Power of Attorney Form
New Client Package
Application for Continuous Bond
SLI Form
ISF Form
CBP ACH Form
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Helpful Hints and Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Customs Broker?
Customs Brokers like JF Moran are licensed by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to conduct CBP business as an agent for an importer. Brokers liaise with CBP and other government agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration, US Department of Agriculture, or the Fish and Wildlife Service on the importer's behalf to provide them with the required documents, forms, and information to enter your goods in compliance with all relevant regulations and legislation. More than 30% of JF Moran employees are Licensed Customs Brokers, and we retain attorneys that specialize in international trade as well as former CBP personnel for counsel and consultation.
Why should I use a Customs Broker?
As your Customs Broker, JF Moran will ensure your imports meet the everchanging requirements of CBP and other government agencies. We stay abreast of current rules, regulations, and conditions that could affect your delivery times and duty rates. JF Moran can also advise on trade agreements, tariff changes, and opportunities that could have a significant impact on duties and taxes, reducing your bottom line.
What other services does a Customs Broker provide?
JF Moran provides a full suite of services, including door to door transport arrangements from your supplier to your client through air and ocean freight, FTZ, warehousing, and trucking services, and providing CBP bonds and cargo insurance. We can also assist with in-bond services, appeals, drawback duty refunds, and reconciliations. Our global network affords our clients lower rates, faster transit times, and world-class service.
I’m a first-time importer. What will I need to get started?
We will need several shipping documents from your overseas supplier or agent to begin the import process.
Bill of Lading
Commercial Invoice - This needs to include the following:
Consignee
Shipper
Country of Origin
Description and quantity of goods
The value of the shipment and the currency used
The appropriate tariff from the HTSUS
Some goods require additional documentation, please contact JF Moran for more information.
If the cargo is being imported by sea, an ISF will also need to be filed prior to the vessel's departure from the port of exportation.
What is an ISF?
The Importer Security Filing (ISF) 10+2 is an initiative from CBP that requires advance cargo information to be transmitted to Customs at least 24 hours before goods are loaded onto a vessel for shipment to the US. Importers need to provide 10 data elements for the filing to be considered complete, while carriers will provide 2. Failure to file an ISF before the vessel leaves the last port of transshipment may result in fines, fees, and penalties from CBP.
The 10 data elements include:
Bill of Lading Number
Importer of Record Number and Consignee Number (if different)
Seller
Buyer
Ship-To Party
Consolidator
Container Stuffing Location
Manufacturer
Country of Origin
HTS-6 of the Commodity
What do I need to get started with an air shipment?
JF Moran can assist with all the details of exporting or importing your cargo via air. We will need the following information to get your shipment started: the desired origination and destination airports, the consignee and shipper details, and the description, quantity, value, and dimensions of the cargo.
Why do I need to provide JF Moran with a power of attorney (POA)?
The POA authorizes JF Moran to conduct business with CBP on the importer’s behalf. It is a requirement of the US government that JF Moran have a POA on file for each client.
At which US ports can JF Moran provide Customs Brokerage?
JF Moran has regional offices throughout the US and can provide Customs Brokerage services to any US port of entry. We can file Customs entries remotely for shipments coming to all ports throughout the US.
What are duties? How do I pay them?
Duties are assessed by CBP on any commercial goods imported into the US according to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). The Licensed Customs Brokers at JF Moran will provide their expertise in determining the valuation and HTSUS classification of the product and will determine the duty owed to Customs, usually a percent of the value of the merchandise. Additional taxes or fees may also be assessed including merchandise processing and harbor maintenance fees, countervailing and anti-dumping duties, and excise taxes.
JF Moran can assist with the payment of duties to CBP, either through setting up a CBP ACH account for your company or by paying all duties, taxes, and fees directly to CBP and invoicing the charges to you. Ultimately, the payment of duties is the responsibility of the importer of record, but we are here to help you manage that.
What is a CBP Bond? Why am I required to have a bond with Customs?
A CBP bond is a contract provided by a surety company that acts as a guarantee for payment of applicable duties, taxes, and charges to Customs in a timely manner. JF Moran can advise on the type and amount of bond that will be necessary for your shipments. There are other options for providing CBP with this guarantee of payment, including posting cash for the bond amount, but these funds will not be released until well after the entry is liquidated, which can take months or even years.
What is duty drawback?
Duty drawback is the refund of duties, taxes and certain fees that were paid on the importation of merchandise or certain manufactured items. Drawback can be filed upon the documented exportation or destruction of these products. New drawback regulations allow more flexibility in the requirements, which could save up to 99% of the duty paid on these imports. JF Moran can assist with the complicated process and paperwork required for drawback filings.
I have some special shipment conditions. Can JF Moran help me with the shipping process?
JF Moran has the experience and expertise to handle your special import shipments and help you find the right solution for your business, including temporary, duty-free entries like carnets or TIBs, consolidated entry summary filings, FTZ and warehousing entries and withdrawals, and filings for duty-exempt merchandise.
What is a freight forwarder?
Freight forwarders like JF Moran provide logistics services to companies dealing in international trade and shipping. We act as an intermediary between you and the various transportation services involved in shipping goods globally, which can include a multitude of carriers as well as varying requirements and legalities. JF Moran has established relationships with a global network of agents and carriers that allow us to find the right balance of speed, cost, and reliability to meet your needs, because here at JF Moran, our client’s success is our success.
Why use a freight forwarder?
JF Moran is capable of customizing our services to satisfy client requests and needs and can provide door-to-door logistics services, including origin loading, transport, and delivery, as well as any bond, Customs, and insurance requirements, unlike carriers, who are primarily concerned with building loads for pre-determined routes. We have volume purchasing strength to negotiate rates with carriers and the industry knowledge and experience to provide you with world-class service.
What do LCL/FCL and LTL/FTL mean?
“Less than container/truck load” and “full container/truck load”. LTL/LCL shipments are shipments where the quantity would not be enough to fill a standard shipping container or truck bed and are an affordable option for smaller volumes. JF Moran can help you determine the right type of freight and shipping terms for your needs.
What is the difference between gross weight and chargeable weight?
Chargeable weight is the greater of either the dimensional weight or actual weight, while gross weight is the weight of the cargo + packing. Dimensional weight represents the space the cargo occupies and is assessed by determining the volume of the package multiplied by a shipping factor. Please feel free to contact JF Moran with any questions regarding how chargeable weight is calculated.