ISF (Importer Security Filing)
A US customs requirement that ocean importers file shipment details, known as 10+2, at least 24 hours before cargo is loaded on the vessel at origin.
TL;DR: ISF is a United States rule for ocean shipments. The importer must send specific shipment data to US Customs and Border Protection at least 24 hours before the cargo is loaded onto the ship at the foreign port.
ISF applies only to goods arriving in the United States by sea. It is often called “10+2” because the importer provides ten data elements and the ocean carrier provides two. The importer’s items include the seller, buyer, importer of record, consignee, manufacturer or supplier, ship-to party, country of origin, HS Code, container stuffing location, and consolidator. The carrier submits the vessel stow plan and container status messages.
The 24-hour deadline is measured from loading at origin, not from arrival in the US. For a shipment from China, that means the filing must be done while the goods are still in port there. Late, inaccurate, or missing filings can result in penalties and extra inspections.
Most importers have their customs broker or freight forwarder file the ISF. The buyer’s job is to make sure the supplier sends the needed details in time, especially the manufacturer’s full name and address and the container stuffing location.
A practical tip is to request these details from your supplier when you confirm the booking, not on the day the container is loaded. If the shipment is booked under FOB and your own forwarder handles freight, confirm who is responsible for filing. See also Customs Broker and Customs Clearance.