What is Importer Security Filing?
The Importer Security Filing (ISF), commonly called "10+2", is a US Customs and Border Protection requirement for advance cargo data on ocean shipments bound for the United States, set out in 19 CFR Part 149. The ISF importer, defined as the party causing goods to arrive within the limits of a US port by vessel, must transmit ten data elements: seller, buyer, importer of record number, consignee number, manufacturer or supplier, ship-to party, country of origin, HTSUS number to at least six digits, container stuffing location and consolidator. The "+2" are carrier obligations: a vessel stow plan and container status messages. Cargo remaining on board and in-bond shipments for export (FROB, IE and T&E) use a reduced five-element filing, often called ISF-5. Bulk cargo that is exempt from advance cargo declaration is also exempt from ISF, while break bulk cargo has a later deadline of 24 hours before arrival.
Why it matters for forwarders
Most elements must reach CBP no later than 24 hours before the cargo is laden aboard the vessel at the foreign port, the same trigger as the carrier's 24-hour manifest rule. Container stuffing location and consolidator may follow later, but no later than 24 hours before arrival in a US port, which matters for LCL and buyer's consolidation programs where stuffing happens close to sailing. The ISF must be linked to the correct bill of lading, which for consolidated cargo means the house bill; filings matched to the wrong bill are a common cause of no-match status and holds. ISF bond conditions provide for liquidated damages of $5,000 per violation, and CBP can also delay release or order cargo held. Forwarders handling FOB or EXW origin bookings for US importers should collect ISF data with the booking, because supplier details and HTS codes are hard to obtain once the cargo is already with the carrier.