Five Clearance Disciplines.
Every Line Item Covered.
Tariff Classification
HTS Ch. 25–27, 68–70, 72–73Binding rulings, 6-digit HS binding to 10-digit HTS, classification audits on mixed-material building products. We resolve ambiguous classifications for composite cladding, engineered lumber, and reinforced glass before CBP flags the entry. Every classification is documented with ruling citations for audit defense.
ISF Filing
All ocean import entriesImporter Security Filing submitted no later than 24 hours before vessel departure. We pull bill of lading data from carriers, cross-reference shipper manifests, and file ISF 10+2 with CBP ACE. Late ISF penalties start at $5,000 per violation — our 99.1% on-time filing rate means that number stays theoretical for our clients.
FDA/EPA Compliance
HTS Ch. 68–70, 28, 39Prior Notice filings for construction adhesives and coatings subject to TSCA review. EPA TSCA import certification for chemical compounds in building materials. FDA detention response and admissibility documentation for products touching food-contact surfaces in commercial builds. We maintain current PGA (Partner Government Agency) compliance matrices for 40+ building material categories.
Demurrage Recovery
Post-clearance serviceDemurrage accrues at $150–$400/day per container. We audit carrier invoices against actual free time agreements, dispute wrongful charges with documented CBP examination timelines, and negotiate free time extensions when holds are CBP-initiated — not client-caused. Average recovery: $2,800 per disputed container.
Bonded Warehousing
CBP-approved facilitiesCBP-bonded storage at four port facilities for materials awaiting classification resolution, duty deferral, or project-phase delivery scheduling. Duty payment deferred until materials leave bond. Inventory tracked in ACE-integrated WMS with real-time lot visibility. Minimum dwell 48 hours; no maximum. Ideal for phased concrete pours and steel delivery sequencing.
What Procurement Managers
Actually Say.
“We had three containers of rebar sitting at Houston for nine days — CBP exam hold, carrier not communicating. Clearance filed the CF-28 response same afternoon, got us released in 18 hours. We avoided $12,400 in demurrage. That ROI calculation isn't complicated.”
“We import Portland cement from Veracruz every six weeks. Before Clearance, we were averaging 31 hours from vessel arrival to release. Now we're at 14. That's not a rounding error — that's a full pour cycle we've recaptured.”
“The ISF filing alone was worth switching. Our old broker was filing 12 hours before departure — we'd already had two $5,000 penalties in one quarter. Clearance has been filing at 36+ hours for two years. Zero penalties.”
Tell us your commodity.
We'll tell you your clearance window.
Bring your HTS heading, origin country, and destination port. In a 20-minute consultation, we'll confirm classification, estimate clearance time, and flag any PGA requirements your current broker may have missed.
No obligation. Response within 2 business hours.