CBP Form 3461, the Customs Release, is a form submitted to U.S. Customs by a given shipment’s nominated customs broker which is intended to do one of two things:
- Release the shipment, giving it the official green light for entry into the U.S. and subsequently, final delivery.
- Designate the shipment for further customs examination.
After release, the customs broker has 10 days to file the Customs Entry (7501.)
CBP Form 7501, the Customs Entry, is another form submitted to U.S. Customs by the shipment’s customs broker. It is used to calculate duties and provide detailed information to CBP on the goods entering the country. Duty payment must be submitted with this form, following the Customs Release.
Both forms and the funds for your duties are submitted electronically, unless you’re set up for ACH payments directly with U.S. Customs.