MIQ Knowledge Center

An Entry is the filing made with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to obtain authorization for imported cargo to be released from CBP custody and allowed to move within the United States. It focuses on cargo control and release, not final duty calculation or liquidation.

Common inputs include a commercial invoice, clear product descriptions, quantities/UOM, HTS classification, country of origin, value, importer/consignee identifiers, and transportation details. Some commodities also require PGA data (e.g., FDA/USDA).

An Entry Summary( CBP Form 7501) is the official customs declaration filed with CBP that finalizes the importation of goods into the United States.

• Reports classification, value, duty/taxes, and admissibility details.
• Serves as the basis for CBP accounting and compliance review.
• Typically filed after cargo arrival and cargo release, and can cover one or multiple shipments (waybills) under one Importer of Record and bond (depending on structure and entry type).
• Click the link to see more information about Entry Summary and Post Release Processes.

Multiple parties participate in the Entry Summary process, each with distinct roles:

• Importer of Record (IOR) – legally responsible to CBP for duties, taxes, and compliance.
• Customs Broker – licensed agent authorized to prepare/transmit the Entry Summary via ACE/ABI.
• Surety / Bond Provider – guarantees the importer’s financial obligations to CBP.
• Ultimate Consignee – final recipient of the goods, often reported at the shipment (waybill) level.
• Seller / Buyer / Manufacturer – used for valuation, origin, and enforcement.
• Freight Forwarder / NVOCC – issues house waybills and consolidates shipments.
• Carrier – files the cargo manifest and transports the goods.
• Partner Government Agencies (PGAs) – e.g., FDA, EPA, USDA, CPSC (when applicable).

While the IOR, bond, and entry number define the legal entry, other parties may vary by shipment within a consolidated Entry Summary.

High-level view of who creates which data, and how it flows into CBP filing and warehouse/CFS execution:

Typical timing windows (varies by mode, program, and exception handling):

To sell products around the world you will need to know your product’s Harmonized System or HS Code. The Harmonized System is recognized as the international product classification system for exports. This video will help you understand more about HS code.

An HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) code is a 10-digit import classification system used in the United States to categorize traded products, determine duty rates, and collect trade statistics. Managed by the US International Trade Commission, these codes are essential for customs compliance, with the first six digits aligning with international HS codes.

Yes—CBP allows tariff line aggregation when the key tariff attributes are identical. For system design, only merge items when these fields match:

• hts10 (10-digit HTS)
• country_of_origin(ISO Country Code)
• manufacturer_id (MID)
• spi_code (Special Program Indicator)
• duty_comp_code (base rate indicator)
• uom1, uom2 (units of quantity)
• pga_declare_flag (and any program codes that change required data)

Then aggregate totals like qty, entered_value, and dutiable_charges into the grouped tariff line.

In short: HTS lines can be merged only when HTS + COO + MID (and other key duty/PGA attributes) are identical; otherwise each unique combination must be a separate tariff line.

When multiple products share identical tariff attributes (HTS, country of origin, MID, SPI, UOM, rate, PGA flags), CBP allows grouping into one tariff line. Benefits:

Type 01 is a formal consumption entry used for many commercial imports. It’s common when CBP requires formal processing or when shipment details/commodities require a formal entry process.

Type 11 is an informal entry used for eligible shipments that can be processed through an informal workflow. Eligibility depends on CBP rules, commodity, shipment scenario, and value thresholds.

Here’s a quick comparison in a multi-product e-commerce context (high-level; eligibility depends on the shipment):

When developing your pricing strategy for an international buyer, you must understand foreign tariffs and how to determine the total export price. The most important factor is to establish the “landed” cost of the transaction. This video will help you determine the landed costs using both tariffs and taxes.

Besides import/export duties, shipments may be subject to U.S. government **user fees** and related charges. Common examples include:

MPF(Merchandise Processing Fee)

HMF(Harbor Maintenance Fee) for certain ocean freight

Other CBP user fees depending on mode/program and service (For CBP’s official list and amounts, see the CBP user fee table)

MPF applies once per Entry Summary, not per Cargo Release.

• If you consolidate multiple cargo releases under a single Entry Summary, you typically pay one MPF based on the total entered value of that summary.
• You pay multiple MPFs only if you file multiple Entry Summaries (each with a unique entry number).

Tariff stacking refers to the cumulative application of multiple U.S. trade duties on a single imported product. Instead of applying only one tariff, CBP may apply several tariffs sequentially, significantly increasing the total landed cost.

