Can ISF filings be amended after submission?

Yes. ISF filings can be amended when more accurate information becomes available, such as final HTS codes or updated ship-to party data. However, frequent amendments, especially close to vessel departure, may indicate weak data controls and increase targeting risk.

Importer Security Filing (ISF 10+2) — Definition, CBP Rules & 2025 China–US Ocean Compliance Updated Dec 2025

Q: Who is responsible for filing ISF 10+2?

In most cases, the Importer of Record (IOR) is responsible for ISF 10+2 filing. The IOR may authorize a customs broker, freight forwarder, or NVOCC to transmit the filing, but CBP generally holds the importer accountable for timeliness and accuracy.

Q: When is ISF due?

ISF must typically be on file with CBP no later than 24 hours before vessel loading at the foreign port for most U.S.-bound containerized ocean shipments. Many brokers and forwarders set earlier internal cut-offs to avoid last-minute filing issues.

Q: Does ISF apply to air freight or express courier shipments?

No. Importer Security Filing (ISF 10+2) applies to ocean freight shipments bound for the United States. Air freight, express courier, and truck shipments follow different security and manifest rules and do not use ISF 10+2.

Q: What happens if ISF is late, missing, or incorrect?

Late, missing, or materially incorrect ISF filings can lead to monetary penalties (liquidated damages), increased CBP exams, shipment holds, and in some cases Do Not Load (DNL) instructions. Repeated issues may trigger closer scrutiny of the importer’s overall compliance program.

Q: What data is included in the ISF 10+2 elements?

The 10 importer elements cover parties such as seller, buyer, importer of record, consignee, ship-to party, manufacturer, and consolidator, plus container stuffing location, country of origin, and HTS numbers. The 2 carrier elements consist of the vessel stow plan and container status messages, which are transmitted through carrier or NVOCC systems.

Source: U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), World Customs Organization (WCO) cargo security guidance, major NVOCC / carrier procedures, and WinsBS Research (2025). For educational reference only — not legal advice.

What Is Importer Security Filing (ISF 10+2)?

View Industry Definition & Context

Importer Security Filing (ISF 10+2) is a CBP advance cargo security program for U.S.-bound ocean shipments. For most FCL and LCL imports, the Importer of Record (IOR) (or its customs broker) must transmit 10 data elements to CBP, while the carrier or NVOCC provides 2 vessel/manifest elements — therefore “10+2”.

ISF applies to containerized ocean freight bound for the U.S. and must generally be filed before vessel loading at the foreign port (often at least 24 hours in advance). Late, inaccurate, or missing ISF can lead to penalties, extra inspections, holds, and Do Not Load (DNL) flags.

“10” Importer elements (examples): seller, buyer, importer of record number, IOR, country of origin, HTS code, manufacturer (MID), ship-to party, container stuffing location, consolidator.
“2” Carrier elements: vessel stow plan and container status messages (CSM), usually transmitted by the ocean carrier or NVOCC via AMS Filing.

In modern operations, ISF is an electronic filing routed via ABI/AMS interfaces, not a paper form. It links CBP targeting with the Bill of Lading and manifest data, long before ETA, arrival notice, or delivery order are issued.

“ISF 10+2 is CBP’s early ‘x-ray’ of your shipment. If the filing is late, incomplete, or misaligned with the bill of lading and AMS data, the container gets flagged long before it hits a U.S. terminal — increasing the odds of exams, holds, and liquidated damages against the importer.”
— WinsBS Research, China–US Ocean Security Filing Benchmark 2025

ISF 10+2 vs AMS, B/L & Customs Entry

Process / Document	Main Purpose	How It Relates to ISF 10+2
ISF 10+2	Importer security filing for ocean shipments, submitted before vessel loading at the foreign port.	Uses commercial and logistics data to let CBP target security risk early. Linked to the same B/L and container numbers used in AMS and entry.
AMS Filing	Carrier or NVOCC manifest filing that reports cargo and vessel details to CBP and other agencies.	AMS is “carrier-side” manifest; ISF is “importer-side” security filing. CBP expects ISF data to be consistent with AMS/B/L data.
Bill of Lading (B/L)	Contract of carriage and key reference for container numbers, shipper, consignee, and routing.	ISF references B/L numbers and parties. If the B/L is reissued or split without updating ISF, misalignment can trigger holds, penalties, or extra exams.
CBP Entry (3461)	Customs entry / immediate delivery authorization allowing cargo to be released into U.S. commerce.	ISF is not a customs entry. It must be on file before loading; customs entry happens closer to arrival and is based on the same HTS, value, and origin data.
Entry Summary (7501)	Duty calculation and formal declaration of value, classification, and origin.	CBP can compare ISF HS codes/origin with 7501 data. Large discrepancies increase audit and penalty risk.
Delivery Order (DO)	Terminal or depot release authorization for physical pickup of containers or LCL cargo.	ISF controls security targeting before loading; DO controls physical release after arrival. Weak ISF processes show up as late releases, exams, and late DOs.

