Cbp Form 400 – Fill Out and Use This PDF

ACH Debit Application – CBP Form 400 Details

What Is the ACH Debit Application?

CBP Form 400, officially known as the ACH Debit Application, is an enrollment form issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and overseen by the Department of Homeland Security. It registers importers, brokers, and authorized filers in the Daily Statement Payment Program. Once enrolled, the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland processes automated bank debits for all customs duties, taxes, and fees assessed against your CBP account.

Participation in this program eliminates the need for separate manual payments on each import entry. Instead, CBP consolidates all daily charges into a single automated debit from your registered bank account. This reduces administrative overhead for businesses that process multiple shipments each week.

Who Needs to File

You must submit the ACH Debit Application if you are any of the following:

• An importer of record who pays recurring customs duties
• A licensed customs broker or filer managing multiple client accounts
• A freight forwarder handling electronic customs payments for importers

Any party authorized to pay duties on imported goods may apply. A broker may file on behalf of an importer. The importer's authorized signature is still required in the company section.

Required Information

Gather the following before you begin filling out the form:

• Importer number or filer code: your CBP-issued business identifier
• Company name and authorized signature: from a company officer
• Bank routing number: 9-digit ABA transit number for ACH transactions
• Bank account number: the account to be debited each business day
• Effective date: at least three business days from your submission date
• Broker or filer details: name, 4-digit filer code, and phone number

Your bank must be a NACHA member institution. Non-member banks cannot participate in this program. Confirm eligibility with your bank before submitting the application.

How the Daily Statement Payment Program Works

Once enrolled, CBP consolidates all import charges assessed each day into one automated debit. This covers duties, taxes, and fees for every entry processed during the business day. Your bank account is debited once per business day rather than once per shipment.

If a debit fails, CBP may suspend your ACH authorization. Manual payment is required until the issue is resolved and a corrected form is submitted. Maintaining sufficient funds to cover daily duty estimates prevents disruptions to your customs clearance operations.

The daily statement amount can vary significantly depending on shipment volumes and applicable duty rates. High-volume importers often find the program essential for keeping their customs payments organized and on schedule. Failure to maintain adequate account funding can result in CBP holds on incoming shipments.

Submission and Processing

Submit the completed form to your local CBP port of entry or to the designated CBP finance center for your region. Your bank must separately verify your account details and routing number in writing before enrollment becomes active. Processing takes at least three business days before your specified effective date.

A licensed customs broker or filer may complete and submit the form on your behalf. The importer of record must still sign the authorizing company section. The broker enters their filer code and primary contact details in the broker/filer section of the form.

If your banking information changes after enrollment, you must submit a new ACH Debit Application. The existing form only authorizes debits to the specific bank account you originally provided. Updating your account details requires the same three-day processing window as the initial enrollment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if the routing number is incorrect?

An incorrect routing number causes a failed debit. CBP may suspend your ACH enrollment until you correct the error and submit a new application. Always verify your routing number with your bank before entering it on the form.

Is a separate form required for each importer?

Yes. Each importer of record requires its own ACH Debit Application. A broker may file multiple applications on behalf of different importers, but each must include that importer's authorized signature and specific banking details.

How long does enrollment processing take?

Allow at least three business days between your submission date and the effective date on the form. Weekends and federal holidays do not count toward the three-day requirement. Submitting early reduces the risk of delays.

What is the Daily Statement Payment Program?

The Daily Statement Payment Program is a CBP initiative that consolidates customs duty payments into automated daily bank debits. It replaces per-entry manual payments for enrolled importers and brokers. Participation requires this enrollment form and a qualifying account at a NACHA member bank.

See also the CBP Form 28 and CBP Form 1300 for other CBP documentation. For ACH enrollment outside of customs, see our ACH Payment Enrollment Form and ACH Authorization Form.