Tariffs that commonly stack include:

• Base HTS duty rate
• Section 301 (China trade remedies)
• Section 232 (Steel / Aluminum or Auto / Auto Parts)
• IEEPA / Reciprocal / Fentanyl-related tariffs
• Other special or retaliatory duties

Typical tariff stacking order (general guidance)

1. Section 232 – Automobiles / Auto Parts
   May override or replace other sector-specific tariffs when applicable.
2. Section 232 – Steel / Aluminum
   Applied to the metal content of goods.
3. Section 301 (China) or other special tariffs
   Applied when HTS and country of origin trigger them.
4. IEEPA / Reciprocal / Fentanyl-related tariffs
   Applied to specific countries when other remedies do not already apply.
5. Base HTS duty rate
   The underlying duty rate unless explicitly exempted.

Tariff stacking decision flow

Simplified illustration of how CBP evaluates overlapping tariff programs

MIQ Express validates data, standardizes workflows, and connects entry events with Warehouse/CFS operations and visibility—so teams can resolve exceptions earlier and keep cargo moving.

AMS, or the Automated Manifest System, was created by U.S. Customs (CBP). It is an electronic transmission system, for documentation, to U.S. Customs before cargo arrives in the U.S. It largely for security and efficiency purposes. It mainly coordinates information release between parties involved in international shipments, such as Sea Shipping Lines (SSLs), Airlines, Rail Carriers, etc.

Carrier (mandatory) Freight Forwarder (AMS Deconsolidator) Importer or its Broker (ABI: Automated Broker Interface) Express Consignment Facility

AMS must be filed 24 hours or more in advance to its departure from the last foreign port. Suppose you have a shipment coming from Hong Kong, through South Korea, to Seattle. Customs requires that AMS be filed with 24 hours advance to the cargo s departure from its last foreign port at South Korea.

In general, the Carrier is responsible for MAWB Data input, and the Agent (Departure Station) is responsible for HAWB Data input.

Air AMS Data should be sent no later than 4 hours before arrival of the first station in US territory. For MASkargo (Malaysia Airlines Berhad Cargo), the first departure station will be in charge of sending Air AMS data to CBP.

For each irregularity case per MAWB/HAWB, USD5,000 - USD 10,000 will be imposed to the Carrier. According to US DHS Regulation 122.48[c][3], the Carrier could seek re-compensation to the Agent. Cases subject to penalty: Omission of Transmission, Inaccurate Transmission, False Report Shipment of US Embargo items.

" A precise description of cargo, including weight and piece count. " Port where the cargo is loaded. " Last foreign port before the vessel departs for the U.S. " Vessel name, number, country of documentation, Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC), and voyage number. " Scheduled date of arrival at first U.S. port. " First foreign port where the carrier takes possession of cargo. " Hazardous material code. " Container number. " Container seal number -serial number of the last seal applied when the container is loaded

AMS Deconsolidator is a member of CBP that has acquired FIRMS code, and thus authorized to send House Data directly to CBP System. Carriers has no obligations to send House Data of AMS Deconsolidator. FIRMS stand for Facilities Information and Resources Management System

AMS Deconsolidators does not have to reveal internal classified information and can also receive prompt reply from CBP.

Here are a few common Air AMS/CBP scenario Q&As from your original FAQ:

How Could AWB Indicate the Cargo of AMS Deconsolidator?

On 'Handling Information of MAWB', the forwarder should input following data and submit; "HOUSE INFORMATION TRANSMITTED BY Y807" (If the FIRMS CODE is Y807). In the FWB Message, the FIRMS CODE is to be indicated in the OSI line of the message.

Since AMS Deconsolidator Does Not Display HAWB, What Is the Solution to Partial Shipment?

In general, Partial Shipment is prohibited in AMS Deconsolidator. In case of Partial shipment, the Deconsolidator should submit "CUSTOMS Pouch" containing following information to the Carrier (Pouch should be submitted with the AWB) HAWB (CONSOLIDATION) MANIFEST or HAWB Hard Copies Consolidation MFST per pallet: Submit HAWB information on SKID or BUC pallet ex. HAWB BAX11111/34PC-PMC1234KE/20PC, PMC2345KE/14PC

Does Air AMS Apply to The Cargo Via US Whose Final Destination Is Outside of US (Such as Canada)?

Yes. Any MH flight bound for a destination outside of LAX and EWR is subject to Air AMS based on FROB (Foreign Remaining On Board) regulations.

Is the AMS Participant Required to Transmit All the Alphanumeric Characters As Printed On The Paper Copy Of The House Air Waybill?

