An ISF filing, formally the Importer Security Filing and commonly called 10+2, is a set of data elements that importers (or their agents) must submit to U.S. Customs and Border Protection at least 24 hours before ocean cargo is loaded onto a vessel headed for the United States. It applies only to goods arriving by ocean, and missing or late filings can cost $5,000 per violation.
If you import containers through PortMiami or Port Everglades, the ISF is one of the first compliance steps in your shipment’s life, completed well before the box ever reaches Florida.
Why does the ISF exist?
CBP introduced the ISF rule in 2009 to improve cargo security and risk targeting. By collecting key supply-chain data before a vessel departs the foreign port, CBP can screen for high-risk shipments while they are still overseas rather than after they arrive on U.S. soil.
What does “10+2” mean?
The nickname refers to the data elements involved: 10 from the importer and 2 from the carrier.
The 10 importer data elements
- Manufacturer (or supplier) name and address
- Seller name and address
- Buyer name and address
- Ship-to name and address
- Container stuffing location
- Consolidator (stuffer) name and address
- Importer of record number
- Consignee number(s)
- Country of origin
- Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) number
The 2 carrier data elements
- Vessel stow plan
- Container status messages
When is the ISF due?
The 10 importer elements must be filed no later than 24 hours before the cargo is laden aboard the vessel at the foreign port. The carrier elements have later deadlines tied to vessel departure and arrival. Because the deadline is keyed to loading abroad, importers need supplier and booking details early, not when the ship is approaching Miami.
What happens if you file late or not at all?
CBP can assess liquidated damages of $5,000 per late, inaccurate, or missing ISF, up to $10,000 per shipment when combined violations occur. Beyond fines, non-compliant containers face a higher likelihood of holds and exams, which delay clearance and push boxes into demurrage and detention. Repeated violations can also flag an importer for increased scrutiny.
Who files the ISF?
The importer of record is legally responsible, but most importers authorize a customs broker or freight forwarder to file on their behalf. Accurate ISF data depends on tight coordination with overseas suppliers, so importers who build that information flow early tend to clear faster.
How the ISF connects to your Miami drayage plan
A clean ISF reduces the chance of a hold, which means the container is more likely to be available for pickup the moment the vessel discharges. That is where having an asset-based carrier matters. Go Freight runs 100+ company-owned trucks and its own chassis pool, and uses AI gate-time prediction at PortMiami and Port Everglades to schedule pickups around terminal congestion. When your drayage provider is ready to move the instant the box clears, a compliant ISF translates directly into lower demurrage risk.
Frequently asked questions
Does the ISF apply to air freight?
No. The Importer Security Filing applies only to cargo arriving by ocean vessel. Air shipments have separate advance-data requirements.
Is the ISF the same as a customs entry?
No. The ISF is a pre-arrival security filing submitted before loading. The customs entry is filed around arrival to release the goods and pay duties. Both are required for ocean imports.
Can I amend an ISF after filing?
Yes. ISF filings can be updated as information changes, and they should be kept accurate up to arrival. Filing early and amending as needed is better than filing late.
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