Methodology
This dataset comprises 2,427 US customs entries filed by Williamsburg Customs Brokerage between January 1, 2023 and October 10, 2025. All entries were for commercial importations into the United States via ocean or air freight.
Inclusion criteria:
- Formal entries and Section 321 (Type 86) entries included
- Ports: NY/NJ, LA/LB, Savannah, Houston, Miami, Seattle, Chicago O'Hare
- Modes: Ocean freight (FCL/LCL) and air freight only
- Commodity types: Apparel, electronics, machinery, consumer goods, cosmetics, food products
Exclusions: In-bond movements, AMS-only transmissions, courier/express consignment entries (UPS, FedEx, DHL)
Average Clearance Timeline by Port & Mode
Time measured from entry filing to release notification (CBP Form 3461 filed → cargo release). Does not include dwell time after release or last free day considerations.
| Port | Mode | Avg. Time (Hours) | Sample Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NY/NJ (Newark) | Ocean (FCL) | 24-36 | 487 | Higher volume = longer queues |
| NY/NJ (Newark) | Air (JFK) | 8-12 | 203 | — |
| LA/Long Beach | Ocean (FCL) | 18-24 | 612 | Fastest ocean port in dataset |
| LA/Long Beach | Air (LAX) | 6-10 | 178 | — |
| Savannah | Ocean (FCL) | 20-30 | 291 | — |
| Houston | Ocean (FCL) | 22-32 | 214 | — |
| Miami | Ocean (LCL) | 28-42 | 183 | High exam rate for Latin America cargo |
| Miami | Air (MIA) | 10-16 | 142 | — |
| Seattle | Ocean (FCL) | 16-22 | 117 | Smaller volume = faster processing |
Note: Timelines exclude cargo selected for intensive exam, UFLPA holds, or IP/trademark holds. Exam cases averaged 4-7 days additional time; UFLPA holds averaged 21-45 days.
Most Common ISF 10+2 Errors
Analysis of 1,847 ISF filings. Errors were identified via CBP reject messages, ISF-5 "do not load" notifications, or liquidated damages cases.
| Error Type | % of Total Errors | Common Cause | How to Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missing/incorrect manufacturer details | 31% | Supplier provides factory name, not legal entity name | Request business license or export declaration from supplier |
| Incomplete consignee info | 22% | Missing EIN/IRS# or physical address | Verify consignee has EIN; no PO boxes allowed |
| Incorrect HTS classification | 18% | Importer guesses; uses supplier's suggested code | Hire licensed broker; request binding ruling if uncertain |
| Ship-to party mismatch | 14% | ISF filed with warehouse, entry filed with buyer | Ensure ISF ship-to = entry consignee (or use FTZ) |
| Container stuffing location error | 9% | CFS location listed instead of factory address | Confirm where goods physically entered the container |
| Late filing (<24 hrs before load) | 6% | Shipper provides docs late; broker delays | File ISF 3-5 days before load; use estimated data if needed |
Consequences: ISF violations carry penalties of $5,000 per violation. Late or inaccurate ISF filings can delay cargo release and increase exam rates.
Brokerage Fee Benchmarks by Entry Type
Fees charged by Williamsburg Customs for standard entries (2023-2025). Does NOT include government fees (MPF, HMF), continuous bond premiums, or ancillary services (AD/CVD research, FDA prior notice, etc.).
| Entry Type | Mode | Brokerage Fee Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formal Entry (Type 01) | Ocean | $125 - $175 | Higher end for multi-line entries or PGA coordination |
| Formal Entry (Type 01) | Air | $95 - $150 | — |
| Section 321 (Type 86) | Ocean or Air | $35 - $65 | Post-2025 data transmission requirement; higher volume = lower per-entry cost |
| ISF 10+2 Filing | Ocean only | $50 - $85 | Often bundled with entry fee; standalone shown here |
| Warehouse Withdrawal (Type 11) | — | $75 - $125 | For cargo stored in bonded warehouse/FTZ |
| Continuous Bond (Annual) | — | $400 - $800 | Depends on import value; $50k bond costs ~$400-500/year |
Note: Government fees are additional. MPF is 0.3464% of value (min $31.67, max $614.35 per entry). HMF is 0.125% of value for ocean shipments.
Download Full Dataset (CSV)
The complete dataset including anonymized entry details, clearance timestamps, and fee breakdowns is available upon request for research or benchmarking purposes.
Format: CSV (UTF-8) • Fields: Port, Mode, Entry Type, Filing Date, Release Date, Clearance Hours, Fee Charged, Commodity Category • Rows: 2,427
How to Use This Data
Importers: Use clearance timeline benchmarks to set realistic expectations with suppliers and customers. If your broker consistently exceeds these timelines, ask why.
3PLs & Freight Forwarders: Reference fee ranges when vetting customs brokers. Significantly lower fees may indicate inexperience; significantly higher fees may indicate inefficiency.
Brokers & BCOs: Use ISF error data to improve compliance training and reduce penalty risk.
Citation: If citing this data in reports or publications, please reference as: "Williamsburg Customs Brokerage Clearance Benchmarks (2023-2025), available at ewanorcustoms.com/data-clearance-benchmarks.html"
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