How to Add ID for Amazon Customs Clearance

Quick Answer

When you ship inventory into the US as an Amazon FBA seller, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires an Importer of Record (IOR) identification number linked to your shipment. Amazon’s Seller Central lets you add this ID so your shipment paperwork matches your CBP filing. You add your ID in Seller Central → Settings → Global Selling → Importer Number, entering either your EIN (if you have a US business entity), your SSN (if you’re a US individual), or your ITIN (if you’re a non-US person with one), along with your CBP assigned number or customs broker’s filer code. Without this ID on file, shipments from outside the US will be held at the port.

This post walks through the exact process, what ID types Amazon accepts, and what to do if Seller Central rejects your entry or your shipment is already held at customs.

What IDs Amazon Accepts for Customs Clearance

Amazon supports three types of taxpayer identifiers for customs clearance purposes:

ID Type	Who it’s for	How to get it
EIN (Employer Identification Number)	US business entities (LLCs, corporations, partnerships)	Free from IRS — apply at irs.gov, instant if you have SSN
SSN (Social Security Number)	US individuals operating as sole proprietors	Already issued to you by SSA
ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number)	Non-US individuals without SSN who still have US tax obligations	IRS Form W-7, takes 7–11 weeks

Non-US sellers without US tax presence typically need either:
– An EIN for their US-registered business (simplest — many non-US sellers form a Delaware or Wyoming LLC specifically for FBA)
– A CBP assigned number (formerly called CAIN), obtained through a licensed customs broker

You also need a CBP filer code

In addition to your taxpayer ID, your customs broker or freight forwarder needs a valid filer code with CBP. If you handle customs yourself, you’ll need your own filer code. If you use a freight forwarder, their code is already on file.

Step-by-Step: Adding Your ID in Seller Central

1. Log in to Seller Central

Go to sellercentral.amazon.com and sign in with your professional seller account credentials. Individual seller accounts have limited access to customs clearance features.

2. Navigate to settings

Click the gear icon in the top right
Select Account Info from the dropdown
Scroll to the Global Selling section, or go directly via the left nav

3. Find the Importer Number field

Under Global Selling → Importer Number (also labeled “Tax Details” in some regions), you’ll see fields for:
– Taxpayer ID type (EIN, SSN, ITIN)
– Taxpayer ID number
– CBP assigned number (optional if you have a broker)
– Importer of Record address

4. Enter your information

Taxpayer ID type: pick the correct one for your business structure
Taxpayer ID number: enter without dashes (e.g., 12-3456789 goes in as 123456789)
CBP assigned number: leave blank if your freight forwarder handles customs
Importer of Record address: this must exactly match the address on your IRS records — even one mismatched character will cause the field to reject

5. Save and verify

After clicking Save, Amazon validates the ID format. Within 24–72 hours, Amazon cross-references with CBP records. Check back the next day — if there’s a mismatch, you’ll see an error message at the top of the settings page.

6. Update your shipment plan

Once your ID is on file, re-open any FBA shipment plans you created before adding the ID. The shipment plan should now display your Importer Number in the export/import details section. If it doesn’t, manually refresh by going to Shipment Settings within the plan and clicking Update Importer Information.

Common Errors and How to Fix Them

Error: “Taxpayer ID doesn’t match IRS records”

Cause: Name or address on Amazon doesn’t exactly match what the IRS has on file.
Fix: Check your IRS CP 575 notice (the letter confirming your EIN). Copy the business name and address character-for-character into Amazon. Even trailing periods in abbreviations matter.

Error: “Importer Number format invalid”

Cause: Dashes, spaces, or extra characters in the ID field.
Fix: Enter only digits. EIN: 9 digits. SSN: 9 digits. ITIN: 9 digits starting with 9.

Error: “Country of residence inconsistent with ID type”

Cause: You selected SSN as the ID type but have a non-US country set in your seller profile.
Fix: Non-US sellers should use EIN (for a US entity) or ITIN. If you have neither, form a US LLC first — takes 1–2 days in Delaware or Wyoming.

