An in-bond shipment is imported cargo that moves through the United States under U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) custody before duties are paid and formal customs entry is completed. Rather than clearing customs at the first U.S. port it touches, the freight travels “in bond” to another port or an inland customs location, where it is finally entered for consumption, exported, or moved again.
For Miami importers, in-bond moves are common: a container can land at PortMiami and travel in bond to a bonded warehouse or to another port for re-export, deferring the duty event and giving the importer more time and flexibility.
The three types of in-bond entries
Immediate Transportation (IT)
An IT entry lets imported goods move from the port of arrival to another U.S. port, where the importer files the formal customs entry and pays duties. This is the most common type — for example, cargo arriving at PortMiami but cleared in Atlanta.
Transportation and Exportation (T&E)
A T&E entry moves foreign goods through the U.S. to a port where they will be exported to another country. The cargo never officially enters U.S. commerce, so no U.S. duties apply. This is heavily used in Miami’s role as a gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean.
Immediate Exportation (IE)
An IE entry covers goods that arrive and are exported from the same port without inland movement — useful for transshipment cargo that simply changes vessels.
How the in-bond process works
In-bond shipments are filed electronically through CBP’s Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), replacing the old paper CBP Form 7512. A bonded carrier — a trucker authorized to move cargo that has not yet cleared customs — transports the freight under the importer’s or carrier’s customs bond. CBP rules require the in-bond to be arrived and closed out within set reporting windows (generally a 30-day maximum transit time, with arrival and export reporting due within two business days).
Because the cargo has not cleared customs, only a customs bonded carrier can legally move it. Go Freight is a TSA-approved bonded carrier with 100+ owned trucks and its own chassis pool, so in-bond drayage from PortMiami and Port Everglades stays with one accountable, asset-based partner — no double brokering. See our drayage services.
Why importers use in-bond shipments
In-bond moves defer duty payment until the goods reach their final entry point, improve cash flow, support re-export and transshipment, and let importers consolidate clearance at a preferred customs location. For perishables and time-sensitive freight, AI gate-time prediction helps schedule the bonded move to avoid demurrage at the terminal.
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay duties on an in-bond shipment?
Not at the first port. Duties are paid when the goods are formally entered (IT) at the destination port. T&E and IE shipments that are exported never incur U.S. duties.
Who can transport in-bond cargo?
Only a CBP-bonded carrier holding the proper customs bond. Standard trucking companies cannot move uncleared, in-bond freight.
How long can cargo stay in bond?
CBP generally allows up to 30 days of in-bond transit, with arrival and export events reported within two business days through ACE.
Move in-bond freight without the headaches
Go Freight is an asset-based, AI-powered Miami 3PL and bonded carrier built for PortMiami and Port Everglades. Get a quote or call (786) 445-0150.