What is a Transportation & Exportation Bond (T&E Bond)?


You often want to import a vehicle or another belonging into Canada, but you’ll have to transport it through the United States first. When this is the case, you should use a transportation and exportation (T&E) bond to get the job done without spending more money than necessary.
What is a Transportation and Exportation Bond?
A T&E bond is a way for the US federal government to ensure that duties on imported items remaining in the United States are paid. In other words, the US takes a temporary payment from a hauling company or a private property owner moving an item through the United States to another country, such as Canada or Mexico. The bond amount is reimbursed when the item is transported back out of the country once again, but it is kept if, for some reason, the export never happens. This makes it easy for the Federal Government to collect money for import duties, and it’s a form of security that’s easy for everyone involved.
Why is it Valuable?
The relocation and exportation bond system is valuable for hauling services and people moving objects through the United States because it allows them to avoid paying duties to the country for items that aren’t being imported. With these bonds in place, they make a temporary payment that’s later reimbursed to make the shipping cost much more affordable overall. Paying duties multiple times would be costly and a poor way to ship items between countries.

Finding A Service That Utilizes Securities
When having vehicles or other items shipped through the United States and into Canada, you must ensure you work with a company that uses T&E bonds. If they aren’t using this bonded method of transport, you’ll be stuck paying additional duties, which will be on top of the duties you’ll pay when the vehicle finally makes it to Canada. This will make your conveyance significantly more expensive and is never a good idea.
You won’t need to worry about T&E bonds unless you’re moving a vehicle or another piece of property through the United States from another country to another country. However, it’s still an important concept to understand. T&E bonds can save you a great deal of money, and they’re something that all professional shifting companies should be using to ensure their hauling services are as affordable as possible.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Transportation and Exportation Bond (T&E bond)?
A Transportation and Exportation bond, commonly called a T&E bond, allows imported goods to move through the United States without paying duties immediately, as long as they are exported within a set period. This in bond shipment method is widely used for vehicles and equipment moving between ports before overseas delivery using international car shipping.
What is the difference between a T&E bond and an IT bond?
A T&E bond applies when goods enter the U.S. and must be exported out of the country, while an IT bond covers cargo moving between U.S. ports for customs clearance. Both fall under in bond transportation rules, but only T&E bonds require export within a strict timeframe, typically 30 days, to avoid duties or penalties.
What does “in bond shipment” mean in transportation?
An in bond shipment means cargo is transported under U.S. Customs supervision without duties being paid at entry. The goods remain uncleared until export or final clearance. This approach is often used for vehicles and freight moving between ports or bonded facilities before final shipment through overseas auto transport.
When is an immediate transportation bond required?
An immediate transportation bond is required when imported cargo must move from the arrival port to another U.S. port before clearance or export. It allows in bond transit without upfront duty payment and is often used for vehicles routed inland prior to final shipment via international car shipping by sea.
How long do you have to export goods under a T&E bond?
Most T&E bonds require goods to be exported within 30 days of entry into the United States. Customs closely tracks the in bond shipment process, and missing the deadline can result in duty charges, fines, or bond claims. Coordinated scheduling with experienced transport providers helps prevent compliance issues.
Can vehicles be shipped under an in bond shipment?
Yes, vehicles are commonly moved under in bond shipment rules, especially for international buyers and dealers. Cars and motorcycles can travel between U.S. ports under a T&E bond before export, often paired with international motorcycle shipping or vehicle export services to streamline delivery.

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