Single Entry Bond

Every time a commercial shipment crosses into the United States, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires a guarantee that all duties, taxes, and fees will be paid. That guarantee comes in the form of a customs bond. A single entry bond covers exactly one import transaction, and it’s the go-to option for businesses that import infrequently or are bringing in a one-time shipment.

How a Single Entry Bond Works

A single entry bond is a contract between three parties: the importer (the principal), a surety company licensed by the U.S. Treasury, and CBP. The surety company pledges to pay CBP if the importer fails to meet their obligations, which include paying duties, responding to CBP inquiries, and following all import regulations tied to that specific shipment.

The bond amount must equal the commercial value of the goods plus any applicable duties and fees. So if you’re importing $25,000 worth of product with an estimated 7% duty rate, your bond needs to cover at least $26,750. Some commodity types, especially those regulated by agencies like the FDA or CPSC, require higher bond amounts regardless of shipment value.

Single Entry vs. Continuous Bond

The alternative is a continuous bond (also called an annual bond), which covers all imports for an entire year at a flat premium. A continuous bond typically costs $400 to $600 per year for a standard $50,000 bond amount. A single entry bond, by contrast, runs between $50 and $100 per transaction but scales with the shipment’s value, usually costing around 0.5% to 2% of the total bond amount.

The math is straightforward. If you’re importing fewer than four or five shipments per year, single entry bonds usually cost less overall. Once you cross that threshold, a continuous bond saves money. Sellers who import seasonally, say one large production run for Q4 holiday inventory, often find the single entry bond is the better call.

Timing and Filing

One detail that catches first-time importers off guard: you can’t get a single entry bond at the last minute and expect it to clear instantly. The bond must be in place before your goods arrive at the port of entry. If it isn’t, your shipment sits. Port storage fees at major facilities like the Port of Long Beach run $75 to $150 per container per day after the free time window expires, usually two to four days. Delays cascade fast.

Your customs broker files the bond electronically through CBP’s Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) system. Most brokers can turn around a single entry bond in 24 to 48 hours, but some surety companies require additional documentation for high-value shipments or first-time importers. Plan for at least a week of lead time if it’s your first import.

Common Mistakes

Undervaluing the bond is the most frequent error. If CBP determines the bond amount doesn’t cover the actual value of the goods plus duties, they’ll reject the entry and demand a new bond at the correct level. That means reprocessing, additional broker fees, and more days of port storage. Another mistake is assuming the bond covers re-export or in-bond transit. It doesn’t. Those require separate arrangements.

Importers also sometimes confuse the bond with insurance. A customs bond doesn’t protect your goods from damage or loss. It protects CBP’s revenue interest. If your container arrives with water damage, the bond won’t help you, but you still owe the duties.

Why This Matters for Amazon and Ecommerce Sellers

If you’re sourcing products from overseas suppliers and shipping directly to an FBA warehouse or a 3PL prep center, the customs bond is one of the first requirements you’ll hit. Many ecommerce sellers start with single entry bonds for their initial test orders, then switch to a continuous bond once they’ve validated their product and committed to regular restocks. A 3PL that handles inbound freight coordination can manage this transition for you, making sure your bond type, broker filings, and delivery scheduling all line up so product moves from port to prep to Amazon without unnecessary holds or storage charges.