A bond port, commonly referred to in the U.S. as a Port of Entry, is any location (seaport, airport, or border crossing) officially designated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection where vessels and goods arriving from foreign countries are permitted to enter the United States.
When a vessel arrives at a bond port, the cargo is considered to be “in bond” until all customs duties, taxes, and fees are paid, and CBP authorizes its release. The term “bond” refers to the financial guarantee (a customs bond) required by the importer to CBP, assuring that all necessary payments will eventually be made.
Cargo can remain in bond while being stored in a customs bonded warehouse or transported under customs supervision (in-bond transfer) to an inland U.S. port for final clearance.