Freight Glossary
Bonded Warehouse – Meaning & Examples
A secured warehouse where imported goods can be stored without paying duties until released.
- Related terms
- customs bonded, duty deferral, in-bond storage
A bonded warehouse is a facility licensed by customs authorities where imported goods can be stored without payment of duties until they are released for domestic consumption. This allows importers to defer duty payment, store goods for extended periods, or re-export without paying local duties. Bonded warehouses are secured and monitored by customs. Goods can also undergo permitted operations like repacking or labeling while in bond.
Bonded Warehouse examples
- An importer stores goods in a bonded warehouse for 6 months before selling, deferring duty payment until sale.
How Bonded Warehouse is used in freight operations
Bonded Warehouse appears in quotations, bookings, shipping documents, and tracking updates. Confirm how it applies to your shipment with your carrier, forwarder, or customs representative, because practice can differ by country and contract.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Bonded Warehouse?
A secured warehouse where imported goods can be stored without paying duties until released.
What is an example of Bonded Warehouse?
An importer stores goods in a bonded warehouse for 6 months before selling, deferring duty payment until sale.