Yes. The AMS participant is required to report the full House Air Waybill identifier as printed on the hard copy document. This includes alpha characters preceding or contained within the house-level shipment identification.

If A Master Air Waybill Record Has Only A Single House Air Waybill, Is It Possible for The Carrier to Transmit as A Simple Air Waybill?

No. When a master air waybill references only one house air waybill, both the master air waybill and the house air waybill must be reported.

What Is the Proper Method of Entering Shipper and Consignee?

Consol MAWB: The Name & Address of Consolidator/Deconsolidator Single MAWB & HAWB: Actual Name & Address of SHIPPER/CONSIGNEE ex : Name of the Shipper: Up to 35 alphanumeric (including space) Street & Address: Up to 35 alphanumeric (including space) CITY, COUNTRY, TOWNSHIP: Up to 17 alphanumeric (including space) STATE: Up to 9 alphanumeric (including space) Abbreviation is accepted (ex. California - CA) COUNTRY CODE: 2 Letters only (number is not acceptable)

On 'Handling Information of MAWB', the forwarder should input following data and submit; "HOUSE INFORMATION TRANSMITTED BY Y807" (If the FIRMS CODE is Y807). In the FWB Message, the FIRMS CODE is to be indicated in the OSI line of the message.

In general, Partial Shipment is prohibited in AMS Deconsolidator. In case of Partial shipment, the Deconsolidator should submit "CUSTOMS Pouch" containing following information to the Carrier (Pouch should be submitted with the AWB) HAWB (CONSOLIDATION) MANIFEST or HAWB Hard Copies Consolidation MFST per pallet: Submit HAWB information on SKID or BUC pallet ex. HAWB BAX11111/34PC-PMC1234KE/20PC, PMC2345KE/14PC

Yes. Any MH flight bound for a destination outside of LAX and EWR is subject to Air AMS based on FROB (Foreign Remaining On Board) regulations.

Yes. The AMS participant is required to report the full House Air Waybill identifier as printed on the hard copy document. This includes alpha characters preceding or contained within the house-level shipment identification.

No. When a master air waybill references only one house air waybill, both the master air waybill and the house air waybill must be reported.

Consol MAWB: The Name & Address of Consolidator/Deconsolidator Single MAWB & HAWB: Actual Name & Address of SHIPPER/CONSIGNEE ex : Name of the Shipper: Up to 35 alphanumeric (including space) Street & Address: Up to 35 alphanumeric (including space) CITY, COUNTRY, TOWNSHIP: Up to 17 alphanumeric (including space) STATE: Up to 9 alphanumeric (including space) Abbreviation is accepted (ex. California - CA) COUNTRY CODE: 2 Letters only (number is not acceptable)

ISF is an importer security filing used for ocean shipments. It provides advance data to CBP for risk assessment before the container is loaded and arrives in the U.S.

Commonly before the vessel is loaded at the foreign port (many people refer to this as a 24-hour before loading requirement).

Party information (importer, seller, buyer, ship-to), container/booking details, manufacturer/supplier data, and commodity/HTS-level details depending on the filing approach.

MIQ helps collect standardized party/product data, validates formats, links data to the shipment record, and provides visibility when changes or corrections are needed.

Customs Bulletin and Decisions provides a weekly compilation of decisions, rulings, regulations, notices, and abstracts concerning customs and related matters of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and U.S. Court of International Trade.

CROSS is a searchable database of CBP rulings that can be retrieved based on simple or complex search characteristics using keywords and Boolean operators.

Requirements for Electronic Ruling Requests. The procedures under this rulings program apply to requests for binding classification rulings under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) and certain marking, origin, NAFTA and applicability of Trade Program rulings.

The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) sets out the tariff rates and statistical categories for all merchandise imported into the United States. The HTS is based on the international Harmonized System, which is the global system of nomenclature applied to most world trade in goods.

CBP has a number of Informed Compliance Publications (ICPs) in the "What Every Member of the Trade Community Should Know About: ..." series.

As an intellectual property right (IPR) owner, you can partner with CBP to receive border enforcement of your registered trademarks and copyrights through CBP’s e-Recordation Program.

The Intellectual Property Rights Search (IPRS) is a database containing public versions of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) intellectual property rights recordations.

This Encyclopedia is intended to provide guidance and information to the trade community.

CBP publishes several Directives and Handbooks, which provide guidance to the public on a variety of trade-related matters.

RLF builds on EIP and allows participants to file an electronic entry package for certain entry types from a location other than the port of arrival or the examination location.

These Dictionaries provide guidance and explanations for errors returned on electronic data submitted to CBP via ACE.