Federal Customs Bond Application
Overview
U.S. Customs and Border Protection requires importers, brokers, and freight forwarders to post a Federal Customs Bond before goods can clear the border. This bond protects the federal government by guaranteeing that all duties, taxes, and fees owed on imported merchandise will be paid. Without an active bond on file with CBP, your shipments cannot legally be released into domestic commerce. Bond Titan makes it straightforward to get this federally mandated coverage in place so your supply chain keeps moving.
Who Needs This Bond?
If you import goods into the United States — whether as a licensed customs broker, an importer of record, a freight forwarder, or a foreign trade zone operator — you need a Federal Customs Bond. Any party responsible for ensuring that CBP collects the correct duties and fees on a shipment is required to maintain this bond. It applies to both continuous bonds, which cover all shipments over a 12-month period, and single-entry bonds, which cover one transaction. If CBP or your licensed customs broker has told you a bond is required before your cargo releases, this is the bond you need.
What is this Bond For?
Federal Customs Bonds guarantee that the importer of record or licensed broker will comply with all CBP regulations and pay every duty, tax, penalty, or charge assessed on imported goods. If those obligations go unpaid or regulations are violated, CBP can make a claim against the bond to recover what is owed. This protects the federal government and, by extension, the broader public revenue system that depends on lawful trade compliance. The bond does not protect the importer — it holds the importer accountable to CBP.
When is it Required?
This bond must be active before CBP will release any commercial shipment into U.S. commerce — there is no grace period and no retroactive coverage. For continuous bonds, the requirement recurs annually, and a lapse even by a single day can trigger shipment holds and compliance flags on your CBP account. Single-entry bonds must be in place for that specific entry before it is filed. Importers who experience growth in shipment volume should also review whether their existing bond amount still meets CBP's 10% rule for continuous bonds.
Where Does it Apply?
Federal Customs Bonds are a federal requirement governed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and apply at every port of entry across the United States. There is no state-level equivalent — this bond operates under federal authority regardless of where your goods enter the country. Whether your shipments arrive in Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, or any other port, the same federal bond requirement applies.
How to Buy Online
Click 'Buy This Bond Online' to open the secure surety portal in a new tab. Complete the application with your business and shipment details, and your bond documentation will be processed and delivered electronically. No agent callback required — the entire process is designed to move as fast as your freight does.
Why Bond Titan?
Bond Titan is powered by The Southern Agency, giving you access to a nationwide surety bond catalog through a single fast online platform. You can purchase your Federal Customs Bond without waiting on paperwork, phone calls, or an agent's schedule. We built this process for importers and brokers who need coverage in place now, not next week.