How to Get a Customs Bond for E-Commerce Imports

If you run a direct-to-consumer brand that imports inventory from overseas, you now need a customs bond. This was not always the case. Until the de minimis exemption was suspended, e-commerce shipments valued under $800 could enter the United States without formal entry, without paying duties, and without a customs bond. That exemption is gone.

The suspension of Section 321 de minimis treatment means that every commercial import shipment — regardless of value — now requires formal entry through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Formal entry requires a customs bond. For thousands of DTC brands that previously relied on de minimis to move inventory across the border cheaply and quickly, this is a fundamental change to their import operations.

This guide covers what a customs bond is, why e-commerce brands now need one, how to choose between single entry and continuous bonds, what bonds cost, and how to get one in place before your next shipment arrives.

Why E-Commerce Brands Now Need Customs Bonds

The de minimis exemption under Section 321 of the Tariff Act allowed shipments valued under $800 to enter the United States without formal customs entry. This provision was originally designed for personal imports — a tourist bringing back a souvenir, a family member sending a gift. But e-commerce businesses, particularly those sourcing from China, used it at massive scale to avoid duties, taxes, and the entire formal entry process.

At its peak, CBP processed over 4 million de minimis shipments per day. The vast majority were commercial inventory shipments for e-commerce sellers. Congress and CBP determined that this volume of uninspected, duty-free commercial goods posed unacceptable risks to trade enforcement, revenue collection, and supply chain security.

With de minimis suspended, every commercial import now follows the same process that larger importers have always followed. That process requires three things that most DTC brands have never dealt with before:

1. Formal entry filing. Every shipment must be declared to CBP with complete commercial documentation, including the commercial invoice, packing list, and HTS classification for each product.
2. Duty payment. All applicable duties, taxes, and fees must be paid. There is no longer a value threshold below which goods enter duty-free.
3. A customs bond. CBP requires a valid customs bond as a financial guarantee that all duties, taxes, and fees will be paid and all regulations will be followed.

If you are an e-commerce brand importing inventory — whether you ship 5 containers per year or 500 small parcels per month — you need a customs bond. There is no exception for e-commerce, no exception for small businesses, and no exception for low-value goods.

What a Customs Bond Actually Does

A customs bond is a three-party financial guarantee. The three parties are the importer (you), CBP (the government), and a surety company (the guarantor). The bond guarantees to CBP that you will pay all duties, taxes, and fees owed on your imports and comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

The bond is not insurance for your business. It protects the government, not you. If you fail to pay duties or violate import regulations, CBP files a claim against your bond. The surety company pays CBP and then comes after you for reimbursement. This is why sureties evaluate your financial standing before issuing a bond — they are taking on risk.

For e-commerce brands, the practical implication is straightforward: without a valid customs bond on file, CBP will not release your inventory. Your goods will sit at the port, accruing storage and demurrage charges, while your customers wait and your competitors sell. A bond is not optional. It is the cost of doing business as an importer.

Single Entry Bond vs. Continuous Bond for E-Commerce

There are two types of customs bonds, and the right choice depends entirely on your import frequency.

Single Entry Bond

A single entry bond covers one shipment at one port of entry. It is valid only for that specific import transaction and expires once CBP liquidates the entry, which typically takes 10 to 12 months. Each new shipment requires a new bond.

Single entry bonds cost $50 to $100 per shipment, depending on the value of the goods and the commodity type. They make sense only if you import once or twice per year — which, for most e-commerce businesses, is not the case.

Continuous Bond

A continuous bond covers all of your import shipments at all U.S. ports of entry for a full 12-month period. It renews automatically each year. You set it up once and it covers every shipment for the entire year, regardless of how many times you import or which port your goods enter through.

A continuous bond costs $400 to $500 per year. This is a flat annual premium. Whether you import 10 shipments or 200, the cost is the same.

Which One Should E-Commerce Brands Choose?

The math is simple. If you import three or more times per year, a continuous bond saves you money. And virtually every e-commerce brand importing inventory imports far more than three times per year.

Consider a DTC apparel brand that imports 12 shipments per year from Vietnam. With single entry bonds at $75 each, that is $900 per year in bond costs alone. A continuous bond at $450 per year cuts that cost in half. At 24 shipments per year, the continuous bond is four times cheaper. At 50 shipments, it is eight times cheaper.

