Five years is longer than your inbox memory
Importers, brokers, and other covered parties must keep specified records and make them available under customs law. Many records are generally retained for five years, though the trigger and exceptions depend on the record.
The four-step journey
Learn the basics of customs recordkeeping, responsible parties, entry support, electronic records, production requests, and the common five-year period.
- A decision is made and filed
- Supporting evidence is linked to the entry
- Records remain readable and retrievable
- Requests or audits can be answered
What the broker checks
- Who is the recordkeeper
- Which records support each declaration
- Retention trigger, format, access, and audit trail
Why it matters
A folder full of PDFs is not a recordkeeping system unless people can find the evidence behind each decision.
- Recordkeeper: A person required by law or regulation to maintain and produce customs records.
Official sources
- 19 CFR Part 163 — Recordkeeping
- 19 CFR Part 111 — Customs Brokers
- CBP — Customs Broker License Examination