For cross-border e-commerce importers, ISF is the starting point of a broader chain: security filing → manifest → cut-off time → customs entry → DO → free time and Last Free Day (LFD). Errors at the ISF stage can ripple into exams, demurrage, and missed launch dates.

How a Typical ISF Workflow Looks (China → US FCL)

Step	Key Action	ISF-Related Notes
1. PO & Booking	Buyer issues purchase order; forwarder or freight forwarder books space with carrier or NVOCC.	ISF clock has effectively started — importer must confirm who will file (broker, forwarder, or in-house) and gather required “10 data elements”.
2. Data Collection	Supplier shares commercial invoice, packing list, HTS suggestions, manufacturer details, and stuffing plan.	Missing or low-quality data here leads to guesswork ISFs, HS misclassification, or origin gaps.
3. ISF 10+2 Filing	Importer (or customs broker) files ISF via ABI/AMS interface before the vessel cut-off.	CBP expects ISF to be on file at least 24 hours before vessel loading in most cases. Amendments can be filed, but repeated changes raise targeting risk.
4. Vessel Loading & Departure	Cargo is loaded at origin port; carrier sends AMS and related manifest updates.	ISF should already match B/L and AMS details. If not, CBP flags mismatches for review.
5. Transit & CBP Targeting	Container sails toward the U.S.; CBP uses ISF + AMS data for risk targeting.	Higher-risk profiles can trigger non-intrusive inspections, exams, or document requests before arrival.
6. Arrival, Entry & Release	Broker files customs entry; CBP decides on release or exam; terminal availability and DO follow.	A clean ISF history reduces surprise exams and keeps your containers closer to “green lane” behavior.

In high-volume e-commerce flows, ISF status should be tracked in OMS and WMS dashboards — not just email chains. Treating ISF as a structured data object, not a one-off filing, is the foundation of predictable port performance.

Regional Patterns & ISF Practices (2025)

View Trade Lane ISF Characteristics

Region / Scenario	Key Actors	ISF Considerations
China → US (FCL)	Supplier, consolidator, NVOCC, customs broker	Data gathering often depends on Chinese suppliers providing accurate manufacturer, origin, and stuffing details on time. Late PO confirmations and frequent routing changes are major drivers of ISF amendments. WinsBS benchmarks show that e-commerce brands relying on “last-minute” bookings from China have significantly higher ISF late or amended rates.
China → US (LCL / CFS)	Consolidators, CFS operators, forwarders	Multiple shippers share one container; consolidator plays a central role in stuffing locations and consolidator details for ISF. Higher complexity in matching HBL, MBL, and multiple HTS codes to the correct ISF records. ISF errors in LCL cargo frequently show up as unexpected CFS exams or delayed DO issuance.
Factory Direct vs. Trading Company	Manufacturer, trader, IOR, broker	ISF requires accurate manufacturer and seller data; using only a trading company name can trigger questions. Brands with multiple tiers of suppliers must maintain a clean mapping from POs to manufacturer IDs and origins. Poor visibility here increases UFLPA and forced-labor targeting risk on top of ISF risk.
EU / UK → US	EU forwarders, UK consolidators, US broker	Shippers sometimes confuse ISF with EU’s Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) regime. They are separate systems, governed by different authorities. Transshipment through EU hubs can complicate manufacturer, origin, and stuffing location records. Clean documentation at each leg reduces conflicting information across filings.
Port → FBA / 3PL Warehouse	3PLs, Amazon FBA, DTC warehouses	ISF issues often show up as exams and late DOs, which then collide with inbound appointments at FBA and 3PL warehouses. WinsBS recommends linking ISF risk scores into FBA prep and warehouse receiving calendars. For high-volume brands, ISF performance is a strategic input to network routing — not just a compliance checkbox.

Expert Insight — Why ISF is the First Gate for “Safe” China–US Containers

View Analyst Commentary

Maxwell Anderson, Editor-in-Chief & Data Director, WinsBS Research:

1. ISF is the earliest structured picture CBP has of your shipment。
Before the vessel sails, ISF already tells CBP who the manufacturer is, where the goods come from, and how they are classified. If that picture is fuzzy or inconsistent with HTS and origin reality, your brand becomes a priority for exams。

2. Late ISF is usually a process failure, not an “emergency booking” problem。
We see teams blame tight vessel cut-offs when, in fact, basic master data — manufacturers, ship-to parties, default HTS codes — is missing from their systems. Once these are codified at SKU level, ISF can be triggered automatically from POs, even on short notice。

3. ISF, AMS, and B/L should be one data model, not three sets of spreadsheets。
Advanced importers treat ISF, AMS, and B/L as different “views” of the same shipment object. That approach dramatically cuts mismatches and reduces CBP questions during targeting。

4. E-commerce brands need ISF KPIs, not just “filed/not filed” status。
WinsBS benchmarks track ISF on-time rate, amendment rate, and penalty incidents per 1,000 containers. These KPIs correlate directly with demurrage patterns, exam rates, and launch date reliability on new SKUs。

5. The cheapest forwarder quote often hides weak compliance infrastructure。
A few dollars saved on base ocean rates are quickly wiped out by one ISF penalty or extra exam. For high-growth brands, the real ROI is in predictable, penalty-free lanes that let marketing campaigns and inventory planning trust the ETA schedule。

— WinsBS Research, Importer Security Filing & CBP Targeting Benchmark 2025

Risk Radar — ISF 10+2 Risk Scenarios (2025)

View Critical Risk Scenarios

Importer Security Filing (ISF 10+2) FAQ — Common Questions

Who is responsible for filing ISF 10+2?

