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Acting Quickly with Sufficiency Letters

Customs periodically monitors the sufficiency of active bonds they have on file. If Customs finds that an active Importer bond is not sufficient based on the import activity of the principal, they will provide a sufficiency notice to the principal requiring the bond to be rewritten at a higher amount. When sending this notice to … Read more

Making Changes to a Bond

The easiest and most common way to make a change to any bond is to file a rider, however, Customs only permits changes through four (4) specific riders. Changes not defined by these riders require the bond to be rewritten. Riders available to change the information on the bond are: an Address change rider, a … Read more

What is an Importer Bond?

An importer bond, or Activity Code 1, is the most common type of Customs bond. This type of bond allows an importer of merchandise to bring their goods into the United States. The bond guarantees that the entry paperwork is filed correctly by the principal or principal’s customs broker and the appropriate amount of duties, … Read more

Customs and Border Protection Revises Liquidated Damage Practices for Late Files and Mitigation Formulas

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is in the process of making significant changes to its disposition of liquidated damage claims. One such change is to the amount CBP will assess upon mitigation of an initial claim for liquidated damages, upon receipt of a petition seeking relief and/or demonstrating the existence of mitigating factors. Preliminary indications … Read more

What is a Single Entry Bond?

A single entry bond (or single transaction bond) is a one-time use bond. Customs will accept single entry Importer bonds, Drawback bonds and International Carrier bonds. The most common single entry bond is the Importer bond. This type of bond can be used if the principal has an entry that must be cleared and does … Read more

Interested in Sending Payment Electronically?

C.A. Shea is pleased to offer brokers the ability to remit payment via wire transfer. This allows your account to update the day we receive payment, rather than waiting for a check to clear. It also cuts down on the amount of paper generated to issue a check. If you would like to pay premiums via … Read more

What is an Airport Security Bond?

According to Customs: “Customs security area” means the Federal inspection services area at any airport accommodating international air commerce designated for processing passengers, crew, their baggage and effects arriving from, or departing to, foreign countries, as well as the aircraft deplaning and ramp area and other restricted areas designated by the port director. These areas … Read more

ITC Bonds

The United States International Trade Commission (or ITC) is an independent, quasijudicial Federal agency with broad investigative responsibilities on matters of trade. The agency is charged with, amongst other things, adjudicating cases involving imports that allegedly infringe on intellectual property rights. When they have determined that imported goods do infringe on intellectual property rights, they … Read more