A customs entry is the formal declaration made to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that provides information about imported merchandise — what it is, where it came from, how much it is worth, and what duties and taxes are owed. Every commercial shipment entering the United States must be accompanied by a customs entry, regardless of value, origin, or mode of transportation. The entry process is the mechanism through which CBP enforces trade laws, collects revenue, and controls the admissibility of goods into US commerce.
The entry process is governed by Title 19 of the United States Code and Title 19 of the Code of Federal Regulations. It involves two distinct steps: the entry itself (the initial release of goods) and the entry summary (the detailed declaration with duty payment). Understanding how these steps work, what documents are required, and what timelines apply is essential for any company importing goods into the United States.
CBP recognizes over 20 different entry types, each designed for a specific import scenario. The entry type determines the processing rules, duty obligations, and regulatory requirements that apply to the shipment. The four most common entry types that importers encounter are:
The entry type must match the actual intended use of the goods. Filing a Type 23 (temporary importation) for goods you intend to sell domestically is a violation. Filing a Type 01 (consumption) for goods destined for an FTZ wastes the duty deferral benefit. Work with your customs broker to select the appropriate entry type for each shipment based on its intended disposition.
A complete customs entry requires several documents that together establish the identity, value, origin, and classification of the imported goods. Missing or inaccurate documents can delay cargo release, trigger CBP examinations, and result in penalties. The core documents required for every commercial entry include:
Depending on the product, additional documents may be required: certificates of origin (for trade agreement preferences), FDA prior notice (for food imports), FCC declarations (for electronics), EPA certificates (for motor vehicles), TSCA certifications (for chemical substances), and many others. Product-specific regulatory requirements are determined by the HTS classification of the goods.
The customs entry process operates on a specific timeline that importers must understand and adhere to. Failure to meet filing deadlines can result in goods being sent to a general order warehouse at the importer's expense, or worse, being considered abandoned.
The entry summary (CF 7501) is the most legally significant document in the entry process. It contains the detailed line-item declaration of every product in the shipment, including the 10-digit HTS code, entered value, country of origin, applicable duty rate, and calculated duty amount. The entry summary is filed electronically through CBP's Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) system, and duty payment is made via ACE's electronic payment system (Automated Clearinghouse or daily statement).
After the entry summary is filed, the entry enters the liquidation phase. CBP reviews the entry and either liquidates it as filed (accepting the importer's declared classification and value) or adjusts the entry if CBP disagrees with any element. Liquidation typically occurs within 314 days of the entry date but can be extended or suspended — particularly for entries subject to AD/CVD orders, pending court decisions, or ongoing investigations. Importers have 180 days from the date of liquidation to file a protest (CBP Form 19) if they disagree with CBP's adjustments.
Modern customs compliance platforms automate much of the entry filing process — from document extraction and data validation to HTS classification and ACE transmission. Automated entry filing reduces processing time from hours to minutes, eliminates manual data entry errors (a leading cause of CBP rejections and penalties), and provides real-time visibility into entry status across all ports. For importers handling dozens or hundreds of entries per month, automation is not a luxury — it is a competitive necessity.
Monitor your customs compliance by tracking: entry rejection rate (target: under 2%), average time from arrival to release, duty payment accuracy (matched at liquidation), and number of CBP Form 28 (Request for Information) inquiries received. These metrics reveal the health of your entry filing process and flag issues before they become penalties.
“The entry is the foundation of the importer-CBP relationship. Every entry you file is a legal declaration. Accuracy and timeliness are not just best practices — they are legal obligations under the reasonable care standard.”
— CBP Informed Compliance Publication
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