Master the CBP 7512: The Essential Guide to In-Bond Entry Preparation
- Import Automation Team
- Mar 4
- 5 min read
Navigating the complexities of international trade requires precision, especially when moving merchandise "in-bond." Whether you are a customhouse broker, a bonded carrier, or an importer, the Customs Form (CF) 7512 is your primary tool for ensuring compliance and maintaining the security of the U.S. supply chain.
According to CBP Directive 3240-036A, accurate data input into the automated in-bond system is mandatory before merchandise is allowed to proceed. Failure to prepare the form correctly can lead to document rejection and costly delays.
Below is the definitive, field-by-field guide for preparing the CF 7512.
CBP Form 7512 Field-by-Field Instructions
Item 1 - "Entry Number, Port and Date" Whenever merchandise, which has been entered previously (in-bond, consumption, warehouse, etc.), is entered for any type of in-bond entry, the immediately preceding entry information must be supplied with the date of that entry. The standard HTSUS Schedule D port code is used instead of the port name.
Item 2 - "Entry Number and Class of Entry" The in-bond serial number (9-digit number assigned by blocks by local CBP port) and the entry class code (61, 62, 63) must be recorded in this area with the approved abbreviation for the entry type (IT, T&E, IE, WDTE etc). Immediately below the box containing this information, show the appropriate foreign entry number with foreign document type (such as "Pedimento") when required.
Item 3 - "District/Port Code No." The district/port code shown in the HTSUS Schedule D must be used for the port where the in-bond entry is being presented.
Item 4 - "First U.S. Port of Unlading" The "first U.S. port of unlading" is the first U.S. port of arrival from foreign, where the merchandise is off-loaded from the importing carrier.
Item 5 - "Port of" This is the name of the port corresponding to the port code in Item 3 where the in-bond entry is being presented.
Item 6 - "Date" This is the date of entry preparation. Since an in-bond entry can be prepared before the date of entry presentation and/or acceptance and prior to the actual arrival of the importing conveyance, this date should not be used for duty assessment purposes.
Item 7 - "Entered or Imported By" "Entered or imported by" identifies the party who imported the merchandise (importer or consignee) or the party who presents the in-bond entry to CBP if other than the importer or consignee. This could be the importing carrier or the bonded carrier or a Customhouse broker acting as the agent for the importer, consignee, importing carrier, or the bonded carrier. The person signing Item 30 "entered or withdrawn by" must be an authorized agent or employee of the party shown in this item. This party's Name, Address, City, State and appropriate identification numbers should be included in the spaces provided.
Item 8 - "In-Bond Via" This designates the bonded carrier who will be liable for the proper movement, handling, and safekeeping of the merchandise once the in-bond movement is initiated. The bonded carrier's Importer/IRS number and name shall be included on this line. If the person making entry is not the bonded carrier shown in this block, the person making entry must be an authorized agent and present on demand, proof of it from the carrier.
Item 9 - "District Director of Customs at" or "Customs Port Director" This item identifies the intended destination port. Unless there are restrictions or prohibitions on diversion an in-bond shipment may be diverted to any CBP port without prior CBP permission.
Item 10 - "Final Foreign Destination" "Final foreign destination" must be completed for all exportation entries. At a minimum, the destination shown on the commercial shipping documents (bills of lading or air waybills) must be shown. The 5-digit Schedule K or "Special K" code (for Mexico and Canada) and the name of corresponding foreign destination shall be placed here.
Item 11 - "Consignee" This should identify the consignee named on the bill of lading, air waybill, invoice, etc. The name and address of the consignee shall appear in this space.
Items 12 through 18 - "Manifest Information" The information provided here serves to identify the shipment in terms of the inward foreign manifest of the importing carrier. This information is mandatory if the shipment was originally imported by vessel.
Item 19 - "Exported From" If the country of exportation is different from the "foreign port of lading" (Item 12) and this information is available to the party preparing the entry (Item 7), it should be shown. Otherwise, the country of foreign port of lading should be shown.
Item 20 - "Exportation Date" This is the date the shipment was exported from the foreign port of lading.
Item 21 - "Goods Now At" The actual location of the goods at the origin port must be shown. This information should include the FIRMS code when applicable.
Item 22 - "Marks and Numbers" This is a listing with sufficient exactness to serve the legitimate needs of CBP. For containerized shipments, the container number and the commercial seal number must also be shown.
Item 23 - "Description and Quantity" For all in-bond shipments, quantities must be shown in terms of the smallest external packaging unit. Any intermediate packaging involved (e.g. unit load devices, containers, pallets, etc.) must also be shown (example: 144 cartons on 12 pallets). Terms such as "general merchandise", "Freight All Kinds" or "FAK" are not acceptable.
Item 24 - "Gross Weight" Gross weight can be shown in either pounds or kilograms and must be identified as pounds (1) or kilograms (k).
Item 25 - "Value" Actual value information is to be supplied, except when it is not readily available to the party preparing the entry (Item 7). In this case, estimated value information may be used and must be indicated as estimation.
Items 26 and 27 - "Rate" and "Duty" Duty rate and duty amount must be supplied for all types of in-bond warehouse withdrawals. It is not required for any other type of in-bond entry.
Item 28 - Open Area This is a free-form area for recording all additional information for which there is no specific block on the form itself. All special conditions affecting a specific in-bond entry shall be recorded here.
Item 29 - "G.O. Number" When merchandise, which is unentered, is withdrawn from General Order, the General Order ledger number would be supplied in this item.
Item 30 - "Entered or Withdrawn By" This item records the signature of the authorized agent for the party identified in Item 7.
Item 31 - "For the District Director" or "For the Port Director" This item records the acceptance of the in-bond document as an entry by CBP.
Items 32 and 33 - "Attorney or Agent of Carrier" This records the signature of the authorized agent of the bonded carrier identified in Item 8.
Item 34 - "Port" The U.S. destination and/or exportation port is recorded here.
Item 35 - "Seal Numbers" CBP in-bond seal numbers, commercial seal numbers, or other Federal agency seal numbers are recorded here.
Items 36 and 37 - "Inspector" and "Date" The signature of the CBP officer who authorizes the initiation of the in-bond movement and the date of this authorization are recorded here.
Items 38 through 42 - "Export Verification" Completion of these items by the appropriate CBP officer serves as certification of export reporting by the carrier.
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