What Is a Continuous Bond?
A continuous bond is a financial guarantee commonly used in 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:international trade that renews auto🦹matically until it is canceled. Continuous bonds do not exp💯ire as long as the client makes the required payment for each renewal.
This can be contrasted with tra✨ditional (term) bonds that feature an expi🍰ration or maturity date.
Key Takeaways
- Continuous bonds are financial agreements with legally binding terms that renew automatically for an unspecified period of time.
- Continuous bonds are often seen in international trade and commerce, covering ongoing shipments received at ports of entry.
- The $50,000 continuous import bond is the most common instance found in the United States, which requires up to 10 days to be put in place.
How Continuous Bonds Work
Continuous bonds are used as customs bonds, 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:airport security bonds, importer security filing bonds, and intellectuaไl property rights bonds.
A continuous bond can be used for an annual period and covers the ongoi✨ng shipment of imports within that year. There are three parties involved in this bond—the surety company that issues the bond, the principal (importer) who is req꧒uired to file the bond, and the CBP.
Th🐲e continuous bond is automatically renewed every year if it is not canceled unless it is terminated by one of the three parties involved. This bond is an option for importers who bring goods into the U.S. on a frequent or regular basis. Furthermor💙e, the bond can be used by multiple customs brokers in cases in which an importer uses different trade brokers in different U.S. markets.
The opposite of a continuous bond is a 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:term bond, single entry bond, or single transaction bond. A single transaction bond covers only one import shipment. This bond covers only the entry or transaction for which it was🍸 writt💮en and it is filed at the specific port where the entry will be made. A bond that is not continuous may be renewed using a continuation certificate.
Important
In the U.S., Customs bonds are required for any commercial shipment valued over $2,500. The minimum bond amount is $50,000.
Examples of Continuous Bonds
In the United States, any number of insurance or surety companies may sell continuous bonds under standardized terms established by the government. The Revenue Division of the U.S. CBP agency approves continuous bond submissions. Information stated on the bond and rider (if applicable) should include the bond amount, principal name, importer name, importer number, an⛎d CBP-assigned n♔umber. The bond can be used at any port of entry.
The $50,000 continuous import bond is the most common in the U.S. and requires up to 10 days to be put in place. The continuous import bond is a type of customs bond—a bond that guarantees the U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) that the importer will make good on its payment.
If the importer fails to make its payments, the CBP can file a claim against the bond from the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:surety company that guaranteed payment. In most cases, the amount of the bond must be at least 10% of the total duties and taxes paid to CBP annually at a minimum of $50,000. This means that the duties, taxes, fines, and penalties that the surety company will cover within each one-year bond term is $50,000.
What Is a Continuously Callable Bond?
In finance, a callable bond is a bond whose issuer can choose to repay the principal before the maturity date—often at monthly, quarterly, or annual intervals. A bond is "continuously callable" if the borrower can choose to repay it at any time. Bond investors should be aware of early repayment risk when they buy callable bonds.
What Is the Difference Between a Single and a Continuous Bond?
Customs authorities require importers to pay a surety bond as a guarantee that the importer will pay all taxes and duties promptly. A single entry bond is suitable for one-time shipments, with the bond terminating within a fixed period of time. For importers who regularly bring goods through customs, a continuous bond would provide better long-term coverage without the need for renewal.
How Much Is a Continuous Bond?
It costs around $250 to $350 per year for a continuous bond providing $50,000 of coverage, the minimum permitted under U.S. customs rules. For example, D.B. Schenker charges $245 for a one-year continuous bond (or $216 per year for a three-year bond).
The Bottom Line
In the world of imports and exports, surety bonds provide a guarantee that an importer will pay the obligations associated with a shipment. While single entry bonds are more affordable on a one-time basis, the costs also add up. A continuous bond allows importers to continue moving products without the trouble of renewing their obligations.