US Customs Bond Guide 2026: Cost, Types & How to Buy

Many importers think a customs bond is insurance for their cargo.

It’s not.

A U.S. customs bond is a financial guarantee to the U.S. government (CBP) that all duties, taxes, and compliance obligations will be paid. Without one, your shipment cannot legally clear U.S. customs.

In this guide, we explain what is a customs bond, compare continuous bond vs single entry, break down the customs bond cost, explain the ISF bond connection, and show you how to get one using CBP Form 5106.

If you want to avoid delays, penalties, and paperwork headaches, working with an experienced logistics partner like Forest Leopard can make the entire process smoother.

1. What Is a U.S. Customs Bond? (And What It Is NOT)

A customs bond is a contract between:

• The importer
• A surety company
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

It guarantees that:

• Import duties will be paid
• Taxes will be paid
• Regulations will be followed

Common Misconception

❌ A customs bond is NOT cargo insurance.

❌ It does NOT protecU.S. governmentt your goods from damage or loss.

It only protects the , not the importer.

If duties or penalties are unpaid, CBP can claim the bond amount from the surety.

2. Single Entry Bond (SEB): How It Works

A Single Entry Bond (SEB) covers one shipment only.

Bond Amount Rule

The bond value must be at least:

Total cargo value + estimated duties + taxes

So if your shipment is worth $30,000 and duties are $5,000, your bond must be $35,000 or more.

Key Disadvantages of SEB

• Must be purchased every time you ship
• Processing is slow
• Extra paperwork per shipment
• Becomes expensive for repeat importers

SEB is mainly used by:

• First-time importers
• One-time shipments
• Low-frequency importers

3. Continuous Bond: The Better Long-Term Option

A Continuous Bond covers all shipments for 12 months.

Standard Coverage & Cost

• Typical bond amount: $50,000
• Annual cost: $400–$500
• Covers all U.S. ports
• Valid 24/7 for every shipment

Why Importers Prefer Continuous Bonds

• No need to buy a bond per shipment
• Faster customs clearance
• Lower cost for multiple shipments
• Fewer delays
• Simplified compliance

For businesses importing regularly, a Continuous Bond is the most efficient option.

Forest Leopard helps clients apply for Continuous Bonds and manage all related customs paperwork:

4. Continuous Bond vs Single Entry: Cost Comparison

The Hidden Cost of SEB

Many importers don’t realize that SEB does NOT include an ISF bond.

Which leads to an important detail…

5. The ISF Bond Connection (Critical Detail)

The ISF (Importer Security Filing) is required for ocean shipments to the U.S.

If You Use a Continuous Bond

• ISF bond is already included
• No extra cost
• No extra paperwork

If You Use a Single Entry Bond

• You must buy a separate ISF bond
• Extra cost per shipment
• More paperwork
• Slower processing

Why SEB Becomes More Expensive

If you ship 2 or more times per year, the cost of:

• Multiple SEBs
• Multiple ISF bonds

Often exceeds the price of one Continuous Bond.

So for repeat importers, SEB is usually the more expensive option.

6. How to Get a U.S. Customs Bond (CBP Form 5106)

To apply for a customs bond, CBP requires:

CBP Form 5106

This form registers your business with U.S. Customs and includes:

• Importer of Record (IOR) details
• Tax ID / EIN
• Business address
• Contact information

Without this form, CBP will not issue a bond.

Good News: You Don’t Have to Do It Alone

Forest Leopard handles:

• CBP Form 5106
• Bond applications
• ISF filing
• Customs clearance coordination

So you can focus on your business, not paperwork.

7. Which Bond Should You Choose?

Choose Single Entry Bond if:

• You ship only once
• You are testing the U.S. market
• You don’t plan to import regularly

Choose Continuous Bond if:

• You ship more than once per year
• You want faster clearance
• You want lower long-term costs
• You want ISF included automatically

For most importers, the Continuous Bond is the smarter choice.

Summary: The Smart Way to Handle U.S. Customs Bonds

Let’s recap:

• A customs bond is not cargo insurance
• It guarantees payment to U.S. Customs (CBP)
• SEB covers one shipment and is slower
• Continuous Bonds cover all shipments for a year
• Continuous Bonds include the ISF bond
• SEB requires a separate ISF bond
• CBP Form 5106 is required to apply

If you want faster clearance, fewer mistakes, and lower long-term costs, working with a professional logistics partner like Forest Leopard is the easiest solution.

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