ISF (10+2) filing for ocean shipments from China: the 24-hour rule
Customs & rules · Updated
If you ship by ocean from China to the US, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires an Importer Security Filing (ISF), commonly called 10+2, before your cargo is loaded onto the vessel. Miss it, file it late, or get it wrong, and CBP can issue liquidated damages of $5,000 per violation.
ISF applies to ocean freight only. Air shipments do not need it. This guide explains what the 10+2 filing is, the 24-hour deadline, the data you need to collect, and how a small importer avoids the penalty.
Key takeaways
- --ISF (10+2) is a mandatory advance security filing required by CBP for all ocean cargo bound for the US.
- --The ISF must be filed no later than 24 hours before cargo is loaded onto the vessel at the China port.
- --ISF applies only to ocean freight; air shipments do not require this filing.
- --The penalty for a late, inaccurate, or incomplete ISF is $5,000 per violation in liquidated damages.
- --The ISF requires 10 data elements from the importer and 2 additional elements from the ocean carrier.
- --Most small importers have their customs broker or freight forwarder file the ISF on their behalf.
What ISF (10+2) is
ISF is an advance security filing CBP uses to screen ocean cargo before it heads to the US. The name 10+2 means 10 data elements that you, the importer, are responsible for, plus 2 that the ocean carrier files (the vessel stow plan and container status messages).
The filing is electronic, submitted through CBP's systems (ABI or ACE). In practice a licensed customs broker or your forwarder files it for you, but the data and the responsibility are yours as the importer of record.
The 24-hour deadline
Your ISF must be on file no later than 24 hours before the cargo is loaded onto the vessel at the origin port in China. That means the data has to be ready while the goods are still at the port in China, not when they arrive in the US.
This is the single most common way small importers get caught: they treat the ISF as a US-arrival task, but the clock runs against the loading date in China. If your supplier or forwarder is slow to send shipment details, you can blow the deadline before the box even leaves.
The 10 data elements you provide
- Seller (the party selling the goods)
- Buyer (the party buying them)
- Importer of record number / FTZ applicant ID
- Consignee number(s)
- Manufacturer or supplier
- Ship-to party
- Country of origin
- Commodity HTSUS (HS) number
- Container stuffing location
- Consolidator (the party who stuffed the container)
Eight of these must be filed at least 24 hours before loading. The last two, container stuffing location and consolidator, have slightly more flexible timing but still need to be filed before arrival. The carrier separately files the remaining 2 elements.
How a small importer stays compliant
- Collect the 10+2 data with your purchase order, not at the last minute. Most elements come straight from your supplier and commercial invoice.
- Get your HS code confirmed early. It feeds both the ISF and your customs entry.
- Have one party file the ISF and the customs entry, so the same accurate data flows through both and nothing is missed.
- Build the 24-hour-before-loading deadline into your shipping timeline, so a late detail from the supplier does not turn into a penalty.
We handle the ISF as part of an all-in ocean shipment: we collect the data before your goods are loaded in China and file on time, so the 24-hour rule never becomes a $5,000 surprise.
FAQ
Do I need an ISF for shipments from China?
Yes, if you ship by ocean. CBP requires an Importer Security Filing for ocean cargo bound for the US. Air shipments do not need an ISF. The filing is your responsibility as the importer, even when a broker files it for you.
When does the ISF have to be filed?
No later than 24 hours before your cargo is loaded onto the vessel at the origin port. The deadline runs against the loading date in China, not the US arrival date, which is why the data has to be ready early.
What is the penalty for a late or wrong ISF?
CBP can issue liquidated damages of $5,000 per violation for an ISF that is late, inaccurate, or incomplete. Repeated problems can also lead to more cargo holds and exams.
Can I file the ISF myself?
ISF is filed electronically through CBP's systems (ABI or ACE), which generally means using a licensed customs broker or a third-party filing service. Most small importers have their forwarder or broker file it as part of the shipment.
What happens if I submit the ISF with incorrect information?
CBP can issue $5,000 in liquidated damages for an inaccurate or incomplete ISF, the same penalty as for a late filing. If the goods have already shipped, CBP can also issue a do-not-load order on future shipments or hold the cargo for inspection. The safest approach is to confirm the HS code and all 10 data elements with your supplier before the goods are ready to load, not after.
Does my forwarder handle the ISF, or do I need to file it separately?
If you use a full-service freight forwarder that includes customs brokerage, the ISF is typically handled as part of the ocean shipment process. The forwarder collects the 10+2 data from you and your supplier, files the ISF on time, and confirms submission. If you use separate vendors for freight and customs, confirm which party is responsible for the ISF filing before goods are ready to load. A missed ISF deadline because of vendor confusion is a common and avoidable problem.
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