To begin the ISF Filing process, the following are required:
1. A completed Power of Attorney to act on your behalf in customs matters. And one of the following:
- If company, A copy of the EIN Assignment letter from the Internal Revenue Service verifying your company's name address and tax ID (most companies receive this letter from the IRS at the time of issuance of their tax id#)
- If individual, a clear copy of your social security card, drivers license or passport (Passport issuing country and date of birth also required)
Not sure what an Employer Identification Number (EIN) is?
Per US law, every organization must have an employer identification number (EIN), even if it will not have employees. The EIN is a unique number that identifies the organization to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
2. Completed New Client Set up Application
3. Completed Paper or Online ISF 10+2 worksheet
Confidentiality
Licensed Customs Brokers are bound by law to keep your information confidential.
Importer verification
Customs brokers are also charged by US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) to perform due diligence in verifying the identity of an importer.
US Customs penalties for late or non filing of the ISF 10+2 are up to $10,000. The Importer Security Filing (ISF 10+2) is a mandatory filing for ocean containerized cargo destined for the United States. US Customs holds the IMPORTER ultimately liable for this filing. Please make sure you have policies in place to arrange processing of your ISF filing at least 24 hours prior to vessel loading.
