What Is a U.S. Importer Number? How Customs Identifies The Importer Of Record

U.S. Importer Number The identifier used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to identify the importer of record on customs transactions. In practice this identifier is the number Customs and industry participants use on entries, bonds, and filings to link goods to the person or company legally responsible for import compliance, duties, taxes, and recordkeeping.

Customs does not require a special, single "importer card" for most domestic entities because the importer number is typically an existing business tax identifier. For U.S. businesses that is usually the Employer Identification Number (EIN) issued by the IRS; for an individual importer it may be a social security number (SSN). When an importer is foreign or operating without an EIN, Customs can accept other identifiers or assign a CBP importer number to allow processing.

What The Number Identifies

The U.S. Importer Number ties a shipment, customs entry, and any associated duties or penalties to the importer of record — the entity responsible for compliance with customs laws. It appears on entry summaries, bills of lading, automated filings, and security submissions so customs, brokers, carriers, and ports can match documentation to the legal importer.

How Customs Accepts And Uses Identifiers

There are several accepted identifier types and practical routes to supplying an importer number in the U.S. import process:

• EIN/SSN: The most common identifiers for U.S. importers. Brokers use the importer’s EIN on electronic entry filings and CBP paperwork.
• CBP-Assigned Importer Numbers: For foreign importers or small entities without a U.S. tax number, CBP can accept or assign a customs identifier; Form 5106 is the standard channel for submitting or updating importer identification information.
• Third-Party Identifiers: Freight forwarders, customs brokers, and 3PLs will record the importer number in ACE, the Automated Commercial Environment, to link entries to the importer.

Why The Importer Number Matters

Accurate importer identification drives compliance, duty collection, and traceability. Customs uses the number to determine liability for duties, enforce quotas and restrictions, and audit records. For importers, correct identification prevents mis-assigned duties, delays at the port, and potential penalties for filing errors.

How It Appears In Common Filings

On electronic and paper paperwork the importer number shows up in several places:

• Entry Summary (CBP Form 7501): The EIN or assigned importer number is recorded so Customs can allocate duties and taxes.
• Importer Security Filing (ISF): Ocean cargo requires ISF data; when applicable the importer number helps match ISF to entry.
• Commercial Documents: Bills of lading, invoices, and packing lists carry the importer identifier for logistics and release at the port.

Who Uses The Importer Number

Multiple parties rely on the importer number during a shipment’s lifecycle:

• Importers Of Record: Use it for filings, duty payment, and compliance records.
• Customs Brokers: Use the importer number to prepare and submit entries and interact with CBP on behalf of clients.
• Carriers And Ports: Use the number to release cargo and cross-reference manifests and bills of lading.

Practical Example

A U.S.-based retailer imports a pallet of branded goods. The retailer provides its EIN to the customs broker who prepares the entry. The EIN is entered on the CBP entry summary and the ISF (if required). When the shipment arrives, the port uses the importer number on the entry to confirm the retailer is the importer of record before releasing the goods. If the retailer had given an incorrect number, the shipment could be delayed while Customs and the broker resolve identity and liability issues.

Tips For Warehouses, 3PLs, And Brokers

• Verify Early: Ask for and validate the importer number during booking or at intake to prevent entry delays.
• Document Changes: Use Form 5106 or broker procedures to update importer identification promptly when a customer provides a new EIN.
• Use Secure Records: Store EINs and CBP-assigned numbers in your WMS or TMS, linked to client accounts for automated entry preparation.

In short, the U.S. Importer Number is the identifier Customs relies on to link shipments and filings to the importer of record. For most U.S. entities it is the EIN; when handled correctly it speeds processing and minimizes compliance risk.