Cost structure / standard tiers
Importers choose between a single-entry bond (covering one shipment) and a continuous bond (covering all entries over a 12-month period), with cost scaling differently for each.
| Bond Type | Coverage | Typical Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Single-entry bond | One shipment, bond amount = entry value + duties/taxes | $50-150 per shipment (minimum premium) |
| Continuous bond (minimum) | All entries, 12 months, $50,000 minimum bond amount | $300-500/year |
| Continuous bond (higher tier) | 10% of prior 12-month duties/taxes/fees, above the $50,000 floor | Scales above $500/year for higher-volume importers |
| Bond insufficiency penalty/replacement | Bond amount too low for actual liability | Re-filing fees + potential entry holds until corrected |
CBP recalculates continuous bond sufficiency periodically based on actual duty payments, and importers whose duty liability grows (e.g., due to Section 301 tariffs) may need to increase their bond amount.
Risk mitigation / operational guidance
For importers making more than 3-5 entries per year, a continuous bond is almost always cheaper than stacking single-entry bond fees, and it also covers ISF bond requirements under one instrument. Review bond sufficiency annually, especially if the product mix shifts toward higher-duty categories such as goods subject to Section 301 tariffs, since an insufficient bond can trigger entry holds even for established importers. Work with a customs broker or surety provider that monitors bond sufficiency automatically rather than waiting for a CBP insufficiency notice, which arrives with a short cure window. Keep the bond's listed importer of record name and EIN current — mismatches between bond records and entry filings are a common cause of rejected ACE submissions. Note that switching surety providers requires advance notice and a transition period to avoid coverage gaps.