Start an ISF (10+2) from a US-bound ocean import

US Customs requires an Importer Security Filing (ISF, the "10+2") on ocean cargo bound for the United States. The shipment is where an ISF starts: it holds the facts that decide when the filing is due and which type is required, and it carries the card that creates the filing. The filing itself is then built and transmitted in Customs → ISF Filings.

Before you start

• The shipment must be an ocean import.
• Your organization must be connected to CBP — see File an ISF (10+2) with US Customs. Without a connection the ISF card cannot create a filing, and no deadline alerts are raised.
• Have the supply chain at hand: seller, buyer, manufacturer, ship-to, consolidator, stuffing location, HTSUS classification, and the bond.

Steps

1. Open the shipment and, on the Overview tab, expand Customs & Compliance (it auto-expands on imports).
2. Check ISF movement facts first. These four answers decide the legal deadline and whether an ISF-5 is required instead of an ISF-10 — change them only when you know how the cargo actually moves:
   • Freight remaining on board (FROB) — the cargo stays on the vessel and never enters the United States. It needs an ISF-5, due 24 hours before the cargo is laden.
   • Break-bulk cargo — loose cargo loaded piece by piece rather than in containers.
   • AMS break-bulk exemption on file — CBP has granted the carrier the break-bulk exemption. Together with break-bulk cargo and no containers, the ISF is then due 24 hours before arrival instead of 24 hours before loading, often weeks later. Un-tick it and the deadline moves back.
   • In-bond move — set it only when the cargo travels under a CBP bond. Transportation & Exportation (62) and Immediate Exportation (63) moves require an ISF-5.
3. On the ISF card, choose Create ISF. Before a filing exists the card shows the pre-filing countdown — the deadline the shipment already implies — so you can see the pressure before anything is created.
4. Linbis creates the filing linked to this shipment, pre-fills what it can from the shipment, and opens the filing workspace. From here on the work is in Customs → ISF Filings: complete the elements, work the completeness rail, preview exactly what will be transmitted, and transmit.
5. Come back to the shipment at any time. The card now shows the filing's status, its bill-match state, and the deadline countdown, with Open filing, Preview and transmit, View timeline and — depending on the status — File amendment or Fix and file again.

Result

The shipment carries the movement facts CBP's deadline rules depend on, the ISF exists and is linked to it, and everyone touching the shipment can see how much time is left and where the filing stands. The neighbouring Customs Entry card tracks the entry itself (entry number, duties, holds, release).

Tips

• Editing the shipment schedule re-computes the ISF deadline. A pushed ETD moves the countdown and raises a fresh alert against the new date.
• Late or missing ISF risks liquidated damages of $5,000 per violation plus exam delays — treat the countdown as a hard cutoff, not advice.
• Exports are the mirror image: ocean exports over $2,500 need EEI/AES filing — the compliance section shows the EEI card on those shipments instead.

Related

• File an ISF (10+2) with US Customs
• Shipments screen reference
• Your first ocean shipment, end to end