IMPORT BOND APPLICATION

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Customs Bond (Activity Code 1 - Importer or Broker)

SECTION 1: TYPE OF BOND REQUESTED

A. Bond Type

☐ Continuous Bond (Annual Bond)
Valid for one year from effective date; covers all entries during the bond period.

☐ Single Transaction Bond (STB)
Covers a single import entry or transaction.

B. Activity Code

Select the applicable activity:

☐ Activity Code 1 - Importer or Broker
☐ Activity Code 1A - Drawback Payment Refund
☐ Activity Code 2 - Custodian of Bonded Merchandise
☐ Activity Code 3 - International Carrier
☐ Activity Code 3A - Instrument of International Traffic
☐ Activity Code 4 - Foreign Trade Zone Operator
☐ Activity Code 5 - Warehouse Proprietor
☐ Activity Code 6 - Container Station Operator
☐ Activity Code 7 - LASH/Lighter/Barge Operator
☐ Activity Code 8 - Cartman/Lighterman
☐ Activity Code 9 - Centralized Examination Station

SECTION 2: PRINCIPAL (APPLICANT) INFORMATION

A. Principal Details

Full Legal Name:
[________________________________]

Doing Business As (DBA):
[________________________________]

Type of Entity:
☐ Individual/Sole Proprietor
☐ Corporation
☐ Partnership
☐ Limited Liability Company
☐ Other: [____________________]

Tax Identification Number (EIN/SSN):
[________________________________]

State/Country of Incorporation: [____________________]

B. Importer of Record Information

Importer of Record Number:
☐ EIN: [____________________]
☐ SSN: [____________________]
☐ CBP Assigned Number: [____________________]

DUNS Number (if applicable): [____________________]

C. Contact Information

Principal Business Address:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

City: [____________________] State: [____] ZIP: [__________]

Mailing Address (if different):
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Telephone: [____________________]

Email: [________________________________]

Contact Person:
Name: [________________________________]
Title: [________________________________]
Phone: [____________________]
Email: [________________________________]

SECTION 3: BOND AMOUNT CALCULATION

A. For Continuous Bonds (Activity Code 1)

Minimum Bond Amount: $50,000

Bond Amount Calculation:

The continuous bond amount should equal 10% of duties, taxes, and fees paid or estimated to be paid during the calendar year, with a minimum of $50,000.

Calculate Bond Amount:

Requested Bond Amount: $[____________________]

(Must be at least $50,000 or 10% of annual duties/taxes/fees, whichever is greater)

B. For Single Transaction Bonds

Bond Amount Required:

For single entry bonds, the bond amount typically equals the total entered value plus estimated duties, taxes, and fees.

C. Enhanced Bond Requirements

Is merchandise subject to antidumping/countervailing duties?
☐ Yes ☐ No

If Yes, enhanced bond requirements may apply.

Is merchandise from a country subject to Section 301 tariffs?
☐ Yes ☐ No

Has CBP issued a bond insufficiency notice?
☐ Yes ☐ No

If Yes, date of notice: [__/__/____]
Required bond increase: $[____________________]

SECTION 4: IMPORT INFORMATION

A. Merchandise Description

General Character of Merchandise to be Imported:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Principal HTSUS Chapters/Headings:
[________________________________]

Primary Countries of Origin:
[________________________________]

B. Import Volume History

Import Activity (Prior 12 Months):

C. Projected Import Activity

Anticipated Changes in Import Volume:

☐ Increase - Estimated: [____]%
☐ Decrease - Estimated: [____]%
☐ No significant change expected

Explanation:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

SECTION 5: SURETY INFORMATION

A. Surety Company

Surety Company Name:
[________________________________]

Treasury Circular 570 Number: [____________________]

Surety Company Address:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Surety Contact:
Name: [________________________________]
Phone: [____________________]
Email: [________________________________]

B. Power of Attorney

Name of Attorney-in-Fact:
[________________________________]

Power of Attorney Number: [____________________]

☐ Power of Attorney attached

SECTION 6: CUSTOMS BROKER INFORMATION (IF APPLICABLE)

Using a Customs Broker?
☐ Yes ☐ No

If Yes:

Broker Name: [________________________________]

Broker License Number: [____________________]

Broker Address:
[________________________________]

Broker Contact:
Name: [________________________________]
Phone: [____________________]
Email: [________________________________]

☐ Power of Attorney for broker on file with CBP

SECTION 7: COMPLIANCE HISTORY

A. Bond History

Have you had a customs bond before?
☐ Yes ☐ No

If Yes:

Reason for new bond (if replacing existing):
☐ Increase in import volume
☐ Change of surety
☐ Prior bond expired
☐ Other: [____________________]

B. Compliance History

Have you been subject to any of the following?

