or my broker?
It covers you as the importer of record. Even with a broker filing, you remain ultimately responsible to CBP for duties and accuracy.

Official sources behind these numbers

  • CBP regulations require a customs bond to be filed for commercial imports worth more than $2,500. CBP · verified 2026-07-22
  • A customs bond is also required, regardless of value, for commodities subject to other federal agencies' requirements (CBP's examples: firearms, food). CBP · verified 2026-07-22
  • A Single Transaction Bond (STB) secures a one-time importation; it is generally written for the value of the merchandise plus duties, taxes, and fees. CBP · verified 2026-07-22
  • A Continuous Bond (CB) covers multiple transactions (all import shipments over a 12-month period) and remains valid until canceled by the importer or the surety. CBP · verified 2026-07-22
  • The minimum continuous (import) bond amount is $50,000, or 10% of the duties, taxes, and fees paid in the previous 12 months, whichever is greater. CBP · verified 2026-07-22
  • A customs bond is obtained by applying through a licensed surety company (Treasury-approved) or a licensed customs broker acting as the surety's agent; some freight forwarders also sell bonds. Filing uses CBP Form 301 plus a power of attorney. CBP · verified 2026-07-22
  • A customs bond is a contract guaranteeing that CBP will be paid all duties, taxes, and fees related to an import. CBP · verified 2026-07-22

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