What is the Difference between CBP Form 3461 and 7501?
If you are new to importing or an experienced importer, you will have likely come across two forms when your licensed customs house broker (CHB) has submitted your shipment to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for customs clearance purposes. When importing your cargo into the U.S., complete information must be provided when filling out these forms in order to avoid any issues with the clearance of your goods. In most cases, your CHB will handle this entire process for you once you authorize them with a Power of Attorney (POA). But you, as the Importer of Record (IOR) are still responsible for all duties/taxes/customs inspection fees and any related charges or penalties that arise from your imported shipment. It is highly recommended to use a licensed CHB to submit customs entry and customs release to CBP.
There are two major forms when submitting a customs entry: the Customs Release (CBP Form 3461) and the Customs Entry (CBP Form 7501).
CBP Form 3461 (Customs Release)
This is the document that is first submitted to CBP. Sometimes CBP requests a hard copy of the 3461 as well as other shipping documents to review the shipment. CBP will either sign off on this shipment, releasing it so you can proceed with the 7501 or marking it for exam. After release, you or the CHB has ten days to file the more detailed Entry Summary. CBP has created a step-by-step guide to filling out the 3461 which can be found here. If you are using a CHB, you do not need to worry about this.
CBP Form 7501 (Customs Entry Summary)
In order to properly report the cargo that has entered the U.S. and pay duties, taxes, and related fees, the “Entry Summary,” must be filed. It is essentially used to determine relevant information (e.g., appraisement, classification, origin, etc.) regarding the imported commodity or commodities.
To view a step-by-step guide on filling out this form and its 43 data elements, please click here. If you are using a CHB, you do not need to worry about this.
Your payment must follow with the form. If you choose to use us to arrange customs clearance, our CHB’s will submit both forms and funds for your duty electronically.
We prefer you to be setup with CBP to pay your duties/taxes/fees directly through ACH. To get setup with ACH Debits through CBP and learn more about it, please click here and to download the CBP 400 application, click here. You can also get setup with Periodic Monthly Statements (PMS) in order to pay your duties on a period basis for high volume importers. Please click here to download the PMS application.
You can search for all CBP Forms by clicking here and entering the form name or number.
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