Whether you’ve been importing goods to the U.S. for years, or just setting up shop, contending with clearing freight into the country through Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a complex affair. Everything needs to be buttoned up tight in order to avoid unnecessary delays and snafus.

So, how long does customs clearance take? Depending on how prepared your shipment is, CBP clearance can take less than a day, or as long as a week or two in extreme cases if your container is placed on hold for customs inspection.

Here are steps you can take to make the process as smooth as possible, ensuring proper clearance so your shipment gets on its way to the final destination with a minimum of disruption.

1.   Submit the Importer Security Filing (ISF) On Time

Late or missing ISFs are one of the most common triggers for customs exams, which can delay shipments significantly. For each import shipment, make sure that the ISF is submitted to customs at least 24 hours before vessel departure. 

Andrew Rozek is president of New Jersey-based freight forwarder I.C.E. Transport, which for decades has provided reliable export and import logistics services between Europe and the U.S. Rozek said he has seen cases with clients where they use I.C.E. as well as another customs broker for a multi-part shipment, and the other broker failed to file the ISF on time.

“When the container arrives and the ISF is not filed, that is one big trigger for CBP to do a customs exam,” Rozek said. “Even if all the other paperwork is accurate, that will definitely slow things down. They can x-ray the container, or open it up for inspection. Even if the hold is removed quickly, there will be a financial penalty as there will be exam charges and possible demurrage and per diem.”

Without a timely ISF filing, the container is placed on a hold. It could be lifted within hours if the missing or incorrect data is promptly corrected before the vessel arrives at port or before the container is pulled for inspection. But if the issue is addressed after arrival or after CBP flags the shipment, the delay can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on circumstances.

Bottom line: get the ISF filed on time. An experienced customs broker or a freight forwarder that provides customs clearance agent services will make sure this happens; their reputation is riding on it.

2. Participate in CTPAT (Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism)

CTPAT-certified importers, carriers, and service providers are considered lower risk by customs officials and, as a result, experience fewer exams and faster clearance. It’s analogous to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Pre-Check program for air travel. In both cases, participants must meet strict eligibility criteria and stay compliant in order to maintain their trusted status.

As I.C.E. Transport is CTPAT certified, it does the extra legwork and takes security measures on all the shipments it manages. According to Rozek, “We’re saying in effect to CBP, ‘we'll look out for you by checking on our customers more than normal, making sure that they're doing what is required to keep the supply chain safe.’ The CTPAT certification does expedite processing and make things move along more smoothly.”

3. Classify Goods with Accurate HS Codes

Ensure that goods are identified by their accurate HS code classification, especially commodities that may require multiple HS codes. Determining accurate HS codes has gotten more complex and involved since the Trump administration imposed new duty rates on imported goods. This is another area where the right customs broker who stays on top of classification updates based on tariff changes makes all the difference.

In the past, many imports to the U.S. just needed a single HS base code for the particular good. Now, there could be two or even three separate codes for goods within the same shipment, including codes linked to reciprocal tariffs and Section 301 (China), and Section 232 (steel, aluminum, automobiles, and auto parts) tariffs.

Imports could also be subject to countervailing duties (CVD) or anti-dumping duties (ADD), requiring an additional, case-specific HTS classification. Also, a product made with components from multiple countries may need multiple HS codes to account for content origin or special treatment, such as USMCA rules. For example, a cabinet made in Mexico with Chinese hardware may require codes reflecting both.

Chinese imports are particularly tricky, often involving four or more HS codes: The base product code, any applicable Section 301 tariff, the new 2025 tariff on top of that, and the 10% reciprocal tariff across all countries.

“It’s gotten so bad with the number of new HS codes required that CBP actually had to reconfigure its system to allow more codes to be put on a single customs entry,” Rozek said. “The process has gotten more time consuming because you're not just reporting the accurate code for that commodity, but now you also must find the appropriate HS code for the region it's coming from or the country to make sure that the duty is correct.”

4. Know When to Apply for a Binding Ruling

A binding ruling is a written decision issued by CBP that provides official guidance on the HS classification or other import-related matters for a specific product or transaction. Once issued, the ruling is legally binding on both the importer and CBP, and must be followed at all U.S. ports of entry. 

Binding rulings help ensure consistent treatment of goods, reduce uncertainty in trade compliance, and expedite clearing customs by resolving classification questions in advance of importation. However, as Rozek explains, they can be a “two-edged sword.”

“Quite possibly, if you pursue a binding ruling, you could end up with an HS code that carries a higher duty rate, but now you're locked into it," he said. "The CBP ruling could also result in a lower duty rate. It’s the risk that you take, and you must live with it for as long as you’re importing that particular good.”

5. File a Pre-Notification with the Proper Federal Agency

For commodities that require extra regulatory oversight, there are several federal agencies, including FDA, USDA, DEA, EPA, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) that require importers to provide additional information about their shipment. This is typically in place to protect public health, safety, and the environment.  The FDA is one agency that requires prior notice about a shipment that is being imported.

An exporter or importer of beer from Europe, for example, must not only register the brewery, the warehouses where it is stored, and the importer, but also provide advance details about the ocean and land carrier, the port and arrival date and time, and planned use or final disposition to document the full chain of custody.

The consequences of failing to file a pre-notification are severe: An automatic CBP or agency hold, refusal of admission for any food or beverage item (and re-export at the shipper’s expense, or destruction), and fines for repeated or egregious violations. 

This is another important area where your customs clearance service provider can advise you and ensure that the proper notification forms are completed and submitted ahead of time.

6. Stay On Top of Regulatory Changes

Constant monitoring of federal announcements on tariff or HS code changes is beyond the scope of most importers. It’s best left up to your trusted customs broker or freight forwarder. 

You can still look at a customs entry summary and call a duty rate into question, but ultimately, that’s what you're paying your broker for. They’re the one doing all the legwork for you, keeping up to date on all the current regulations, tariffs and trade policies that affect shipment of your goods. But if your customs broker is not on top of CBP updates, this will undoubtedly lead to delays.

PS: If There Is a CBP Hold, Proceed with Caution

When CBP puts a hold on a container in order to review documents or inspect the cargo, they may contact the customs broker to request the physical document or documents, which are transmitted electronically. If the hold goes beyond a few days or a week, follow-ups are called for but discretion and wisdom is required on the part of the broker as CBP inspectors are generally swamped. 

“You could make a friendly phone call once or twice to inquire,” Rozek said. “But the unfortunate reality is that the process must play out on its own. If you owe them documentation, that's on you. But if you've submitted everything and it’s in order, you're not going to jump over the 20 containers in front of you. They’ll work at their pace.”  

In Customs Clearance Services, Experience Pays Off

Okay, so how long does customs clearance take?  As you can see from the information shared, the answer involves a complex dance of paperwork, regulatory compliance, and coordination in order to ensure a smooth, timely process. As there are multiple points of failure that can lead to costly delays, being aware of what levers to pull and when is an invaluable benefit.

At I.C.E. Transport, in addition to transportation, we’re a provider of customs clearance services with tens of thousands of shipments under our belt; that means we know all the ins and outs, the players, and the rules. This helps ensure that every import shipment we manage gets the most expedited import clearance process possible through the port of entry.

I.C.E. will guide you through the maze of obligations, including the complex tariff system, helping you avoid penalties and get your shipment out of port and on its way. For inland transportation, we have relationships with a broad network of traditional and specialist carriers, including out-of-gauge haulers, leveraging these strong relationships to get you the capacity you need with the best rates.

Want to find out more about how I.C.E. Transport can help manage your global shipments and speed the customs clearance process? Get in touch with us today.