ISF 10+2: What Ocean Importers Must File, and When

The Importer Security Filing is due 24 hours before loading — and most missed filings trace back to data that arrived too late.

The Importer Security Filing — ISF, or "10+2" — is an advance cargo data requirement under 19 CFR Part 149. For ocean shipments, ten data elements must be transmitted electronically to CBP no later than 24 hours before the cargo is loaded onto the vessel at the foreign port. The carrier separately provides two more elements, the vessel stow plan and container status messages, which is where the "10+2" name comes from.

ISF applies to ocean freight only. Air shipments fall under the Air Cargo Advance Screening program, which has its own rules and timing.

Late, inaccurate or missing filings carry penalties of up to $5,000 per violation, and an ISF problem can also mean holds and exam costs on arrival. Because the deadline sits before loading, an ISF is only as good as the data your supplier sends you — most missed filings trace back to a manufacturer address or a purchase order number that arrived too late.

We handle ISF for our ocean customers and chase the missing data elements before the cutoff rather than after. If your shipments are being held or you are unsure whether your filings are being transmitted and accepted, contact us.