Importer Security Filing (ISF) print omits key fields — how to restore missing data

Joe B.

Reviewed for technical accuracy

Specialities: ISF 10+2, CBP ACE Portal, EDI/ABI, Brokers & carriers, PDF/print workflows

ISF 10+2 print missing fields — B/L & SCAC not showing, consignee number blank, manufacturer/seller omitted

Technician

Hey! We’ll fix your Importer Security Filing (ISF) print that omits key fields. A couple of quick details help me target the root cause:
• Are you printing from ACE Portal, a customs broker platform (e.g., Descartes, Magaya, WiseTech), or a PDF your broker emailed?
• Which ISF 10+2 elements are missing on paper/PDF: B/L (bill of lading), carrier SCAC, importer of record, consignee number, seller/manufacturer, ship-to, container stuffing location, consolidator, country of origin, HTSUS?
• Do you see everything on screen but the print preview/PDF export chops columns, or the data is blank in the system?

Customer

I’m in ACE, printing the ISF confirmation for our files. On screen I can see the HTS and manufacturer, but the print leaves out the B/L, SCAC, and the consignee number. The PDF my broker sent also trims the right column.

Technician

Understood. There are two common buckets:
A) Rendering/print issues — browser prints at Fit to width, margins too large, or fonts blocked (e.g., woff2); the page is set to portrait but the grid expects landscape; pop-ups force a simplified view that omits columns.
B) Data issues — the ISF record lacks the House B/L versus Master B/L, wrong SCAC, or the consignee/IOR number was left blank by EDI/ABI upload. In this case it will also be missing from the ACE “Details” tab.
We’ll verify the data in ACE, then produce a clean ISF confirmation PDF with all required elements for CBP audit.

Customer

Let’s try rendering first. I printed from Chrome using the system dialog. It looked squished, and half the column with manufacturer/seller fell off the page.

Technician

Step 1 — Fix the print/PDF export so columns aren’t omitted
• In the print dialog choose Landscape, Scale = 100% (Actual size), and set Margins: None or Custom 0.25″.
• Disable “Simplify page” / “Background graphics off” options that remove grid lines and hide ISF elements.
• Try the built-in Save as PDF instead of the system dialog; in Chrome/Edge toggle “Use system print dialog” OFF.
• If fonts render as boxes or columns shift, allow the page resources (no corporate blocker for fonts/woff2) and refresh; Edge sometimes fixes column widths better than Chrome.
• When exporting from a broker portal, look for a dedicated ISF confirmation (print-friendly) template rather than printing the edit screen.

Customer

With Landscape + 100% scale the columns fit. But the SCAC and consignee number are still blank on the printed confirmation.

Technician

Step 2 — Confirm the 10+2 elements exist in the record
In ACE open the ISF Details panel and check: Importer of Record (IOR), Consignee number, Seller, Manufacturer (supplier), Ship-to, Container stuffing location, Consolidator, Country of origin, and HTSUS. Also verify B/L type (Master vs House) and Carrier SCAC.
If any field is empty here, it won’t appear on the print — that’s a data issue from EDI/ABI. We can edit and resubmit or have your broker send a corrected ISF Accepted notice.

Customer

I see the B/L and SCAC in the system, so data exists. The broker said their “print-friendly” page sometimes hides optional columns.

Technician

Step 3 — Print the right document: “ISF Confirmation / ISF Match”
• In ACE, use the ISF Confirmation or ISF Match report (it includes the CBP accepted status, filing date/time, and all identifiers).
• In broker portals pick ISF Confirmation PDF or “Audit/CBP copy” — not the edit/summary page. These templates display B/L, SCAC, IOR, consignee consistently.
• If their template still omits columns, export CSV/Excel from the ISF and print that, or have the broker email the ACE ABI message or EDI acknowledgment for your records.

Customer

Good. Any layout best practices so CBP auditors can read it easily? Our last audit flagged illegible prints.

Technician

Step 4 — Produce a clean, auditable PDF
• Keep Landscape, 100% scale, and Margins: 0–0.25″. Enable Background graphics so grid headers remain visible.
• Use black text on white (no dark mode), and check the final PDF at 200% zoom for cut-off rows.
• Name files consistently: ISF_Accepted_[B-L]_SCAC_[FilingDate].pdf and store with the arrival notice and commercial invoice for audit trail.
• For cross-department sharing, also export the CSV so purchasing can verify manufacturer/seller, HTSUS, and country of origin.

Customer

What if a field is truly missing from the record (e.g., consolidator or stuffing location)?

Technician

Step 5 — Correct the ISF data and re-print
• Ask your customs broker to file an update with the missing container stuffing location or consolidator (stuffer).
• Confirm the correct IOR/consignee number and seller/manufacturer entries (company legal names and addresses must match documents).
• Once ISF Accepted again, pull a fresh ISF Confirmation and re-export the PDF.
• If the carrier changed the voyage/B/L, ensure the SCAC + B/L pairing is updated so ACE shows an ISF Match.

Customer

That covers it. I’ll regenerate the confirmation now. Anything else to keep prints consistent across browsers?

Technician

Final checks:
• Test in Chrome and Edge; Edge often honors table widths better for ACE. Clear “simplify page” add-ons that strip columns.
• Ensure security tools aren’t blocking fonts/woff2 or print CSS from the portal; blocked resources can hide column labels.
• Prefer Save as PDF over virtual printers; then print that PDF at 100% on letter/A4.
• Keep both the ISF confirmation PDF and the ABI/EDI acknowledgment as your audit package.
Need a clean export right now? Open the chat and I’ll generate a compliant PDF for you.

Customer

Perfect — the regenerated PDF shows B/L, SCAC, consignee number, seller and manufacturer. Printing at 100% worked. Thanks!

Technician

Summary: If an ISF 10+2 print omits key fields, fix rendering (Landscape, 100% scale, proper margins, allow fonts), use the official ISF Confirmation/ISF Match template, and verify the 10+2 elements in ACE (B/L, SCAC, IOR, consignee, manufacturer/seller, ship-to, stuffing location, consolidator, country of origin, HTSUS). Re-export as PDF and archive with the ABI acknowledgment.

Quick answer: the accepted fix

Accepted fix when an Importer Security Filing (ISF) print is missing fields: switch to Landscape, set Scale 100% with minimal margins, allow page fonts, and print the ISF Confirmation/ISF Match template. If data is blank in ACE, correct the 10+2 elements (B/L, SCAC, IOR/consignee, manufacturer, HTSUS) and re-export the PDF.

FAQ

Step-by-step (ISF print)

1. Open the official ISF Confirmation/Match view (ACE or broker portal).
2. Print with Landscape, Scale 100%, margins 0–0.25″, and Background graphics ON.
3. If fields are still blank, verify the 10+2 elements in ACE (B/L, SCAC, IOR, consignee, manufacturer/seller, ship-to, stuffing location, consolidator, origin, HTSUS).
4. Update the filing if needed; after ISF Accepted, re-export the PDF and archive with ABI/EDI acknowledgment.

Notes for teams & different browsers

1. Chrome/Edge behave differently; Edge often respects table widths for ACE reports.
2. Disable “Simplify page” add-ons and allow fonts/woff2 from the portal domain.

Sources

• CBP — ACE Portal
• CBP — Importer Security Filing (10+2)
• CBP — Automated systems & ABI

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