Beyond cost, continuous bonds eliminate logistical friction. With a single entry bond, you must arrange a new bond before every shipment. If there is a delay in bond procurement, your shipment is held. With a continuous bond, you never think about it — every shipment is covered automatically for the full year.

The recommendation for most DTC brands: get a continuous bond. The only scenario where a single entry bond makes sense is if you are testing a one-time import before committing to regular inventory shipments. Once you know you will be importing regularly, switch to continuous immediately.

How Much Does a Customs Bond Cost for E-Commerce?

The cost of a customs bond depends on the bond type, the surety company, and your specific risk profile as an importer.

Continuous Bond Pricing

The standard annual premium for a continuous customs bond is $400 to $500. This applies to most e-commerce importers with a clean compliance record and annual duty payments under $50,000. The minimum bond amount is $50,000, which is sufficient for the majority of DTC brands.

If your annual duty liability exceeds $50,000, CBP may require a higher bond amount. The bond amount is typically set at 10% of your estimated annual duties, taxes, and fees, with the $50,000 minimum. A higher bond amount results in a higher premium. For example, if your annual duty liability is $200,000, your bond amount would be $50,000 (the minimum still applies unless CBP specifies otherwise), and your premium would remain in the standard range. But if CBP sets your bond at $100,000, your premium might increase to $600 to $800 per year.

Single Entry Bond Pricing

Single entry bonds cost $50 to $100 per shipment. The exact cost depends on the shipment value, the commodity type, and the estimated duties. Higher-risk commodities or higher-value shipments command higher premiums.

Additional Cost Considerations

The bond premium is only the cost of the bond itself. You will also incur customs brokerage fees for each entry filing. Many brokers charge $150 to $250 per entry, with additional surcharges for PGA filings, bond procurement, and other services. Greenwich Mercantile charges a flat $100 per filing with no surcharges, and bond procurement is included in our standard onboarding process.

For DTC brands transitioning from de minimis to formal entry, the total new cost includes the customs bond, brokerage fees per entry, and duties on your goods. This is a real increase in landed cost that should be factored into your product pricing and margin calculations.

Bond Amount Determination

The bond amount is not the same as the bond premium. The bond amount is the maximum liability that the surety guarantees to CBP. The premium is what you pay the surety for that guarantee.

For continuous bonds, the minimum bond amount is $50,000. CBP determines whether a higher amount is needed based on your estimated annual duties, taxes, and fees. The formula CBP uses is generally 10% of your total annual duty, tax, and fee liability, rounded up to the nearest $10,000, with the $50,000 floor.

For e-commerce brands just starting formal entry, estimating annual duty liability can be challenging because you may not have a history of paying duties. Your customs broker will work with you to estimate based on your product types, countries of origin, applicable duty rates, and projected import volume.

If your actual import activity significantly exceeds the bond amount, CBP can require a bond increase. This is called a bond insufficiency. When CBP determines your bond is insufficient, they issue a notice requiring you to obtain a higher bond within a specified timeframe. If you do not comply, CBP can refuse to release your shipments until the bond is increased.

What Happens If Your Bond Is Insufficient

Bond insufficiency is a real risk for fast-growing e-commerce brands. If your sales grow 200% year over year and your import volume scales accordingly, your $50,000 bond may no longer cover your actual duty liability. When CBP identifies this, the consequences are immediate and disruptive.

CBP issues a notice. You receive formal notification that your bond amount must be increased. The notice specifies the new required amount and the deadline for compliance.

Shipments can be delayed. While the notice does not automatically stop your imports, CBP has discretion to hold shipments if they determine the current bond does not adequately secure the government's interest. In practice, this means your next shipment could be delayed while you arrange a larger bond.

Premium increases. A higher bond amount means a higher annual premium. If your bond increases from $50,000 to $100,000, expect your premium to increase proportionally.

Surety review. Your surety company may re-evaluate your account when CBP requests an increase. If your financial profile has changed or you have compliance issues, the surety could decline to increase the bond or could require additional collateral.

The best way to avoid bond insufficiency is to work with a customs broker who proactively monitors your import activity and adjusts your bond before CBP intervenes. Greenwich Mercantile tracks client import volumes and initiates bond adjustments when your activity approaches your bond threshold.

