No per-shipment delay
A single-entry bond has to be arranged for each shipment. A continuous bond is already on file, so the entry can be filed the moment documents arrive.
Tool · Customs bonds
Single-entry or annual bond?
CBP requires a bond on commercial imports. You can buy one per shipment or one for the year. Two numbers decide which is cheaper.
Your numbers
Cost per shipment, both options
A single-entry bond costs the same on every shipment. The annual bond costs $650 once, so the more you ship, the less it works out to per shipment. Where the two meet is your break-even.
Result
Single-entry bonds
Annual continuous bondUnlimited entries · 12 months · standard $50,000 bond$650
You save
The math
Why cargo value matters as much as shipment count
A single-entry bond is priced at $13 per $1,000 of commercial value, with a $95 minimum — the invoice value of the goods, not including duties. The minimum only applies below about $7,300; above that, the bond cost climbs with the value of your cargo. An annual continuous bond is a flat $650 covering unlimited entries for twelve months.
Both cover the bond only. ISF is filed separately at $65 per shipment either way, so it doesn't affect which bond is cheaper.
$5,000 per shipment$95 min · 7 entries
$10,000 per shipment$130 · 5 entries
$25,000 per shipment$325 · 2 entries
$50,000 per shipment$650 · 1 entry
$100,000 per shipment$1,300 · 1 entry
Right-hand column shows the cost per single entry and how many entries before the annual bond wins.
Beyond the money
Three reasons importers switch even when single-entry is cheaper.
01
02
One less thing to get wrong
A missing or insufficient bond stops the entry and starts the demurrage clock. That risk disappears with a continuous bond.
03
It scales with you
If your volume grows mid-year, a continuous bond absorbs it without another purchase or another decision.
Ready to set the bond up?
Tell us your commodity and volume and we'll quote the bond alongside the clearance.
Estimates only. Continuous bond assumes the standard $50,000 bond amount; importers whose duties, taxes and fees exceed $500,000 a year need a larger bond, quoted separately.