ISF Filing Deadlines: What Every Importer Must Know
If you import by ocean freight into the United States, the Importer Security Filing (ISF) — often called '10+2' — is one of the most important and most frequently missed compliance requirements. CBP can assess a penalty of up to $5,000 per violation for late, inaccurate, or missing filings. Here's exactly what it is, when it's due, and how to make sure you never miss it.
What Is the ISF (10+2)?
The Importer Security Filing requires importers (or their licensed customs broker) to submit specific shipment data to CBP before cargo is loaded onto a vessel bound for the US. It's called '10+2' because importers submit 10 data elements and carriers submit 2 additional elements.
The 10 importer elements include the seller, buyer, importer of record number, consignee number, manufacturer, ship-to party, country of origin, HTS number, container stuffing location, and consolidator. This data allows CBP to assess security risk before the vessel even reaches US waters.
When Is ISF Due?
The ISF must be filed no later than 24 hours before cargo is laden aboard the vessel at the foreign port. This is not 24 hours before arrival in the US — it's 24 hours before the ship leaves the origin port. This catches many first-time importers off guard.
For shipments transiting through Canada or Mexico via rail or truck before entering the US by water, different timing rules may apply. Your broker should confirm the exact cutoff for your specific routing.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?
CBP can issue liquidated damages of $5,000 per violation for late filing, and an additional $5,000 for inaccurate or incomplete filing — meaning a single shipment could face $10,000 in penalties if mishandled.
Beyond financial penalties, CBP can also issue 'Do Not Load' orders, preventing your cargo from being loaded at all, or hold the shipment for inspection upon arrival — both of which create costly delays.
How Aurora Handles ISF for You
Every ocean shipment we manage includes ISF filing as a standard part of our service — there's no separate line item or extra step for you. We collect the required data during your initial intake and file directly with CBP through our ABI connection.
We also monitor vessel departure schedules in real time, so if a sailing date changes, we re-confirm your ISF is still accurate and compliant before the cutoff.
The ISF is a small piece of paperwork with an outsized penalty risk. The good news: once you have a broker handling it correctly and consistently, it becomes a non-issue. If you're currently filing ISF yourself or unsure whether it's being filed correctly, talk to one of our licensed brokers today.