CBP entry types are the classification system U.S. Customs and Border Protection uses to determine how every import shipment is processed, assessed, and released into U.S. commerce. Choosing the wrong entry type — or not understanding what your shipment requires — leads to delayed cargo, unexpected duties, and potential penalties under federal law.
This guide explains every major CBP entry type, how the filing process works, which entry applies to which shipment scenario, and where importers routinely make mistakes.
What Is a CBP Entry Type?
CBP Entry Type: A two-digit numeric code assigned to every import filing that tells U.S. Customs and Border Protection how to process, classify, and assess duties on a shipment — determining what forms are required, whether a surety bond is needed, and how the goods may be used once released.
CBP administers entry types under the authority of 19 USC 1484, which requires the importer of record to make entry for all commercial merchandise arriving in the United States. The specific procedural rules governing each entry type are codified in 19 CFR Part 141 (entry of merchandise) and 19 CFR Part 142 (entry process).
Every formal entry filed in the United States goes through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), the CBP system of record for all trade filings. As of 2023, ACE processes more than 36 million entry summaries per year, according to CBP’s trade statistics. Getting the entry type right at the start of that process is not a formality — it is a legal obligation.
The Major CBP Entry Types
CBP recognizes more than a dozen distinct entry types. The ones below cover the vast majority of commercial import scenarios. Knowing which applies to your shipment is the first decision you or your licensed customs broker must make before filing.
Entry Type 01 — Formal Consumption Entry
This is the standard entry for commercial merchandise valued above $2,500 that is being imported for sale or use in U.S. commerce. It requires a CBP Form 7501 (Entry Summary), a commercial invoice, a packing list, a bill of lading or airway bill, and — for most shipments — a surety bond. The importer of record is fully assessed for all applicable duties, taxes, and fees.
Entry Type 11 — Informal Entry
For commercial shipments valued at $2,500 or less that are not subject to quota or antidumping/countervailing duty (AD/CVD) orders. Informal entries do not require a surety bond, and the process is simplified. However, CBP retains authority to require a formal entry for any shipment regardless of value if partner government agency requirements apply.
Entry Type 02 — Formal Consumption Entry (Quota)
Used when imported merchandise is subject to an absolute or tariff-rate quota. Quota entries require additional documentation and may involve waiting periods or quantity restrictions enforced under 19 CFR Part 132. Textile and apparel imports frequently require this entry type.
Entry Type 06 — Free Trade Zone (FTZ) Admission
Merchandise admitted into a U.S. Foreign Trade Zone does not immediately enter U.S. commerce and therefore does not immediately trigger duty liability. Entry Type 06 is used to formally admit goods into an FTZ, where they may be stored, manipulated, or manufactured before either being entered for consumption (triggering duties) or exported without duty payment. CBP administers FTZs under 19 CFR Part 146.
Entry Type 21 — Temporary Import Bond (TIB)
A TIB allows merchandise to enter the United States temporarily and duty-free, provided it will be re-exported within a specified period — typically one year, extendable to three years. Merchandise covered under a TIB cannot be used domestically for productive purpose. Common uses include trade show samples, tools and equipment brought in by foreign contractors, and goods for testing or repair. TIBs are governed by 19 CFR Part 10.
Entry Type 23 — Temporary Importation Under Bond (Transportation and Exportation)
This entry type covers goods arriving at a U.S. port that will be transported in-bond to another U.S. port for export — passing through U.S. territory without entering commerce. A surety bond ensures the goods exit the country rather than being diverted.
Entry Type 31 — Warehouse Entry
Allows imported merchandise to be placed in a CBP-bonded warehouse rather than immediately entering U.S. commerce. Duties are deferred until the goods are withdrawn for consumption (Entry Type 32). Warehouse entries are useful when an importer needs time to sell goods, wait for a quota period to open, or manage cash flow around duty payments. The bonded warehouse must be approved under 19 CFR Part 19.
Entry Type 52 — Government Importations
Used for merchandise imported by, or on behalf of, U.S. federal, state, or local government entities that qualify for duty-free treatment under applicable statutes. Documentation requirements vary by agency.
CBP Entry Type Comparison Table
| Entry Type | Code | Value Threshold | Bond Required | Duty Payment Timing | Common Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formal Consumption | 01 | Over $2,500 | Yes | At entry summary | Standard commercial imports |
| Informal Entry | 11 | $2,500 or less | No | At time of entry | Low-value commercial shipments |
| Quota Entry | 02 | Any value | Yes | At entry summary | Textiles, apparel, quota goods |
| FTZ Admission | 06 | Any value | Yes (FTZ bond) | Deferred to withdrawal | Manufacturing, storage in FTZ |
| Temporary Import Bond | 21 | Any value | Yes (TIB bond) | None if re-exported | Trade samples, contractor tools |
| Warehouse Entry | 31 | Any value | Yes | Deferred to withdrawal | Duty deferral, cash flow management |
| T&E (In-Bond Transit) | 23 | Any value | Yes | None (goods exit U.S.) | Goods transiting to another port |
| Government Import | 52 | Any value | Varies | Duty-free (qualified) | Federal/state agency imports |
How the CBP Entry Process Works
The entry process follows a defined sequence for most formal entries. A licensed customs broker typically manages this process on behalf of the importer.
