CBP Form 7512: In-Bond Transportation Entry and Manifest

CBP Form 7512 is titled Transportation Entry and Manifest of Goods Subject to CBP Inspection and Permit. In plain English, it is the document behind an in-bond movement: cargo moving from one U.S. customs location to another without being formally entered into U.S. commerce at the first port.

In-bond movements are common in international logistics. A container arrives at Los Angeles but will clear in Chicago. A shipment enters the United States only to be exported through another port. Goods move from the port to a bonded warehouse. In each case, CBP needs a controlled movement record so the cargo does not disappear into commerce without an entry, duty deposit, or authorized export.

Historically, that movement was documented on paper Form 7512. Today, most in-bond applications are filed electronically through ACE or carrier systems. The form still matters because its fields define what CBP expects: class of entry, port, carrier, merchandise description, quantity, weight, value, seals, destination, and proof of delivery or export.

What Form 7512 Is Used For

Form 7512 supports transportation of goods under CBP control. The cargo is not simply “domestic freight.” It remains subject to customs supervision until the movement is closed properly. Common in-bond classes include:

• Immediate Transportation (IT). Cargo moves from the first U.S. port of arrival to another CBP port for entry or disposition.
• Transportation and Exportation (T&E). Cargo moves through the United States for export from another port.
• Immediate Exportation (IE). Cargo is exported from the port of arrival without entering U.S. commerce.
• Warehouse withdrawal or re-warehouse movements. Goods move under bond between bonded locations.
• Foreign Trade Zone movements. Cargo moves into or out of FTZ-related customs control.

For importers, the key is that an in-bond movement delays final customs entry; it does not eliminate it. If the cargo will ultimately enter U.S. commerce, the importer still needs the proper release filing, Entry Summary, bond, classification, origin, and duty payment.

Electronic In-Bond Filing vs. Paper 7512

CBP’s in-bond modernization moved most paper 7512 processes into electronic filing. CBP guidance says the paper 7512 has been eliminated for most movements, with limited exceptions such as certain pipeline movements, truck shipments transiting the United States from Canada, and audit or permit-copy situations for bonded warehouses and FTZs.

That does not mean the importer can ignore the document. Your carrier, forwarder, or broker still needs the data. If the in-bond record is wrong, the cargo can be delayed, penalties can be issued, or the movement can remain open in ACE even after the goods have physically moved.

Key Data on Form 7512

The official Form 7512 captures the facts CBP uses to monitor and close the in-bond movement. Important fields include:

• Entry number and class of entry. Identifies whether the movement is IT, T&E, IE, warehouse, drawback, or another permitted class.
• Ports and port codes. First U.S. port, port of destination, port of exit, or warehouse/FTZ destination as applicable.
• Importer, carrier, and consignee. Identifies the parties responsible for the movement and final disposition.
• Bill of lading and vessel/carrier information. Must reconcile with manifest data and transportation documents.
• Marks, numbers, package count, description, gross weight, and value. The merchandise description must be specific enough for CBP to identify the goods.
• Seals and delivery certification. CBP may require sealed conveyances or documented delivery/export closure.

Who Is Responsible for an In-Bond Movement?

The party filing or obligating the in-bond movement is responsible for moving and closing it correctly. In practice, that may be a carrier, bonded carrier, freight forwarder, warehouse operator, FTZ operator, or customs broker. The importer still has a business interest in making sure the movement closes because unresolved in-bond records can delay future entries and create compliance questions.

Every in-bond movement should have an owner: one party responsible for checking status, confirming arrival, resolving discrepancies, and documenting closure. When that responsibility is unclear, cargo sits, storage bills accrue, and no one discovers the open movement until CBP or the carrier escalates.

Common Form 7512 and In-Bond Errors

• Wrong destination port. Cargo arrives somewhere other than the port in the in-bond record.
• Unclosed movement. Goods physically arrive or export, but the electronic in-bond record is not closed in ACE.
• Vague merchandise description. “General merchandise” or “parts” does not give CBP enough information to identify risk.
• Manifest mismatch. Bill numbers, package counts, or weights do not reconcile with carrier data.
• Expired or late movement. The in-bond time limit passes before arrival or export is properly recorded.
• Broken or undocumented seals. Seal discrepancies can trigger exams or enforcement questions.

The safest process is to decide at booking whether the shipment will clear at the first port or move in bond. If it moves in bond, confirm the bonded carrier, destination port, responsible broker, final entry plan, and closure method before the vessel arrives.

This guide reflects CBP form procedures and public CBP guidance available as of May 2026. Requirements, ACE workflows, and agency practices can change. Importers should verify current instructions with CBP and coordinate filing strategy through their broker or trade counsel.