Error: “Shipment already in transit, cannot update”

Cause: You’re trying to update Importer Number for a shipment that’s already active (in transit, at customs, or at FC).
Fix: You can’t retroactively update. Contact your freight forwarder immediately — they may be able to amend the CBP entry with the broker before release. If the shipment is already with CBP, the broker files an amendment (Post Summary Correction). This takes 3–7 additional business days.

Error: “CBP cannot verify Importer ID”

Cause: Your ID is valid with IRS but CBP doesn’t have you registered as an Importer of Record yet.
Fix: First-time importers need to be added to CBP’s database. Your customs broker does this with a CBP Form 5106 filing. This takes 24–48 hours. After that, re-enter the ID in Amazon.

What to Do If Your Shipment Is Already Held

If cargo is at the US port or airport and CBP won’t release it because of an ID mismatch:

1. Contact your freight forwarder immediately

They (or their customs broker) can review the CBP entry and identify which field is failing. Time matters — demurrage starts after the free time period (typically 4–7 days at port).

2. Gather proof documents

You’ll need: IRS CP 575 (EIN confirmation letter), business formation documents (Articles of Organization for LLC), and your Importer of Record address verification (utility bill, lease, or similar).

3. File CBP Form 5106 if needed

If this is your first import, CBP needs to register you as an Importer of Record. Your broker files Form 5106 electronically; it typically processes in 24–48 hours.

4. Update Amazon’s ID record

Once CBP has you registered, enter the ID in Seller Central so future shipments clear without repeating this process.

5. Release and reroute

The broker re-files the CBP entry once the ID is registered. Cargo is released and can proceed to drayage, prep, and FC delivery. Budget 3–7 additional business days from hold to release.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need both an EIN and an ITIN?

No — you need one taxpayer ID that matches your business structure. US LLCs and corporations use EIN. US individuals use SSN. Non-US individuals without SSN use ITIN.

Can I use my customs broker’s ID instead of my own?

No. CBP requires the Importer of Record (the party responsible for the goods) to have its own ID. Your customs broker files on your behalf using their filer code, but the IOR record still has to be yours.

What if I’m selling in Amazon US from outside the US?

You need either: a US business entity with an EIN, or an ITIN for yourself as an individual importer, or a CBP assigned number as an alternative. The cleanest path is forming a US LLC (Delaware or Wyoming are common for non-US sellers) and using its EIN. This takes 1–2 business days.

How long does Amazon take to verify my ID?

Amazon validates ID format instantly. Cross-reference with CBP typically completes within 24–72 hours. If you don’t see confirmation within 3 business days, contact Seller Support.

Why is my Amazon ID not being accepted?

Three most common reasons: (1) address on Amazon doesn’t match IRS records, (2) the ID format is wrong (dashes or spaces included), or (3) you’re a first-time importer and CBP hasn’t registered you yet.

Does this affect existing shipments or just new ones?

Only new shipments created after you add the ID will automatically use it. Shipments already in transit have their CBP entry filed with whatever ID was in place at the time — you can’t retroactively update them without a broker-filed amendment.

Is this the same for FBM and FBA shipments?

No — FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant) shipments you import for your own warehouse don’t use Amazon’s ID field because they never touch FBA infrastructure. Only FBA shipments requiring Amazon to act as the receiving party need the ID in Seller Central.

Shipping into Amazon FBA and need help with customs?

WWS Cargo handles US customs clearance as part of every FBA shipment we move. We register first-time importers with CBP (Form 5106), file entries with our licensed customs brokers, and resolve ID mismatches before they become holds.

Talk to us about your first shipment →

Last updated: May 23, 2026. Information verified against CBP and Amazon Seller Central documentation current as of Q2 2026. Consult a licensed customs broker for shipment-specific advice.