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Loading ×Sorry to interrupt CSS Error Refresh An official website of the United States government Here’s how you know Here’s how you know Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Preferred Language US Customs and Border Protection INFORMATION CENTER INFORMATION CENTER CBP Information Center Top Travel Topics Top Import / Export Topics Take an Experience Survey CBP Information Center Top Travel Topics Top Import / Export Topics Take an Experience Survey IMPORTERS - WHY IS AN OVERSEAS SUPPLIER ASKING FOR MY SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER/TAX ID NUMBER/IRS NUMBER/IMPORTER NUMBER? Nov 15, 2021•Knowledge INFORMATION Title Importers - Why is an overseas supplier asking for my social security number/tax ID number/IRS number/importer number? URL Name Article-314 Summary Briefly describe the article. The summary is used in search results to help users find relevant articles. You can improve the accuracy of search results by including phrases that your customers use to describe this issue or topic. Content When an individual or company purchases goods from an overseas supplier, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) considers them the ultimate importer. The ultimate importer can clear the goods or have a Customs Broker clear them on their behalf. If the supplier hires a carrier that provides door to door service, the carrier service usually has brokers in their supply chain to clear the goods on behalf of the ultimate importer. If a formal entry is required, CBP regulations require the broker to put the ultimate importer's identification number on the CBP Form 7501- Entry Summary. The ultimate importer's identification number is either the Employers Identification Number (EIN) tax identification number assigned by the IRS or the importer's social security number. The EIN is issued for the purpose of tax administration and are not intended for participation in any other activities (e.g., tax lien auction or sales, lotteries). For additional information about EIN, please visit the IRS web page "Apply for an Employer Identification (EIN) Online." If the goods are cleared informally, the Entry Summary CBP Form 7501, bond and identification number are not required. Goods are usually cleared informally when they are for personal use, under $2500 in value, and are not in commercial quantities. However, because there are no guarantees that an entry will be cleared informally, brokers find it helpful to have the ultimate importer's identification number just in case. A formal entry is usually required for commercial importations valued over $2,500. Because many foreign merchants are aware that CBP requires an identification number for the ultimate importer for formal entries, they will often request the purchaser's social security number to include on export documents that the broker will subsequently rely on to prepare the CBP entry. It should be noted that paperwork for goods sent by courier service does ask for an importer number, whether the import qualifies for an informal entry or not. Courier services file CBP entries electronically, and the software system they use requires an identification number to be provided for the recipient of the goods. If an identification number is not provided, the courier service is required to file a paper entry, which is extremely time-consuming and in the world of "Overnight Delivery" not practical. The end result is that most courier services will not accept packages for international delivery to U.S. residents if a recipient's identification number is not provided by the shipper. Goods sent through the international postal service that are under $2500 in value generally do not require an importer number to be cleared through CBP. ANSWER Don't see what you're looking for? Ask us a question Welcome to the INFORMATION CENTER HOW CAN WE HELP YOU TODAY? Close Search... SearchSearchClose Search... Loading Don’t see it?Sign in to ask the community Search... End of Search Dialog Don't know what to ask? EXPLORE HERE! Did you have a negative experience while traveling? COMPLAINT DId you have a positive experience while traveling? COMPLIMENT Report Illegal Activities ACTIVITIES Take An EXPERIENCE SURVEY CBP Locations Ports of Entry Border Patrol Sectors Preclearance Locations Deferred Inspection Sites Border/Airport Wait Times Related Government Sites USCIS: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services USCIS: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services FinCEN: Financial Crimes Enforcement Network FinCEN: Financial Crimes Enforcement Network DHS: Department of Homeland Security DHS: Department of Homeland Security ICE: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ICE: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement TSA: Transportation Security Administration TSA: Transportation Security Administration State Department State Department FOIA: Freedom of Information Act FOIA: Freedom of Information Act TRIP: Traveler Redress Inquiry Program TRIP: Traveler Redress Inquiry Program OFAC: U.S. Treasury - Office of Foreign Assets Control OFAC: U.S. Treasury - Office of Foreign Assets Control EPA: Environmental Protection Agency EPA: Environmental Protection Agency DOT: Department of Transportation DOT: Department of Transportation USA Jobs USA Jobs USA.gov USA.gov ATF: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives ATF: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives TTB: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau TTB: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau Most Viewed Pages on CBP.gov ► Forms ► Forms ► Ports of Entry ► Ports of Entry ► Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) ► Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) ► User Bond Tags and Transponders ► User Bond Tags and Transponders ► Tariffs ► Tariffs ► Publications ► Publications ► Get Informed Before You Travel ► Get Informed Before You Travel ► Import to the USA ► Import to the USA ► Importing a Vehicle ► Importing a Vehicle ► Exporting a Vehicle ► Exporting a Vehicle DHS Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Report Suspicious Activity to: 1-800-BE-ALERT NOTE: The answers provided in this forum are for general information purposes only. Utilizing this forum does not constitute Reasonable Care under Informed Compliance guidelines. U.S. Customs & Border Protection U.S. Customs & Border Protection ★ ★ ★ Contact Us ★ ★ ★ Privacy Statement Privacy Statement Inquiries: (877) 227-5511 International Callers: (202) 325-8000 TTY: (866) 880-6582 Inquiries: (877) 227-5511 International Callers: (202) 325-8000 TTY: (866) 880-6582 CBP Employee Benefits FAQs Get Adobe Reader CBP Employee Benefits FAQs Get Adobe Reader ACCESSIBILITY | ACCOUNTABILITY | DHS COMPONENTS | FOIA | FORMS | INSPECTOR GENERAL | NO FEAR ACT | PRIVACY STATEMENT | SITE POLICIES | THE WHITE HOUSE | USA.GOV | PLUGINS Loading