I agree with the invoice. How can I make payment?

You may pay by check, money order or credit card. If paying by check or money order, mail it to the address shown on the invoice. You may pay for more than one invoice using a single payment. Be sure to include one copy of each PBB invoice that is covered by the payment to ensure that your account is properly credited.

I have sent goods previously via the Postal Service, and have never been charged by a broker. Why am I charged when I use a courier service?

The U.S. Postal Service and couriers both send incoming shipments to U.S. Customs for examination. Packages that are free of duty are returned to the Postal Service for delivery, but courier services use the services of customs brokers to handle this process with U.S. Customs. A fee is charged for this service in addition to any applicable duties and fees that are paid to U.S. Customs on your behalf.

I was sending my family member his or her own belongings while he or she was vacationing in the U.S.A. Why must I pay duty?

In order to obtain duty-free entry of personal merchandise that is not accompanying the owner at the time of importation into the U.S.A., Customs form CF3299 must be presented at the time of importation. To download the form, please visit the U. S. Customs Service website.

What is a "surety bond"?

Any corporation, company or individual wishing to import goods into the U.S.A. is required to post a surety bond with U.S. Customs. Before final liquidation of the import entry, Customs must determine that: (a) all applicable duties, taxes and fees have been paid; and (b) that the importer is in regulatory compliance (country of origin marking, proper record keeping, and other government agency compliance, such as FDA, FCC, etc.). A surety bond is a financial guarantee, much like an insurance policy, that ensures that all financial and regulatory obligations due to the Unites States government have been or will be met. 

My goods are Canadian made. Why is duty calculated?

In order for PBB to enter goods duty free, the shipper must present a completed NAFTA certificate at the time of entry. PBB will then claim NAFTA eligibility on the goods so that they may enter free of duty. If the certificate is not available at the time of the shipment, any duties paid may be claimed for refund up to one year from the date of importation. There is an additional fee for this service.

I just received an invoice from PBB USA Inc. What is this for?

You or your company was designated as responsible for all U.S. Customs clearance charges on the documentation accompanying an international shipment of merchandise.

I should not have been billed. Another party is responsible for these charges. What do I do now?

You or your company must contact the person or department shown on the PBB USA Inc. invoice in order to make arrangements to have your account credited and re-billed to the proper party.

My goods are only going into the U.S.A. to be repaired. Why is duty calculated?

In general, if goods are manufactured outside of the U.S.A., U.S. Customs will charge duty on each and every importation, regardless of the reason. This is a mandated federal law.

However, goods coming into the U.S.A. for repair (as long as they will be reexported after the repair) may qualify for duty-free status under a Temporary Importation Bond (TIB). The TIB process requires a formal notification to CBP at time of export, and specific documentation must be provided at the port of departure, then signed off by CBP to close out the TIB.

I need supporting documentation before I can pay this invoice. How can I obtain it?

You or your company must contact the person or department shown on the PBB USA Inc. invoice. Backup documentation of any type is not provided unless previously arranged and negotiated. If your account has not been set up for this service, there will be an additional fee for us to provide this documentation.

Why does my invoice include OUTPORT BROKERAGE and OUTPORT SERVICE FEES as opposed to having my regular PBB USA Inc. rate?

Quoted PBB USA Inc. rates apply to shipments that are Customs cleared in ports where PBB USA Inc. has an office to handle the US Customs clearance.

If a shipment needs US Customs clearance at a port where PBB USA Inc. does not have an office, we must hire another Customs Broker to act as our Outport Agent to handle the clearance.

All information for the clearance is provided by PBB USA Inc. and the PBB client can take advantage of our special rates and credit that we have already established with the Outport Broker. The client does not need to negotiate with another Customs Broker, they continue to correspond directly with PBB who is familiar with their merchandise.

The Outport Brokerage Fee reflects the charge PBB USA Inc. is billed by the broker that was hired by PBB to do the US Customs clearance.

The Outport Service Fee reflects PBB USA Inc.'s service fee for coordinating the clearance with the Outport Broker.

For a list of PBB USA Inc. offices, check the internet at www.pbb.com or obtain a directory of offices from any PBB service person.

What is "MPF"?

The Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) is a fee payable to U.S. Customs on all goods manufactured outside of the U.S.A. On informal entries (generally valued not over $2,000 USD), a minimum fee of $2.00 is payable. On formal entries (generally valued over $2,000 USD), the fee is calculated using a rate of 0.21% [0.0021] multiplied by the value of the merchandise, with a
minimum fee of $25.00.

I don't have a U.S. funds checking account. Can I pay my invoice in any other currency?

Currently, PBB will only accept payment in U.S. or Canadian dollars. If you prefer to pay in Canadian dollars, you or your company must contact the person or department shown on the PBB USA Inc. invoice. The PBB representative will quote you the equivalent amount due. If you wish to pay all future invoices in Canadian dollars, your account can be adjusted accordingly.