| Who to ask | U.S. Customs and Border Protection, your surety company and your customs attorney or licensed broker |
|---|---|
| What to file | A new bond and importer record for the buyer, plus updates to carrier and port credentials |
| When | Start early, since bonds and credentials need lead time and cannot be borrowed on closing day |
Common snag: A buyer cannot lean on the seller's bond or importer record after closing, so shipments can stall if the buyer has none ready.
Who This Page Is For
It fits companies that import goods for themselves or others, forwarders, and drayage carriers that handle containers. Not every freight business needs a customs bond, so start by listing what you actually hold.
Importer Numbers and Bonds
An importer of record identifies the party responsible for goods entering the country. A customs bond guarantees that duties and fees will be paid. Both are tied to a specific company, not to the business as an idea.
When a buyer takes over, it generally needs its own record and bond. Ask your customs attorney how open entries and past filings are handled.
Open Entries and Liability
Shipments that have not been fully settled can come back as questions after closing. The company that filed them stays responsible. Agree in the contract who handles follow up and who pays if duties are adjusted later.
Broker Licenses and People
If your company acts as a licensed customs broker, licenses are held by individuals and companies under strict rules, and they do not transfer like equipment. Ask a customs attorney about the options early.
Drivers who enter secure port areas carry personal credentials and approvals. Those belong to the person, so buyers ask which drivers have them and plan to stay.
Carrier Authority and Insurance
Trucking authority, safety records and insurance have their own rules. Read the drayage company values page for what buyers review in the trucking side of the business.
Questions Owners Ask
Can the buyer use my bond for a few weeks? Usually not. A bond is a contract between the surety and one company, so ask the surety how it treats a sale.
Who answers if an audit comes later? The company that filed the entry remains responsible, which is why the purchase agreement should say who handles follow up.
What if most of my work is domestic trucking? Then little of this page may apply to you. List what you actually hold and check each item.
What a Seller Usually Does
- List every importer, bond, broker and port credential you hold
- Ask your surety how it handles a change in ownership
- Gather records of open entries and recent audits
- Tell the buyer which customer contracts depend on your numbers
- Plan the handoff of key customer contacts in writing
Related Steps
Local tax receipts are on the business tax receipts page. Equipment and the price split are covered in purchase price allocation.
This page is not tax or legal advice. Confirm each step with Customs, your surety, your attorney or your CPA.
Want a price range? Request a free valuation.