(a) Single transaction bond application. In order to insure that the revenue is adequately protected, the port director may require a person who will be engaged in a single customs transaction relating to the importation or entry of merchandise to file a bond application. The single transaction bond application may be in the form of a letter filed with the Director, Revenue Division or the port director, or the application may be scanned and submitted to CBP as an email attachment or by fax. The application must identify the value and nature of the merchandise involved in the transaction to be secured. When the proper bond in a sufficient amount is filed with the entry summary or with the entry, or when the entry summary is filed at the time of entry, an application will not be required.

(b) Continuous bond application. To secure multiple transactions relating to the importation or entry of merchandise or the operation of a bonded smelting or refining warehouse, a continuous bond application must be submitted to the Director, Revenue Division. The continuous bond application may be in the form of a letter or it may be scanned and submitted to CBP as an email attachment or by facsimile (fax).

(1) Information required. The application must contain the following information:

(i) The general character of the merchandise to be entered; and

(ii) The total amount of ordinary customs duties (including any taxes required by law to be treated as duties), plus the estimated amount of any other tax or taxes on the merchandise to be collected by CBP, accruing on all merchandise imported by the principal during the calendar year preceding the date of the application. The total amount of duties and taxes will be that which would have been required to be deposited had the merchandise been entered for consumption even though some or all of the merchandise may have been entered under bond. If the value or nature of the merchandise to be imported will change in any material respect during the next year the change must be identified. If no imports were made during the calendar year prior to the application, a statement of the duties and taxes it is estimated will accrue on all importations during the current year shall be submitted.

(2) Application updates. If the Director, Revenue Division approves a bond based upon the application, whenever there is a significant change in the information provided under this paragraph, the principal on the bond must submit a new application containing an update of the information required by paragraph (b)(1) of this section. The new application must be filed no later than 30 days after the new facts become known to the principal.

(c) Certification. Any application submitted under this section must be signed by the applicant and contain the following certification:

(a) Single transaction bonds. Single transaction bonds will be approved by the Revenue Division or the director of the port where filed.

(b) Continuous bonds. Continuous bonds must be approved by the Revenue Division. Only one continuous bond for a particular activity will be authorized for each principal.

(a) Minimum amount of bond. The amount of any CBP bond must not be less than $100, except when the law or regulation expressly provides that a lesser amount may be taken. Fractional parts of a dollar will be disregarded in computing the amount of a bond. The bond always will be stated as the next highest dollar.

(b) Guidelines for determining amount of bond. In determining whether the amount of a bond is sufficient, CBP will consider:

(1) The prior record of the principal in timely payment of duties, taxes, and charges with respect to the transaction(s) involving such payments;

(2) The prior record of the principal in complying with CBP demands for redelivery, the obligation to hold unexamined merchandise intact, and other requirements relating to enforcement and administration of customs and other laws and CBP regulations;

(3) The value and nature of the merchandise involved in the transaction(s) to be secured;

(4) The degree and type of supervision that CBP will exercise over the transaction(s);

(5) The prior record of the principal in honoring bond commitments, including the payment of liquidated damages; and

(6) Any additional information contained in any application for a bond.

(c) Periodic review of bond sufficiency. CBP will periodically review each bond on file to determine whether the bond is adequate to protect the revenue and ensure compliance with applicable law and regulations. If CBP determines that a bond is inadequate, the principal and surety will be promptly notified in writing. The principal will have 15 days from the date of notification to remedy the deficiency. Notwithstanding the foregoing, where CBP determines that a bond is insufficient to adequately protect the revenue and ensure compliance with applicable law and regulations, CBP may provide written notice to the principal and surety that, upon receipt thereof, additional security in the form of cash deposit or single transaction bond may be required for any and all of the principal's transactions until the deficiency is remedied.

(d) Additional security. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section or any other provision of this chapter, if CBP believes that acceptance of a transaction secured by a continuous bond would place the revenue in jeopardy or otherwise hamper the enforcement of all applicable laws or regulations, CBP may immediately require additional security.

If CBP determines that none of the conditions contained in subpart G of this part is applicable to a transaction sought to be secured, the Director, Revenue Division, or the port director, as CBP deems appropriate, will draft conditions that cover the transaction. Before execution of the bond, the conditions must be submitted to Headquarters, Attention: Executive Director, Regulations and Rulings, Office of International Trade, for approval.

Except for bonds containing an agreement to pay court costs (condemned goods) (see § 113.72), and except as may otherwise be deemed appropriate by CBP, bonds that are approved by the port director will be retained at the port office and bonds that are approved by the Revenue Division (including bonds relating to repayment of erroneous drawback payments containing the conditions set forth in § 113.65) will be retained at the Revenue Division. The bond containing the agreement to pay court costs (condemned goods), will be transmitted to the United States attorney, as required by section 608, Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1608).