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U.S. Customs Services

ISF Filing for U.S. Ocean Imports

Arrange your Importer Security Filing with our U.S. brokerage team. Share your shipment status and available documents so we can confirm the requirements, timing and information needed before filing.

Request ISF Filing Need customs clearance too?
01 · YOU SHAREDocuments
  • Invoice & parties
  • Goods & origin
  • Booking & loading
02 · U.S. TEAMFiling
  • Review & scope
  • Authorization
  • Submission
03 · YOU RECEIVEStatus
  • Filing status
  • Updates if details change
TIMING · MOST STANDARD OCEAN IMPORTS
U.S. BROKERAGEU.S. customs brokerage is provided by Always Forward Co., Ltd..

Does it apply?

Confirm what your
shipment needs

Ocean shipments

ISF applies to qualifying vessel shipments arriving in the United States. We review the shipment type and routing to confirm the applicable requirements. Air shipments do not use ocean ISF.

ISF and customs entry

ISF and customs entry serve different requirements. An ISF does not replace the entry or authorize cargo release. We confirm how both requirements will be handled for your shipment.

Contact us before loading

For most standard ocean imports, key ISF information is due at least 24 hours before loading at the foreign port. Some data elements and shipment types follow different timing rules. Our document submission cutoff may be earlier so there is time to review missing information.

Workers checking wrapped furniture beside export crates, with port cranes behind them
Checked and wrapped before loading. From an Allwayforward shipment record.

What to prepare

Start with the
information you have

Transaction and parties

Provide your commercial invoice and available seller, buyer, manufacturer and ship-to details. We will confirm any missing party information.

Goods and origin

Describe the goods, their materials or use, and manufacturing country of origin. Include product codes or existing classifications if available.

Booking and loading

Share the booking or bill of lading details, expected loading date, and available container stuffing and consolidator information. Tell us what is still pending.

How it works

From document review
to filing status

  1. 01

    Review your request

    We check shipment status, timing and available information.

  2. 02

    Confirm the scope

    We identify missing details, confirm fees and arrange the required authorization.

  3. 03

    File and report status

    After the required review and acceptance of the engagement, our U.S. team submits the filing and communicates its status.

  4. 04

    Review changes

    Tell us promptly when shipment information changes so we can assess any update required.

Share your goods, loading status and expected dates in the request form. Documents are handed over later through the agreed channel.

Request ISF Filing

Fees & scope

Know what your
quote covers

Your quote identifies the agreed ISF service and any separate charges for additional work. Customs entry, bond arrangements, duties, freight and destination services are included only when listed. Tell us whether you need ISF alone or clearance for the same shipment.

On an ISF quote

ItemIncluded when
ISF serviceListed as the agreed ISF scope
Additional workIdentified and charged separately
Customs entry & bondOnly when listed on your quote
Duties, freight & destination servicesOnly when listed on your quote

FAQ

ISF questions

Can you file ISF if I use another forwarder?

We can review an ISF-only request. We will confirm the responsible parties, authorization and document handoff with you before accepting the work.

My cargo has already loaded. Can you help?

Send the loading date, current shipment status and available documents promptly. Our U.S. team will assess the situation and next steps. A request does not guarantee acceptance or a particular outcome.

Does sending my documents mean ISF has been filed?

No. Receipt of documents, acceptance of the engagement, submission and filing status are separate milestones. Use the status communicated by our team to confirm progress.

Does ISF always require a separate submission from entry?

No. They are different requirements, but eligible filings may be transmitted together. Our team will confirm the arrangement for your shipment.

Request ISF filing

Tell us where your shipment stands

Share your goods, loading status and expected dates. We will review the request and explain the next steps.

Request ISF Filing