Ace the 2026 CBP Border Patrol Agent Exam – Patrol Your Way to Success!

An Informal Entry is characterized primarily by its use for personal or low-value commercial shipments. This type of entry typically involves goods that do not require extensive documentation, making it simpler for individuals or small businesses to import items without the burdensome process associated with formal customs entries.

Settings where Informal Entries are most applicable often involve low-value shipments, which helps streamline the customs process. This means that the focus is on practical and efficient entry of goods intended for personal use or smaller-scale commercial activity, thus not necessitating the detailed paperwork and regulatory scrutiny that higher-value or formal commercial shipments would require.

In contrast, goods valued at less than $1,000, while often related to Informal Entries, do not definitively characterize this entry process since the actual definition focuses more on the intended use and the volume of imported goods rather than merely their value. Similarly, the bond aspect relates to formal entries, as these require financial assurances, aligning more with complex shipping concerns rather than the straightforward nature of Informal Entries. Extensive documentation is also a hallmark of formal entries, further distinguishing Informal Entries as being less bureaucratic.