How to Get a Customs Bond for Your E-Commerce Business

The fastest and most reliable way to get a customs bond is through a licensed customs broker. Here is the process, step by step.

Step 1: Establish Your Importer of Record Number

Before you can obtain a customs bond, you need to be registered with CBP as an importer of record. For most businesses, your IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN) serves as your importer number. If you do not have an EIN, you will need to obtain one from the IRS first. You will also need to file CBP Form 5106 to register your business entity with customs.

Step 2: Engage a Licensed Customs Broker

Your customs broker handles bond procurement as part of onboarding you as a client. The broker has established relationships with Treasury-listed surety companies and can arrange your bond efficiently. You do not need to shop for sureties yourself — your broker manages this process.

Step 3: Provide Required Information

The surety will need your business entity information and EIN, a description of the products you import, your countries of origin, your estimated annual import volume and duty liability, and your business financial information for underwriting. Your customs broker will guide you through exactly what is needed.

Step 4: Bond Issuance and Activation

Once the surety approves your application, the bond is filed with CBP using Form 301. The bond is recorded in CBP's Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) system. From that point forward, your customs broker references the bond on every entry filing. For a continuous bond, this happens once and then you are covered for 12 months.

The entire process typically takes 24 to 48 hours when working through a broker. In urgent situations, same-day bond issuance is sometimes possible.

Common Mistakes E-Commerce Brands Make with Customs Bonds

Having worked with DTC brands transitioning from de minimis to formal entry, we see the same mistakes repeatedly.

Waiting until the last minute. Many e-commerce brands do not realize they need a bond until their shipment is already en route or at the port. At that point, you are racing against storage charges. Get your bond in place before you ship, not after your goods arrive.

Choosing single entry bonds out of inertia. Some brands start with a single entry bond for their first shipment and then keep using single entry bonds because they never switch. If you are importing regularly, you are overpaying. Switch to continuous.

Underestimating annual duty liability. Brands that previously paid no duties often underestimate their actual duty exposure. If you import apparel from China, your effective duty rate with Section 301 tariffs can exceed 40%. On $500,000 in annual imports, that is $200,000 in duties. Your bond amount needs to reflect that reality.

Confusing the bond with insurance. The bond does not protect you. It protects the government. If CBP files a claim against your bond because you underpaid duties or violated regulations, you are still liable for the full amount plus the surety's costs.

Not having a customs broker. Some brands try to handle formal entry themselves. This is technically possible but practically inadvisable. A licensed customs broker ensures your entries are filed correctly, your HTS classifications are accurate, and your bond remains in good standing. The cost of a broker is far less than the cost of compliance errors.

The Full Picture: What E-Commerce Brands Need Beyond a Bond

A customs bond is one piece of the formal entry puzzle. When transitioning from de minimis, e-commerce brands also need to address several other requirements.

HTS classification. Every product in your catalog needs a Harmonized Tariff Schedule code. This 10-digit code determines your duty rate. Misclassification is the single most common cause of CBP penalties, accounting for 42% of all penalty actions. For DTC brands with hundreds or thousands of SKUs, building an accurate HTS catalog is essential.

Importer of record registration. You must be formally registered as the importer of record with CBP. This means filing CBP Form 5106, obtaining an importer number, and accepting legal responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of all customs declarations.

Country of origin compliance. Every product must be accurately marked with its country of origin. For e-commerce brands sourcing from multiple countries, or using components from one country assembled in another, country of origin determination can be complex.

Tariff planning. With tariff stacking in 2026, many DTC products face combined duty rates that significantly impact margins. Understanding your effective duty rate — base tariff plus any Section 301, Section 232, or other additional duties — is critical for pricing and profitability.

Greenwich Mercantile provides all of these services alongside bond procurement. When you onboard with us, we establish your importer of record status, procure your customs bond, classify your product catalog, and begin filing your entries — all at a flat $100 per filing with no surcharges. Read our first-time importer guide for the complete onboarding process.

For more on how the e-commerce import landscape has changed and what DTC brands specifically need, visit our industry page.

This guide reflects U.S. customs bond requirements for e-commerce imports as of April 2026. Bond requirements and regulations are subject to change. Importers should verify current requirements through CBP and consult with a licensed customs broker for situation-specific guidance.