What is ISF?
The Importer Security Filing (ISF), commonly known as "10+2," is a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requirement for all ocean cargo entering the United States. Introduced in 2009 as a post-9/11 security measure, it requires importers to electronically submit specific shipment data before cargo is loaded onto a vessel bound for the US.
The "10+2" name comes from the filing structure: 10 data elements are submitted by the importer (or their agent), and 2 elements are submitted by the ocean carrier.
The 10 importer data elements
The importer or their customs broker must provide the seller name and address, buyer name and address, importer of record number, consignee number, manufacturer or supplier name and address, ship-to party, country of origin, HTS classification (6-digit), container stuffing location, and consolidator name and address.
The 2 carrier data elements
The ocean carrier provides the vessel stow plan and container status messages. These are handled automatically by the shipping line.
When is ISF due?
ISF must be filed no later than 24 hours before the cargo is loaded onto the vessel at the foreign port of departure. Not 24 hours before arrival in the US — before loading at origin. For shipments from Asia, this typically means filing 30-35 days before the cargo reaches a US port.
Penalties for non-compliance
CBP takes ISF violations seriously. The penalties include $5,000 per violation for late, inaccurate, or missing ISF filings. Multiple violations can result in increased scrutiny on future shipments, potential holds and examinations on all your cargo, and in extreme cases, liquidated damages claims of $10,000 or more per violation. These penalties apply per shipment, per violation — meaning a single container with multiple errors could incur multiple $5,000 fines.
Common ISF mistakes
The most frequent ISF errors we see include filing after the 24-hour deadline, using incorrect HTS codes that don't match the entry filing, wrong manufacturer or supplier information, missing or inaccurate container stuffing location, and failing to update the ISF when shipment details change.
ISF amendments
If shipment details change after the initial filing (like a vessel change or HTS reclassification), the ISF must be amended. CBP allows amendments up until 24 hours before vessel arrival in the US. After that, changes may trigger penalties or holds.
How ASR handles ISF
We file ISF as soon as booking is confirmed — typically 5-7 days before vessel loading, well within the deadline. Our compliance team cross-references ISF data against the commercial invoice and packing list to prevent discrepancies that trigger CBP scrutiny.
