An in-bond shipment is cargo that moves under customs control without being formally entered for consumption or having duties and taxes paid at the first point of arrival. In the United States, in-bond procedures allow imported goods to move from one port, bonded warehouse, foreign trade zone, or destination port to another before final clearance, export, or withdrawal. In-bond shipments help importers manage routing, defer duty payment, consolidate cargo, or move goods inland while keeping customs supervision intact. The customs bond guarantees that the cargo will arrive at its bonded destination where it will be formally entered or re-exported.
Types of In-Bond Movements
- Immediate Transportation (IT): moves cargo from the port of arrival to another port for formal entry
- Transportation and Exportation (T&E): moves cargo through the U.S. for re-export
- Immediate Exportation (IE): exports cargo from the port of arrival without entry
In-bond movements are tracked in CBP’s ACE system. Cargo that does not arrive at the bonded destination can result in bond liability for the carrier.
Related terms: Customs Entry, Bonded Goods.
