| ISF element<\/th>\n | Likely fact source<\/th>\n | Buyer or broker action<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n |
|---|---|---|
| Seller<\/td>\n | Sales contract or commercial records<\/td>\n | Confirm the seller identity used for this transaction<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Buyer<\/td>\n | Purchase and resale records<\/td>\n | Confirm the correct buyer name and address<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Importer of record \/ FTZ applicant number<\/td>\n | Importer or customs broker<\/td>\n | Provide the correct number through a secure channel; do not ask the factory to determine it<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Consignee number(s)<\/td>\n | Importer, consignee or broker<\/td>\n | Confirm who is identified for the shipment<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Manufacturer or supplier<\/td>\n | Factory or supplier records<\/td>\n | Confirm the relevant entity and address for each product line<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Ship-to party<\/td>\n | Buyer\u2019s receiving plan<\/td>\n | Confirm the first deliver-to party after customs release<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Country of origin<\/td>\n | Manufacturing and sourcing records; broker review<\/td>\n | Provide product-specific facts and have the importer\/broker apply U.S. origin rules<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Commodity HTSUS number<\/td>\n | Importer and customs broker<\/td>\n | Confirm classification and the filing level with the broker; do not treat a factory guess as a ruling<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Container stuffing location<\/td>\n | Party arranging or performing stuffing<\/td>\n | Obtain the actual physical location when known and pass it to the filer<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Consolidator (stuffer)<\/td>\n | Forwarder, consolidator or stuffing party<\/td>\n | Confirm the party that stuffed or arranged stuffing, as applicable<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n This is a coordination matrix, not legal advice about who is ultimately liable for every fact. The regulation defines the ISF importer and data elements. The buyer and licensed broker should decide who will file, what records support each value and how corrections will be made. A freight forwarder may coordinate data without being the importer\u2019s authorized filing agent; confirm the relationship and authorization explicitly.<\/p>\n When sending commercial identity or tax identifiers, use the buyer\u2019s approved secure process. Do not put EIN, SSN, CBP-assigned numbers or confidential customer details in an unprotected group chat or a general product RFQ.<\/p>\n For ordinary U.S.-bound ocean cargo, most of the ten importer data elements are due no later than 24 hours before the cargo is laden aboard the vessel at the foreign port. The container stuffing location and consolidator must be submitted as early as possible and no later than 24 hours before arrival at a U.S. port, or at lading if the voyage to the nearest U.S. port is less than 24 hours. Specific shipment exceptions and filing structures can change the analysis, so the broker should confirm the deadline for the actual booking.<\/p>\n Under 19 CFR 149.2, the first group includes seller, buyer, importer\/FTZ identifier and consignee number(s). The second group includes manufacturer or supplier, ship-to party, country of origin and commodity HTSUS. The regulation gives limited flexibility for the latter four: an importer may use best available data initially and must update as more precise or accurate information becomes available, within the stated time limits. Do not interpret this as permission to guess carelessly or ignore the broker\u2019s cutoff.<\/p>\n The stuffing location and consolidator often depend on the final logistics plan. Ask who will report them, when those details are expected, what backup escalation applies if the container plan changes, and who will transmit a correction. Record the broker\u2019s operational deadline earlier than the statutory cutoff when needed to allow review and filing time.<\/p>\n Rules can change, and certain shipment categories have different requirements. The official eCFR version checked for this article was current as of October 21, 2026; verify current law and CBP guidance with your customs broker before acting.<\/p>\n Ask the supplier for facts tied to the exact SKU, drawing or approved sample revision, and production route. A reusable request should not blur factory facts with customs determinations.<\/p>\n Useful factory-side details may include:<\/p>\n For a wire storage basket kit that includes separate screws or anchors sourced from another vendor, do not assume one supplier identity or origin answer covers every line. Give the broker accurate product and supply-chain facts, then ask how those facts should map to filing lines. The broker\/importer determines the filing treatment.<\/p>\n A factory\u2019s product description can help identify goods, but it is not an HTSUS classification. Similarly, a supplier\u2019s statement of manufacturing location is evidence input; the importer or broker must determine the legally applicable country-of-origin treatment. Do not copy classification or origin from a prior order without checking that product, construction, components and manufacturing facts match.<\/p>\n |
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