In most cases, the Importer of Record (IOR) listed on the shipment is responsible for ISF. The IOR may authorize a customs broker or forwarder to transmit ISF on its behalf, but CBP generally holds the importer accountable for accuracy and timeliness.

When is ISF due?

ISF must generally be on file with CBP no later than 24 hours before vessel loading at the foreign port for most U.S.-bound containerized ocean shipments. Brokers and forwarders often set earlier internal cut-offs to avoid last-minute issues.

Does ISF apply to air freight or express courier shipments?

No. ISF 10+2 applies to ocean freight shipments bound for the U.S. Air freight, express courier, and pure truck movements into the U.S. follow different security and manifest rules, but they do not use ISF 10+2.

What happens if ISF is late, missing, or incorrect?

CBP may assess monetary penalties (liquidated damages), increase exam rates, place holds on shipments, or in extreme cases issue “Do Not Load” instructions. Chronic late or inaccurate ISF filings can trigger closer CBP scrutiny of a brand’s entire import program.

Can I amend ISF after filing?

Yes. ISF can be amended when better information becomes available (for example, final HTS codes or updated ship-to details). However, frequent amendments, especially close to departure, may signal weak data control and increase targeting risk. Importers should aim to get core manufacturer, origin, and HTS data right the first time.

What data is included in the “10+2” elements?

The “10” importer elements include parties like seller, buyer, importer of record, consignee, ship-to party, manufacturer, and consolidator, plus details such as container stuffing location, country of origin, and HTS number. The “2” carrier elements cover the vessel stow plan and container status messages, transmitted via carrier systems.

Turn ISF from a Penalty Risk into a Predictable Compliance Workflow

For cross-border e-commerce brands, Importer Security Filing (ISF 10+2) is often the first point where CBP sees your SKUs, suppliers, and classifications. If ISF is handled as a one-off “form”, it becomes a recurring source of penalties, exams, and late releases that quietly push up your landed cost.

WinsBS helps brands embed ISF into a structured, system-driven import workflow by:

Mapping which party files ISF on each lane (broker, forwarder, NVOCC, or in-house) and tying that responsibility to your OMS, WMS, and PO processes.
Building SKU-level master data (HTS, origin, manufacturer, buyer/seller mapping) that auto-populates ISF elements instead of relying on manual spreadsheets or ad-hoc supplier emails.
Coordinating ISF with AMS, booking, and cut-off logic so that last-minute routing changes do not break compliance or create surprise DNL flags.
Linking ISF quality metrics (on-time rate, amendment rate, penalty incidents) to your 3PL, FBA prep, and forwarder scorecards.
Feeding ISF-driven exam and delay costs back into your landed cost models so that you choose lanes and partners based on total risk-adjusted cost, not just base ocean rates.

When ISF is treated as a strategic, data-driven process, your China–US ocean lanes behave more predictably: fewer surprises at the port, fewer last-minute “fire drills”, and more reliable stock landings for campaigns and product launches.

Get ISF-Compliant Import Routing with WinsBS →

WinsBS Blog Insights

ISF 10+2 data flow from PO and suppliers to CBP systems — WinsBS visual reference

ISF 10+2 Explained: Data, Deadlines & Common Failure Patterns

A practical walkthrough of ISF 10+2 for e-commerce importers — how to pull data from POs and suppliers, align it with AMS and B/L, and avoid last-minute filing scrambles.

Read Full Guide →

Chart showing ISF late filing cases vs demurrage and exam rates — WinsBS visual reference

How ISF Late Filing Correlates with Exams & Demurrage

WinsBS Research case studies linking ISF on-time rates to CBP exam probabilities, port dwell time, and demurrage patterns on major China–US lanes.

View Analysis →

Dashboard view combining ISF status, AMS, ETA, and warehouse appointments — WinsBS visual reference

Designing ISF-Aware Flows for FBA, FBM & 3PL Networks

How to connect ISF, AMS, ETA, customs entry, and inbound appointments so import, finance, and warehouse teams share the same release timeline.

View Benchmarks →

Content Attribution & License

General definitions and public references are shared under the CC BY-SA 4.0 License.

Analytical insights and commentary labeled “WinsBS Research” are © WinsBS Research (2025) and licensed exclusively to WinsBS Wiki.

Data sources include CBP guidance on Importer Security Filing (ISF 10+2), DHS cargo security resources, WCO supply-chain security frameworks, carrier and NVOCC documentation, and WinsBS Research datasets on ISF performance, exam rates, and landed cost impact.

* Information verified as of December 2025. WinsBS Research assumes no liability for regulatory, tariff, or operational changes after publication.