Customs Bonds: Single Entry vs. Continuous for Florida Importers (2026)

Every commercial import into the United States must be covered by a customs bond. Florida importers choose between a single entry bond, which covers one shipment, and a continuous bond, which covers all entries at every U.S. port for a year. The rule of thumb in 2026: if you import more than three or four ocean shipments a year — or any ocean shipment that needs an ISF filing — a continuous bond is almost always cheaper and simpler.

What a customs bond actually does

A customs bond is a financial guarantee to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that duties, taxes, and fees will be paid and that you will comply with import regulations. It is issued by a surety company, usually arranged through your customs broker. Without a valid bond, CBP will not release commercial cargo. Our U.S. customs services team coordinates bonds alongside brokerage for Miami importers.

Single entry bonds

A single transaction bond (STB) covers one entry at one port. The bond amount is generally the cargo value plus duties, taxes, and fees. For ocean shipments, you also need a separate ISF bond to cover the Importer Security Filing, which adds cost. STBs make sense for one-off or very infrequent imports — a single trade-show shipment, a sample order, or a first trial import.

Continuous bonds

A continuous bond renews annually and covers every entry you make at any U.S. port, plus your ISF filings — no separate ISF bond needed. The minimum bond amount is $50,000, and CBP sizes it at roughly 10% of the duties, taxes, and fees you paid over the previous 12 months, rounded up. With 2025–2026 tariff levels pushing duty bills higher, many Florida importers have seen CBP demand larger bonds (“insufficiency” notices) — review your bond size before renewal if your duty spend jumped. Annual premiums for a $50,000 bond typically run a few hundred dollars.

Which should a Florida importer choose?

Choose a continuous bond if you: import several times a year; ship ocean freight (ISF coverage is included); import high-duty goods where STB pricing balloons; or clear at multiple ports (PortMiami, Port Everglades, MIA airport). Stick with single entry if you import once or twice a year with low values and no ocean ISF. When in doubt, run the math — three or four STBs with ISF bonds usually cost more than one continuous bond. Tariff changes also matter: see our overview of 2026 customs brokerage and tariff updates and how duty drawback can recover some of what you pay.

How Go Freight helps

From our Miami headquarters at 3300 NW 110 St, Miami, FL 33167, Go Freight arranges continuous and single entry bonds through licensed brokers, files ISF, and clears cargo at South Florida ports — then stores, transloads, or delivers it from our own warehouse.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a continuous customs bond cost in 2026?

The minimum $50,000 continuous bond typically costs a few hundred dollars per year from the surety, depending on the importer’s profile. Higher bond amounts — required when your annual duties exceed about $500,000 — scale up from there.

Does a continuous bond cover ISF filings?

Yes. A continuous bond covers Importer Security Filing (ISF 10+2) obligations for ocean shipments, so you don’t need a separate ISF bond the way single entry filers do.

What happens if my bond is insufficient?

CBP issues an insufficiency notice and can reject new entries until you post a larger bond. This has become common as tariffs raise duty bills, so review bond sizing with your broker each year.

Need a bond plus a Miami warehouse behind it? Get a quote at go-freight.io/quote or call (786) 445-0150.