Customs Brokerage

Customs clearance needs to be coordinated by AEB Logistics.

We can include the cost of customs brokerage into your quote, which pays for AEB to handle and submit your documentation. That usually costs around $125 (USD), depending on how many commodities you’re shipping.

Note: For Express shipments, customs is handled directly with the carrier (ex. DHL, UPS, etc.)

For Express shipments under $800, there are no customs fees. For shipments under $2,000, the carrier can broker customs on your behalf without need of a POA (Power of Attorney).

Customs bond

For most shipments you may also be required to purchase a customs bond (if you don’t already have one). This can either be a single-entry bond (SEB) or a continuous bond. The better, more cost-effective option for you will depend on how many times you expect to ship in the next 12 months.

The cost of an SEB is dependent on the value of your goods, typically 0.5% of their total worth, with a minimum charge of $50. For shipments arriving by ocean, a customer with a single-entry bond will also need to purchase an ISF (Import Security Filing) bond separately for a flat fee of approximately $75.

A continuous bond typically costs $500 and is valid for 12 months from the date of purchase, encompassing any and all shipments into the US registered to the company holding the bond. No further charges are required.

Therefore, if you are shipping more than five times a year, it may be cheaper long term to purchase a continuous bond, especially as it covers additional bond requirements.

Additionally, many users have reported that single entry bonds are more likely to be inspected at customs, which can incur more charges; less customs holds issues have been reported for continuous bonds.

I do not have a bond for US customs entry & ISF. Can I still move my goods into US?

Yes, you can! AEB will either buy an annual bond for you or offer AEB bond for you to use. Case-by-case cost for using AEB bond is 1/3 of an annual bond. Of course you may use your annual bond for unlimited cases during one year.

When will I know the cost of duties and taxes for my shipment?

The cost of duties and taxes for your shipment is confirmed at the time of customs clearance in the destination port.

Do I need a Power of Attorney?

If you requested customs clearance for your shipment from AEB Logistics, you will need to complete a POA.

Adding Insurance to your Quote

Should anything to your shipment while in transit – if it’s lost, stolen, damaged, or if anything happens to the carrier – you want to be covered.

You can include cargo insurance in your quote by ticking the insurance box.

Insurance is based on the value of your goods, so once you opt in, you’ll be prompted to enter the value of your shipment. Your quotes will then include that cost.

The standard cost is between 0.3-0.5% of the value of your goods, starting at a minimum of about $50.

Note:Insurance is only valid for certain goods – for example, it wouldn’t cover hazardous cargo.

Q: How can I determine whether merchandise that I am planning to import is subject to antidumping or countervailing duties?

You need to review the scope of antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) orders to determine whether the merchandise falls under the scope of an order. The scope of antidumping and countervailing duty orders can be found in several places:

• Federal Register notices from the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce), available at http://ia.ita.doc.gov/frn/index.html;
• Written instructions from Commerce to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), available in CBP’s Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) (for importers and customs brokers with ACE accounts), and on the internet at http://addcvd.cbp.gov;
• The website of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, trade.gov/ia.

You can also request a scope ruling from the International Trade Administration. Details on how to request a scope ruling are available at http://ia.ita.doc.gov/scope/Request- Scope-Ruling.html. You may also contact an Import Specialist at the port you intend to enter your merchandise, although that advice is not binding.