• Impact of recent Section 232 or International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) actions on Customs Surety Bonds

    Question: With the increases in duties due to Section 232 or International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) actions, are importers increasing their customs bonds? Answer 1: Importers should conduct an estimate on their duty spend for the current year and then review their current bond amount.   Then work with thier surety to see if a […]

  • TIB Anticipatory Breach

    Question: Hi ICPA community!  Can someone help me where to send a voluntary tender and a TIB anticipatory breach notification?  The goods are medical devices. Should I send the docs / DIS to Port Director, CEE, OIO, etc.?  Thank you so much for your advice! Asked by: Irina Banks – irina.banks@gmail.com Answer 1: Good Afternoon, […]

  • CARM Bond

    Question: Hello! We are having a serious issue obtaining a bond in CARM. The Bond is required prior to May 20th. If we don’t have the Bond in place by the deadline then our Canadian Broker cannot clear any of our shipments. I registered for CARM a few years ago but haven’t used it much […]

  • Bond Sufficiency

    Question: So, we’re affected by all of the new tariffs (steel, aluminum, China, derivatives, etc). We’re trying to assess our customs import bonds to figure out how much to raise each bond.  But it’s hard to decide.  The constant “tariffs on, tariffs off, tariffs partially on again” drama is confusing and keeping us from being […]

  • Import Bond

    Question: My new company has a bond insured through a brokerage.  Is anyone familiar with this?  Pros and cons?  I am only familiar with working directly through a surety. Answer 1: Greetings, We work the same way, thru a broker for our bond. Next year we will work directly with the surety.  No pro’s to […]

  • SHIPMENT FROM CANADA TO MEXICO BOND QUESTION

    Question: Good day, I have a question regarding the need for bond on a shipment or racks (international instruments of trade) from Canada to Mexico for a non- auto decree customer; do the racks need to travel under a T & E bond?  If we have the UPRR broker do a T3 on this do […]

  • IOR Bonds

    Question: Hello, Is it possible for an IOR to put up the actual cash for a Continuous Customs bond and not go through a surety? (Yes, we had the same reaction you are having right now.) Can someone please point me to the bond regulations so we can investigate if it’s possible and then determine […]

  • Bond for export?

    Question: Does a US company need a bond to EXPORT goods of any kind of value? Answer 1: Bonds are only required for import shipments.  The bond is a guarantee from the importer that all duties, taxes and fees attached to the shipment will be paid. Answered by: tcrescue4you@gmail.com

  • Import Bonds Subsidiary

    Question: Question about import bonds. Our Corporation’s import bond is up for renewal (Corp A). Last year we bought a company that current has their own IOR # (EIN) and clears under their own import bond. Call them Subsidiary B.  The plan is to start merging them into the Corp entity. Treasury wants to close […]

  • FTZ Customs Bond

    Question: Hi All- we have an FTZ approved facility, but we do not currently import into this location using FTZ entry (only consumption). All previously imported FTZ inventory is cleared out, duty paid, etc. Should I maintain the FTZ Customs bond? Answer 1: My understanding is you have to maintain the bond until you close […]

  • Typical Collateral Level for Import Bonds

    Question: I’m curious regarding the typical level of collateral companies are providing their import bond providers for goods that are at risk for anti-dumping duties. Our CEO is questioning our level, but from my limited experience it’s pretty good (just under 20%). Would greatly appreciate any input from others on your experiences. Answer 1: Hello, […]

  • One Import bond with 2 co-principals

    Question: My company recently acquired another company.  The new company will operate as a separate entity however we would like to apply for one Import bond with 2 co-principals.  Please advise whether this would be an issue having 2 separate entities on one import bond rather than 2 separate import bonds for each entity.Thank you […]