Customs Bonds

As the trade adjusts to the new features of CBP’s Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), Roanoke Trade continues to work closely with CBP and the trade to offer guidance on processing bonds in an electronic environment (eBond). As of January 3, 2015, all continuous bonds and Importer Security Filing (ISF) single transaction bonds must be filed as eBonds via the surety or surety agent. Non-ISF STBs are still issued as paper bonds to the local port unless your ABI software developer has confirmed the entry data is processed as an ACE cargo release. Refer to Roanoke Trade’s flyer, What’s Required? eBond […]

As of 2/5/2015, CBP reported 1,188 activity code 1 electronic Single Transaction Bonds (“eSTBs”) accepted in ACE. Of those bonds, there have been seven bond/entry matches in the system and 360 bonds have been voided. That leaves 821 eSTBs that possibly should have been paper. There are only two entry methods for which eSTBs are allowed, 1) ACE Cargo Release followed by ACE Entry Summary or 2) ACE Entry Summary Certified for ACE Cargo Release. A good rule to follow is that an eSTB is required for any entry fully processed in ACE. Any entry that is filed in ACS, even if the […]

eBond deployed successfully on January 4, 2015. While the system is working efficiently, there are a few loose ends and issues that have arisen. For the next several weeks, the eBond Working Group[1] meets to discuss the issues and address solutions. We will keep you updated on any new developments. How do I know which STB filing method to choose? We created the following flyer in December which explains the various scenarios for filing of STBs. This same information was provided in CSMS Message 15-000018. Bottom line, only ACE cargo release transactions require an eSTB. If there is an ACS cargo […]

CBP has confirmed that emailing of bond images will not be necessary for any ISF single transaction bond (“Appendix D Bond”) filed as an eBond. That means that for any ISF STB that you create in FastBond™, the process has just become easier for you. Because the ISF number must still be included on an ISF STB, there remain two steps to create the bond. As before, you first enter the basic bond information in FastBond™ to obtain a surety reference number to transmit to CBP with the ISF. You then go back into FastBond™ to insert the ISF number […]

On Sunday, Roanoke was one of the first sureties to submit an eBond through FastBond™! We now welcome you to use FastBond™ to process your first-ever eBond! Key points for getting started: Read the latest CBP Policies and Procedures for eBond. These are the procedures of record until further notice by CBP. Continue to use FastBond™ to issue your bonds and contact Roanoke to process riders and terminations. NEW: Look for the “My Issuing Authority” link on the left bar of the FastBond™ Issue Bond screen; notice that expanded authority on STBs for foreign principals has been provided. We will also be conducting an eBond webinar tomorrow at 1:00 PM CST. […]

Per the December 11 CSMS message, effective January 10, 2015 CBP will no longer accept ISF Submission Types 5 (Late ISF-10 – No Bond) and 6 (Late ISF-5 – No Bond). It is no secret that CBP had always intended these provisions for acceptance of late ISFs without bonds to be temporary and available to importers on a one-time-only basis. Some may be inclined to wonder if this announcement could also signal CBP intentions to step up ISF Liquidated Damage enforcement in general. In this regard, also note previous statements by CBP that the current “three strikes limited LD enforcement […]