Import from Thailand to USA: Customs Bond & Broker Cost 2026
First-time US importers buying from Thailand almost always underestimate two line items: the customs bond and the broker fee. Neither is large, but getting the bond size wrong will stop your container at the port.
Single-entry vs continuous bond
| Single Entry Bond (SEB) | Continuous Bond | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ~$5–8 per ,000 of value+duty, min $50–75 | $500–700 per year |
| Covers | One entry | All entries, 12 months |
| Break-even | ~3–4 shipments per year | Anything above that |
| Bond amount | Entered value + duties + fees | 10% of prior 12 months duties, min $50,000 |
If you plan more than four containers a year from Laem Chabang, buy the continuous bond on day one.
Sizing a continuous bond correctly
CBP requires the bond to be at least 10% of duties, taxes and fees paid in the previous 12 months, with a $50,000 floor. With Section 301 exposure and higher 2026 duty rates on some Thai-origin lines, importers who grew fast are getting "insufficient bond" notices mid-year. Review your bond at every $500k of annual duty.
What a broker actually charges
Typical 2026 US brokerage pricing for a Thai ocean container:
- Entry filing: 25–175 per entry
- ISF filing: $40–65
- Each additional HTS line beyond 5: $6–10
- Single transaction bond (if applicable): $75–150
- ISF bond: $50–100
- Disbursement / duty advance fee: 1.5–3% of duty if you do not pay ACH direct
Total for a straightforward container: $250–400 plus duty. Anyone quoting $95 all-in is unbundling and will bill you later.
Save money with ACH direct pay
Set up periodic monthly statement (PMS) ACH with CBP. You pay duty directly on the 15th business day of the following month instead of letting your broker advance it. This kills the disbursement fee and improves cash flow by up to 40 days.
Do you need a broker at all?
Legally, no — an importer can self-file via ACE. Practically, unless you ship weekly with stable HTS codes, the compliance risk is not worth the
50. Use a broker and put your energy into supplier control instead. Our landed cost calculator will show you where the real money is.FAQ
How much is a US customs bond for a first shipment from Thailand?
For a $40,000 container with 5% duty, a single entry bond runs roughly $200–320. A continuous bond at $500–700/year is cheaper from the fourth shipment onward.
Who buys the bond — me or my broker?
Your broker usually arranges it through a surety, but the bond is in your name as importer of record.
Does the bond cover duty I owe?
It guarantees payment to CBP. If you default, the surety pays CBP and then collects from you. It is not insurance.
Can my Thai supplier be the importer of record?
Only via a foreign importer of record arrangement, which requires a US-based agent for service of process. Most US buyers should be IOR themselves.
What happens if my bond is insufficient?
CBP issues a bond insufficiency notice; entries can be rejected until you increase the bond. Allow 5–10 business days for a new bond to take effect.