Skip to main content

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  1. Home
  2. Trade
  3. Programs and Administration
  4. Entry Summary and Post Release Processes

Entry Summary and Post Release Processes

What is Entry Summary?

"Entry Summary" refers to the documentation necessary to enable U.S. Customs and Border Protection to assess duties, collect statistics, and determine whether other requirements of law have been met.

A CBP Customs Declaration Form with "The Entry Process" in text on top of the image.

 

  1. Contact CBP

    Contact CBP at the port of entry to make the arrangement where the consignment will arrive, and documentation and duties will be filed.

  2. Declare Entry

    Declare entry for goods once they arrive in the U.S. The importer must declare how the goods will be entered once they arrive.

  3. File Cargo Release

    Upon entering the U.S., the importer of record has up to 15 days to file a Cargo Release for the goods. Entry documents must be filed within 15 calendar days of the date that a shipment arrives.

  4. File Entry Summary

    An entry summary (CBP Form 7501) must be filed within 10 days of the cargo's release from CBP custody. An entry summary must be filed and estimated duties deposited within 10 working days after entry of the merchandise.

  5. Pay Estimated Duties

    Within 10 days of the release of the cargo, the importer must pay the estimated duties on their imported goods. This is an estimated amount the importer pays at the time the goods arrive in the U.S.

Last Modified: Oct 18, 2024