4 Things to Remember While Purchasing a Customs Surety Bond
There are so many documents and papers exchanged between
customs, carriers, and shippers when they are processed for importing commodities
in the US for commercial purposes. These
documents are certainly overwhelming for someone who is new to the importing. It
seems out of capability and brings stress while you actually attempt to
understand the process. With plenty of freight forwarding companies and
customs brokers available both offline and online, shippers are evidently believed in hiring them but most of them sign bad deals which cost heavily at a crucial time.
A customs surety bond
ensures both importers and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that
all import taxes, fees, and duties will be paid timely. It is kind of a legal agreement
that ensures all required duties, taxes, and fees levied on the commercial
goods being imported will be paid to the federal government. Customs bond is required by the CBP
when goods valued at over $2,500 are imported and for goods that are subjected
to regulations of other federal agencies such as FDA.
A customs bond is not
coverage
Customs surety bond
are not like insurance policies that you might already aware of e.g. bike and
home insurance. It is technically an insurance content that is provided by
licensed brokers, surety or insurance companies but it has different functions.
It is an agreement between three parties – the bond owner (importer or principal),
CBP, and the surety company. The agreement is conducted to guarantee financial
obligations that needed to be fulfilled by the principal and does not cover any
other liabilities.
It is mandatory
You need either Single Entry Bond or a Continuous Customs Bond for the customs
clearance. Unless you don’t have any one of them, you can’t clear the goods. It
is a mandatory document that is checked by the customs authorities at the port of
entry.
Purchase it directly
from a surety company or broker
Although you can purchase your bond through a licensed customs
broker or freight forwarder, some surety agencies provide Customs surety bond directly to importers.
This method is considered cost-effective.
Renewal
Continuous customs bond does not terminate
automatically after its expiry date instead it gets renewed. The broker or
surety company issues a notice to the principal for renewal payment of the bond
a few days earlier than the final date of bond suspension.
Comments
Post a Comment