What do I need to get my shipment cleared through customs?

• A Customs Broker - as your customs broker, Capito Enterprises, Inc. will help guide you through the entry clearance process and advise you on any other requirements needed to clear your shipment through customs.
• Customs Bond - as the importer or record, in order to clear your shipment through customs, you will need to have a bond in place to secure the duty payment that will be paid to customs when your shipment comes to the United States. You will also need a bond to file the Importer Security Filing (ISF 10 + 2) at least 48 hours before your cargo departs from the origin port.
• Commercial Invoice and Packing List - In order to clear your shipment through customs we will need the invoice and packing list you receive from your supplier to report the correct value and quantity of your products. This will also help us to identify which classification best describes your product in order to calculate the amount of duty you will be paying, if you do not provide a specific classification for us to use. Invoices must have a clear description of the product and must be translated in English if the original in a foreign language.

How is duty calculated?

Duty is based on the total value of your goods being shipped. Using the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, we can determine what classification to use for your product. Each classification is assigned a general duty rate. This is a percentage of the value of your goods.

Download the current Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States for reference.

When do I need to pay the duty?

• Once the shipment is cleared through customs, you have 10 days to pay the duty. As your customs broker, Capito Enterprises, Inc. can pay the duty on your behalf, and it will be billed to you along with our clearance fees.
• If you are planning to import many shipments, we can also help arrange for you to pay customs directly through ACH.
• Duty payments can also be made on a month to month basis to customs. This is called a Periodic Monthly Statement, which lumps all your customs entries and duty payments within a month into one payment. Capito Enterprises, Inc. can help you set this up with U.S. Customs as well.

When does my shipment need to be cleared through customs?

• Prior to your cargo departing from the port of origin, an Importer Security Filing (ISF 10+2), will need to be filed with customs. This filing was implemented after 9-11 as a security measure in order to alert U.S. Customs on what would be arriving via ocean vessel. This filing must be done at least 48 hours prior to your cargo leaving the origin port. If this is not done prior to your cargo arriving to the United States, Customs can flag your shipment for an exam at the port in order to verify the contents. Exams can incur many charges and fees, as well as delay your shipment. Capito Enterprises, Inc. can help verify the ISF is filed prior to departure, or process the filing on your behalf.
• Once the cargo arrives in the United States, the shipment should be cleared as soon as possible. Based on how your shipment is arriving at final its final destination, Capito Enterprises, Inc. will insure to clear your shipment in a timely manner to avoid delays.

What happens once my shipment is cleared?

Once your shipment is cleared, your cargo is released from U.S. Customs and can be delivered to its final destination, whether it be directly to your customer or your door. Capito Enterprises, Inc. can also help in arranging delivery to your final destination upon request.