☐ CBP penalties or claims in past 5 years
Amount: $[____________________]
Status: ☐ Paid ☐ Pending ☐ Appealed

☐ Bond default or forfeiture
Date: [__/__/____]
Details: [________________________________]

☐ Bond sufficiency review/increase
Date: [__/__/____]
Outcome: [________________________________]

☐ Focused assessment or audit
Date: [__/__/____]
Outcome: [________________________________]

☐ Prior disclosure filed
Date: [__/__/____]
Subject: [________________________________]

☐ Antidumping/Countervailing duty issues
Details: [________________________________]

SECTION 8: PRINCIPAL CERTIFICATION

I, the undersigned, hereby certify that:

☐ I am authorized to execute this bond application on behalf of the principal.

☐ All information provided in this application is true, accurate, and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

☐ I understand that the bond obligates the principal and surety to pay duties, taxes, and fees as required by law.

☐ I understand that the principal is responsible for compliance with all customs laws and regulations.

☐ I authorize CBP to verify the information provided in this application.

☐ I understand that providing false information may result in penalties and denial of bond privileges.

☐ I agree to notify the surety and CBP of any material changes affecting bond adequacy.

Signature: ________________________________

Printed Name: [________________________________]

Title: [________________________________]

Date: [__/__/____]

SECTION 9: BOND FORM COMPLETION

CBP Form 301 - Customs Bond

Bond Number (assigned by surety): [____________________]

Effective Date: [__/__/____]

Bond Amount: $[____________________]

Port Code(s) (for single transaction bond): [____________________]

SECTION 10: BOND CONDITIONS ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Basic Importation and Entry Bond Conditions (19 CFR 113.62)

I acknowledge that this bond obligates the principal to:

☐ File timely entry and pay all applicable duties, taxes, and fees

☐ Produce documents or evidence upon CBP request

☐ Comply with all customs laws and regulations

☐ Redeliver merchandise upon lawful demand

☐ Rectify any errors or misstatements in entry documentation

☐ Hold harmless CBP in connection with the importation

☐ Pay all liquidated damages for breach of bond conditions

☐ Comply with country of origin marking requirements

☐ Pay antidumping/countervailing duties as assessed

☐ Comply with intellectual property requirements

Signature acknowledging conditions: ________________________________

Date: [__/__/____]

SECTION 11: FILING INSTRUCTIONS

A. Submission Methods

1. Electronic Filing (eBond):
Through CBP's Automated Commercial Environment (ACE)
- Surety files bond electronically
- Immediate activation upon approval

2. Paper Filing:
Submit CBP Form 301 to:

For Continuous Bonds:
Director, Revenue Division
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
6650 Telecom Drive, Suite 100
Indianapolis, IN 46278

For Single Transaction Bonds:
File at the port of entry with the entry documentation

B. Required Documents

☐ Completed CBP Form 301 (Customs Bond)
☐ Power of Attorney (if applicable)
☐ Bond rider(s) (if applicable)
☐ Supporting documentation for bond amount calculation
☐ Surety company authorization

C. Bond Activation

Electronic Bonds: Active immediately upon CBP acceptance

Paper Bonds: Allow 2-4 weeks for processing

SECTION 12: BOND MAINTENANCE

A. Annual Review Requirements

☐ Review import volume annually
☐ Assess adequacy of bond amount
☐ Update bond if necessary (rider or new bond)
☐ Renew continuous bond before expiration

B. Bond Insufficiency

If CBP determines bond is insufficient:

1. CBP will issue written notification
2. Principal has 15 days to remedy deficiency
3. Options: increase bond amount, provide additional security
4. Failure to remedy may result in requirement for single transaction bonds

C. Termination

To terminate a bond:

☐ Submit written request to surety
☐ Surety files termination with CBP
☐ Bond remains liable for transactions during active period

SOURCES AND REFERENCES

• 19 CFR Part 113: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-19/chapter-I/part-113
• CBP Bond Information: https://www.cbp.gov/trade/priority-issues/revenue/bonds
• Treasury Circular 570 (Approved Sureties): https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/surety-bonds/list-certified-companies.html
• eBond Information: https://www.cbp.gov/trade/automated/getting-started/ace-certified-cargo-release-process/ebonds
• CBP Form 301: Available from CBP or surety companies

BOND AMOUNT GUIDELINES

Note: CBP may require higher bond amounts based on compliance history, merchandise type, or other risk factors.

LEGAL NOTICES

Bond Liability: The principal and surety are jointly and severally liable for all obligations under the bond, including duties, taxes, fees, and liquidated damages.

Limitation Period: Generally, bond liability extends for 6 years from the date of importation.

Bond Review: CBP periodically reviews bond sufficiency and may require increased security.

This template is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Bond requirements vary based on specific circumstances. Consult with a licensed customs broker or surety company for assistance with your specific bond needs.