Customs Bond Services
Every import over $2,500 requires a customs bond. We make getting one simple.
Book a Free ConsultationEvery import over $2,500 requires a customs bond. We make getting one simple.
Book a Free ConsultationA customs bond is a financial guarantee between three parties: you (the importer), a surety company (the bond issuer), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The bond guarantees that all duties, taxes, and fees owed on your imported goods will be paid, and that you will comply with all applicable customs laws and regulations.
Federal law requires a customs bond for any commercial shipment valued over $2,500. Without one, CBP will not release your cargo. The bond protects the government against the risk that an importer fails to pay duties or violates import regulations.
There are two types of customs bonds: single entry bonds (covering one shipment) and continuous bonds (covering all shipments for a 12-month period). The right choice depends on how often you import. For a comprehensive overview, read our complete guide to customs bonds.
We work with established surety companies to procure the right customs bond for your import volume. Whether you need a single entry bond for a one-time shipment or a continuous bond for ongoing imports, we handle the application, underwriting coordination, and issuance. Most bonds are issued same day.
CBP requires that your bond amount adequately covers your duty obligations. If your import volume grows or duty rates increase, your bond may become insufficient. We monitor your bond sufficiency continuously and alert you when an increase is needed — before CBP sends you a notice.
Continuous bonds expire annually. A lapsed bond means CBP will not accept new entries until the bond is renewed or replaced. We track your bond expiration date, coordinate renewal with the surety company, and ensure there is no gap in coverage that could delay your shipments.
Certain imports require bond riders — endorsements that extend your bond's coverage to meet specific regulatory requirements. FDA-regulated products, for example, may require an FDA bond rider to cover the potential cost of re-export or destruction of refused goods. We identify when riders are needed and coordinate with the surety to add them.
| Single Entry Bond | Continuous Bond | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | One shipment only | All shipments for 12 months |
| Typical Cost | ~$50 or percentage of shipment value + duties | ~$400/year for minimum $50,000 bond |
| Best For | Importers shipping 1–2 times per year | Importers shipping 3+ times per year |
| Issuance Speed | Same day, often within hours | Same day in most cases |
| Renewal | Not applicable — expires after one entry | Annual renewal required |
| Pros | Lower upfront cost for infrequent importers. No annual commitment. | Lower per-shipment cost for regular importers. No delays waiting for bond issuance on each entry. Simplifies compliance. |
| Cons | Cost adds up quickly with multiple shipments. Must be procured before each entry. Can delay clearance if not arranged in advance. | Higher upfront annual premium. Bond amount must be sufficient for full year of imports. |
Our recommendation: If you import 3 or more times per year, a continuous bond is almost always more cost-effective and eliminates the risk of clearance delays caused by bond procurement. The annual premium for a minimum continuous bond is roughly equivalent to the cost of 8 single entry bonds — and it covers unlimited entries for the year.
Tell us about your import business — what you're shipping, how often, and the approximate value and duty exposure. This takes 30 minutes or less.
Based on your import volume, product types, and duty obligations, we recommend the right bond type and amount. We also identify if you need any bond riders for PGA-regulated products.
We coordinate with the surety company and handle the paperwork. In most cases, your bond is active and filed with CBP the same business day. You're ready to import.
The bond amount is not the premium you pay — it's the total liability the surety agrees to cover. For continuous bonds, CBP generally requires the bond amount to be at least 10% of the total duties, taxes, and fees you paid in the previous 12 months, with a minimum of $50,000.
For example, if you paid $300,000 in duties last year, CBP would require a bond amount of at least $50,000 (since 10% of $300,000 is $30,000, which is below the $50,000 minimum). If you paid $800,000 in duties, you'd need at least an $80,000 bond. The annual premium you pay to the surety is a percentage of the bond amount — typically between 0.5% and 2%, depending on your credit and import history.
Bond sufficiency is an ongoing concern, not a one-time calculation. If your import volume increases, your duty payments rise, or new tariffs take effect on your products, your bond may become insufficient. When CBP determines that your bond is insufficient, they issue a bond sufficiency notice giving you 30 days to increase your bond amount. Failure to comply means CBP will stop accepting entries filed against your bond — effectively shutting down your imports until the issue is resolved.
Greenwich Mercantile monitors your bond sufficiency on an ongoing basis. We track your cumulative duty payments against your bond amount and proactively recommend increases when you're approaching the sufficiency threshold. You'll never be caught off guard by a CBP notice.
Customs bond costs depend on the type and amount. Single entry bonds typically cost around $50 or a percentage of the shipment value plus duties, whichever is greater. Continuous bonds start at approximately $400 per year for the minimum $50,000 bond amount. The premium is based on the bond amount, which is determined by your annual duty payments. Higher import volumes or duty-intensive products may require a larger bond with a higher annual premium. Greenwich Mercantile helps you determine the right bond type and amount for your import volume.
In most cases, Greenwich Mercantile can have your customs bond issued the same business day. Single entry bonds can often be issued within hours. Continuous bonds typically require a brief application process with the surety company, but same-day issuance is common for straightforward applications. If you have an urgent shipment arriving, let us know — we prioritize bond issuance to prevent clearance delays.
An insufficient customs bond — one where the bond amount is too low relative to your duty payments — can prevent CBP from releasing your cargo. CBP reviews bond sufficiency periodically, and if your duties, taxes, and fees exceed the capacity of your bond, CBP will issue a bond sufficiency notice requiring you to increase your bond within 30 days. If you don't increase it, CBP can refuse to accept new entries filed against that bond. Greenwich Mercantile monitors your bond sufficiency continuously and proactively recommends increases before CBP intervenes.
Not a separate bond, but FDA-regulated imports may require a bond rider — an endorsement added to your existing customs bond that extends coverage to FDA requirements. The FDA bond rider ensures that you can meet FDA obligations, including the potential cost of re-export or destruction of refused goods. Greenwich Mercantile handles bond rider additions as part of our bond management service. We identify when riders are needed and coordinate with the surety to add them to your bond.
Book a free 30-minute consultation. We'll assess your bond needs, recommend the right type and amount, and have your bond issued the same day in most cases.
Book a Free Consultation