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Short answer: CBP Form 7501 is the Entry Summary that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) relies on to determine the appraisement, classification and origin of imported merchandise. Under 19 CFR 142.11 the entry summary must be on this form or its electronic equivalent, with a few listed exceptions such as CBP Form 3311 for certain duty-free goods.
This page is general information about a customs form, not legal or customs-brokerage advice, and it does not walk through filing.
Definition and scope: what is CBP Form 7501?
CBP’s own page describes the form this way: CBP relies upon CBP Form 7501 “Entry Summary” to determine relevant information, such as appraisement, classification and origin, about the imported commodity. The printed form is titled “ENTRY SUMMARY” and carries the OMB control number 1651-0022. CBP publishes separate completion instructions for it and a business-rules document for the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE).
The form is distinct from the commercial invoice and the bill of lading, which are shipping and sales documents. The 7501 is CBP’s own form; its blocks refer to those other documents (for example, block 12 asks for the bill of lading or air waybill number).
How the entry summary is used and when it is due
- Which form. 19 CFR 142.11(a) requires the entry summary to be on CBP Form 7501 or its electronic equivalent unless a different form or format is prescribed elsewhere. The 7501 is the form for merchandise formally entered for consumption, formally entered for warehouse or rewarehouse, and formally entered temporarily under bond.
- Alternative for some duty-free goods. Merchandise that may be entered free of duty under 19 CFR 10.1(g) or (h) may use CBP Form 3311 or its electronic equivalent instead. Informal entries are handled under 19 CFR 143.23.
- Timing. Under 19 CFR 142.12(a) the importer may file the entry summary at the time of entry, in which case the summary with estimated duties serves as both entry and entry summary. Otherwise, 142.12(b) says the entry summary documentation is filed, with estimated duties attached, within 10 working days after the time of entry.
- Paper copies. If filed on paper, CBP may require additional copies (19 CFR 142.11(b)).
Block groups on the form
The blank form (edition 2/18) groups its blocks as follows. CBP revises the form and its instructions, so use CBP’s Form 7501 page for the current instructions.
| Group | Blocks and what they record |
|---|---|
| Entry identification | 1 Filer Code/Entry No.; 2 Entry Type; 3 Summary Date; 4 Surety No.; 5 Bond Type; 6 Port Code; 7 Entry Date |
| Shipment and transport | 8 Importing Carrier; 9 Mode of Transport; 10 Country of Origin; 11 Import Date; 12 B/L or AWB No.; 13 Manufacturer ID; 14 Exporting Country; 15 Export Date; 16 I.T. No.; 17 I.T. Date; 18 Missing Docs; 19 Foreign Port of Lading; 20 U.S. Port of Unlading; 21 Location of Goods/G.O. No. |
| Parties | 22 Consignee No.; 23 Importer No.; 24 Reference No.; 25 Ultimate Consignee Name and Address; 26 Importer of Record Name and Address |
| Line items (columns 27-34) | Line No.; Description of Merchandise; HTSUS No. and ADA/CVD No.; Gross Weight and Manifest Qty.; Net Quantity in HTSUS Units; Entered Value, charges and relationship; HTSUS, ADA/CVD and IRC rates and Visa No.; Duty and I.R. Tax |
| Totals | 35 Total Entered Value; 37 Duty; 38 Tax; 39 Other; 40 Total (with an “Other Fee Summary for Block 39”) |
| Declaration and filer | 36 Declaration of Importer of Record (owner or purchaser) or Authorized Agent; 41 Declarant Name; 42 Broker/Filer Information; 43 Broker/Importer File No. |
The declaration block states that the statements “fully disclose to the best of my knowledge and belief the true prices, values, quantities, rebates, drawbacks, fees, commissions, and royalties,” and that goods or services provided to the seller free or at reduced cost are disclosed. A section marked “CBP USE ONLY” holds CBP’s own liquidation and ascertained-amount entries.
Where it matters for labs and clinics importing equipment
For a laboratory or clinic buying instruments or consumables from abroad, the form is where the goods are described, classified (HTSUS number), valued and assigned a country of origin. Two blocks are easy to confuse: block 25 names the ultimate consignee and block 26 the importer of record. The importer of record guide explains that role and the liability attached to it. The harbor maintenance fee guide covers a fee that is reported on the entry summary, and the origin evidence behind block 10 is covered in the certificate of origin guide. Classification questions are often researched through CBP CROSS rulings.
Common misunderstandings
- Entry and entry summary are not always separate filings. The regulation allows them to be filed together (19 CFR 142.12(a)), but they are different documents when the summary follows within 10 working days.
- The 7501 is not the commercial invoice. It is CBP’s own form, with blocks that refer to shipping documents.
- It is not the only form. CBP Form 3311 may be used for certain duty-free merchandise, and informal entries follow a different section.
FAQ
What is CBP Form 7501?
It is the Entry Summary form CBP relies on to determine the appraisement, classification and origin of imported merchandise.
When is the entry summary due?
At the time of entry, or within 10 working days after the time of entry with estimated duties attached (19 CFR 142.12).
Is Form 7501 the same as the entry?
No. When the entry summary is filed at the time of entry, the summary and estimated duties serve as both; otherwise the entry and the summary are filed separately.
What is Form 3311 used for?
Under 19 CFR 142.11(a), it may be used instead of the 7501 for merchandise that may be entered free of duty under 19 CFR 10.1(g) or (h).
Sources
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection, CBP Form 7501 (checked 2026-11-01).
- 19 CFR 142.11, Entry summary, form (Cornell LII, checked 2026-11-01).
- 19 CFR 142.12, Entry summary, time for filing (Cornell LII, checked 2026-11-01).
- CBP Form 7501 blank, edition 2/18, OMB 1651-0022 (CBP PDF, checked 2026-11-01).