Step 1 — Shipment Arrival Notice The carrier notifies CBP of the incoming shipment via an Advance Cargo Manifest (ACM), required 24 hours before loading for ocean freight under CBP’s 24-Hour Rule (19 CFR 4.7b).
Step 2 — Entry Filing The importer of record or their broker files entry documents in ACE — including the entry type code, HTS classification, declared value, and country of origin. Entries may be pre-filed up to 10 days before arrival.
Step 3 — CBP Review and Exam Decision CBP’s Automated Targeting System (ATS) analyzes the filing for risk. Most entries receive a “Release” without physical examination. A small percentage — CBP does not publish the exact rate, but estimates from the trade community suggest roughly 3–5% of entries are selected for exam — receive a hold for documentary review or physical inspection.
Step 4 — Release CBP issues a cargo release, and the goods may move from the port. For informal entries, release and duty payment often happen simultaneously. For formal entries, release precedes final duty payment.
Step 5 — Entry Summary Filing (CBP Form 7501) The importer has 10 working days after release to file the entry summary and pay all applicable duties, fees, and taxes. The Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) is assessed at 0.3464% of declared value, with a minimum of $31.67 and a maximum of $614.35 (2024 CBP fee schedule).
Step 6 — Liquidation CBP has up to one year from entry to liquidate — finalize the duty assessment. If CBP disagrees with the declared value, classification, or duty rate, it may issue a bill for additional duties. Importers may protest a liquidation decision under 19 USC 1514 within 180 days.
Legal Framework: Key Regulations Governing Entry Types
Understanding the regulatory backbone helps importers and compliance teams interpret CBP guidance accurately. Key authorities include:
- 19 USC 1484 — The foundational statute requiring that every importer of record make entry for merchandise and take responsibility for accuracy of the entry.
- 19 CFR Part 141 — Entry of merchandise: who may make entry, what documents are required, time limits.
- 19 CFR Part 142 — Entry process procedures including pre-arrival processing and entry summary deadlines.
- 19 CFR Part 10 — Provisions governing free and reduced-duty merchandise, including TIB procedures.
- 19 CFR Part 19 — Regulations governing bonded warehouses and FTZ-adjacent storage.
- 19 CFR Part 132 — Quotas: how tariff-rate and absolute quotas are administered.
- 19 CFR Part 172 — Liquidated damages: penalties for bond violations, including failure to re-export TIB merchandise on time.
For binding guidance on how CBP will classify or treat specific merchandise, importers can request a Binding Ruling through rulings.cbp.gov. CBP is obligated to apply the ruling consistently once issued.
If your goods are subject to antidumping or countervailing duty orders — which apply to specific products from specific countries and require an Entry Type 01 regardless of value — you can check the active orders at enforcement.trade.gov/adcvd.
Real-World Scenarios: Which Entry Type Applies?
Scenario 1 — E-commerce seller importing electronics from China A small business importing 500 units of Bluetooth speakers valued at $8,000 FOB. Value exceeds $2,500; goods are subject to Section 301 tariffs. Required: Entry Type 01 (Formal Consumption Entry). A customs broker will classify the goods under hts.usitc.gov, calculate duties including the Section 301 additional tariff rate, and file the entry summary within 10 days of release.
Scenario 2 — Machinery importer bringing equipment for a trade show A German manufacturer sends $40,000 worth of industrial equipment to a U.S. trade show. The equipment will be demonstrated and returned to Germany within 60 days. Required: Entry Type 21 (TIB). The importer posts a bond equal to twice the estimated duties. No duties are paid if the goods are re-exported on time. Failure to re-export triggers liquidated damages equal to the bond amount under 19 CFR Part 172.
Scenario 3 — Apparel importer managing quota A textile company importing cotton shirts from Bangladesh where quota limits apply. Required: Entry Type 02 (Formal Consumption Entry — Quota). The entry must be filed with quota documentation, and goods may be held if the quota is filled. Brokers monitoring this scenario can browse ports with textile and apparel expertise to find specialists.
Scenario 4 — Pharmaceutical manufacturer using an FTZ A drug manufacturer imports active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) into an FTZ for blending and repackaging before distribution. Required: Entry Type 06 (FTZ Admission) at arrival, followed by Entry Type 01 at withdrawal for consumption. Duty is assessed on the finished product’s value and classification at withdrawal — often at a lower rate than the raw ingredient. Importers in this category should find brokers with pharmaceutical specialty experience.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
Mistake 1 — Assuming informal entry applies to anything under $2,500 The $2,500 threshold for informal entry is a floor, not a blanket rule. Goods subject to AD/CVD orders, quota, FDA import alerts, USDA permits, or EPA regulations require a formal entry regardless of value. Importers who discover this after the fact face delays and potential penalties.
Mistake 2 — Missing the 10-day entry summary deadline CBP releases cargo before final duty payment, but that is not the end of the process. The entry summary (CBP Form 7501) must be filed within 10 working days of release. Missing this deadline creates a bond violation and can trigger liquidated damages.
Mistake 3 — Treating a TIB as a long-term duty deferral strategy TIBs are for temporary importations, not a mechanism to indefinitely defer duties. CBP enforces re-export deadlines, and failure to re-export — or failure to document re-export properly — results in damages equal to double the estimated duty. Importers using TIBs for tools or samples should track deadlines carefully.
Mistake 4 — Not recognizing when goods require partner government agency clearance CBP is not the only agency that controls imports. The FDA, USDA, EPA, ATF