Last updated: October 3, 2026
To import goods into the United States on a formal entry, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires a customs bond. The bond guarantees that the importer will pay duties and follow the rules. If your company ships from Mexico into the U.S., or imports there, this is what you need to know.
Two types of customs bond
- Single transaction bond: covers one entry. Usually at least the value of the goods plus duties and fees; goods regulated by other agencies (for example FDA) can require up to three times the value. Best for occasional imports.
- Continuous bond: covers all entries for a year. The minimum is US$50,000, and it is generally set at 10% of the duties, taxes and fees paid in the previous 12 months. Best once you import several times a year.
What you need
- An importer of record number: your IRS EIN or, if the company does not have one, a CBP-assigned number requested on CBP Form 5106.
- The bond, written by a Treasury-approved surety company.
- A U.S. customs broker with your power of attorney to file the entry for you.
Continuous or single: how to decide
If your company imports several times a year, a continuous bond usually costs less and speeds up every entry. For a one-time import, a single transaction bond is enough. As your volume grows, review the continuous bond amount: CBP can ask for an increase if it falls below 10% of what you paid.
Not the same as the carrier’s bond
In-bond movements inside the United States travel under the carrier’s or bonded operator’s bond, not the importer’s. See in-bond shipments explained.
Your U.S. entry and your Mexican pedimento
As a U.S. customs broker in Laredo, Texas and a Mexican customs broker in Nuevo Laredo, we file the U.S. entry and the Mexican pedimento on the same shipment. We tell you which bond fits your volume. For companies crossing often, see our Corporate Program.
Related guides: importing from Mexico into the U.S. · Mexico tariff classification · Carta Porte
Importing into the United States?
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