What is CBP?
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the largest federal law enforcement agency in the United States and part of the Department of Homeland Security, created in 2003. For importers it is the authority that decides whether goods can enter the US market, how much duty is owed and whether a shipment is examined.
Most businesses deal with CBP indirectly, through a customs broker who files the customs entry and communicates with the agency on their behalf.
Core principle: CBP facilitates legitimate trade but enforces several mandates at once: security, revenue, intellectual property and product safety. Clean, consistent data is what keeps your shipments moving.
What CBP does for trade
1. Revenue collection
What it is: Assesses and collects duties, the Merchandise Processing Fee and the Harbor Maintenance Fee.
Why it matters: Duties and fees are a direct part of your landed cost.
2. Risk targeting
What it is: Screens advance data such as ISF and AMS filings to decide which shipments to release or examine.
Why it matters: New importers, inconsistent data and high-risk products are examined more often.
3. Examinations
What it is: X-ray scans, tail gate exams and intensive exams at a Centralised Examination Station.
Why it matters: Exams add days and costs that the importer pays.
4. Enforcement
What it is: Seizes counterfeit or prohibited goods, issues penalties for misdeclaration and audits entries after release.
Why it matters: Liability stays with the importer of record, not the supplier.
How to work well with CBP
- Make sure invoices, packing lists, ISF and entry data match exactly.
- Classify goods carefully (see HS code) and keep records for at least five years after entry.
- Consider trusted trader programmes such as CTPAT once volumes are significant.
- Follow policy changes. CBP has suspended the US$800 de minimis exemption for all countries since 29 August 2025, so low-value parcels now need entries and pay duty.
CBP vs EU customs
The EU has no single customs agency. Each Member State’s customs authority applies the Union Customs Code, using shared systems such as ICS2 for safety and security data. In the UK, HMRC and Border Force share the role.
Frequently asked questions
Is CBP the same as US Customs?
Yes. CBP is the modern name for the agency that combined the former US Customs Service with immigration and border functions in 2003.
Do I need to contact CBP directly when importing?
Usually not. Most importers use a licensed customs broker who files entries and handles CBP communication.
Can CBP examine my goods after release?
CBP can audit entries after release and, if information was wrong, demand additional duties or impose penalties.
Official site: U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
