Information needed for importation to US - Advice?

Gopher · Dec 20, 2022

Hello. I have imported numerous watches to the US from around the world, but am having issues with UPS in a present one. UPS is insisting US Customs requires my SSN or tax ID to receive the shipment; without this information, it will go back to the sender.

I have never provided this info. before and see no practical purpose for it. I get charged the import duty based on my completed US Customs Watch Worksheet (which UPS has). I am at a loss for what to do.

Has anyone else run into this roadblock? Were you able to overcome without providing your SSN?

Any insight or advice will be appreciated.

Thank you!

Larry S · Dec 20, 2022

I too have imported a fair number but always via Fed Ex or DHL. Never had this problem. Honestly after one really terrible experience with RM/USPS on bracelet parts, I would never use them for importing a watch. Is this coming via text/e-mail? I would go on line to the website and check. Otherwise someone is scamming you.

Gopher · Dec 20, 2022

Larry S
I too have imported a fair number but always via Fed Ex or DHL. Never had this problem. Honestly after one really terrible experience with RM/USPS on bracelet parts, I would never use them for importing a watch. Is this coming via text/e-mail? I would go on line to the website and check. Otherwise someone is scamming you.

Thanks, @Larry S . This is coming from the Brokerage Services contact at UPS, so it is legit. I think she is misinformed, but if she will not process the shipment, I am stuck.

Gopher · Dec 20, 2022

For what it's worth, below is information provided to me by UPS. It does not match my experience but is what UPS is standing on.
********"
First off, all goods entering the US from overseas are considered Imports and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) must approve all Imports for entry. CBP requires documentation which includes shipment details such as the identification of the Ultimate Consignee. An Ultimate Consignee is a person, party, or designee that is located in the US and will receive the shipment (which is usually the buyer of the goods). An Internal Revenue Service (IRS) number, is used by CBP to identify the Ultimate Consignee.

There are two types of IRS numbers:

Employer Identification Number (EIN): Issued to business entities
Social Security Number (SSN): Issued to individuals

Without an IRS number, CBP does not know who the Ultimate Consignee is and therefore will not accept the shipment into the US

US Customs states the following.

"The appropriate identification number for the Ultimate Consignee is defined as an Internal Revenue Service employer identification number if a social Security number. if the appropriate Ultimate Consignee identification number is not provided at the time of entry or release, entry of the merchandise shall be denied."

Larry S · Dec 20, 2022

Gopher
For what it's worth, below is information provided to me by UPS. It does not match my experience but is what UPS is standing on.
********"
First off, all goods entering the US from overseas are considered Imports and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) must approve all Imports for entry. CBP requires documentation which includes shipment details such as the identification of the Ultimate Consignee. An Ultimate Consignee is a person, party, or designee that is located in the US and will receive the shipment (which is usually the buyer of the goods). An Internal Revenue Service (IRS) number, is used by CBP to identify the Ultimate Consignee.

There are two types of IRS numbers:

Employer Identification Number (EIN): Issued to business entities

Social Security Number (SSN): Issued to individuals

Without an IRS number, CBP does not know who the Ultimate Consignee is and therefore will not accept the shipment into the US

US Customs states the following.

"The appropriate identification number for the Ultimate Consignee is defined as an Internal Revenue Service employer identification number if a social Security number. if the appropriate Ultimate Consignee identification number is not provided at the time of entry or release, entry of the merchandise shall be denied."

Well, can’t fight city hall I guess. You can get an EIN very easily on line, takes 15 minutes, I did it to get my Parcel Pro account going, or you can just use your SSN.

Gopher · Dec 20, 2022

Larry S
Well, can’t fight city hall I guess. You can get an EIN very easily on line, takes 15 minutes, I did it to get my Parcel Pro account going, or you can just use your SSN.

@Larry S Great suggestion on the EIN! Is there any downside to getting an EIN? Sorry for the basic question.

Evitzee · Dec 20, 2022

OP is being asked to fill out Form 5106 as he is the importer. It's a hit or miss with Customs whether this form is necessary. I had to fill it out to get my 321 Ed White cleared from Europe. No form, no watch. It takes five minutes to fill out; name, address, SSN, date and signature. FedEx customs agent sent it to me with instructions for which lines needed to be filled in. Thirty minutes after I emailed it back I received word the parcel was released for delivery. You have little choice here if you want your watch. It's not a biggie. SSNs have been so compromised over the years you run little risk anymore, especially if you have locked down your credit files with the three agencies, which is highly recommended. I would have little fear that your SSN on an official Dept of Homeland Security form is going to end badly for you.

Gopher · Dec 20, 2022

Evitzee
OP is being asked to fill out Form 5106 as he is the importer. It's a hit or miss with Customs whether this form is necessary. I had to fill it out to get my 321_Ed White cleared from Europe. No form, no watch. It takes five minutes to fill out; name, address, SSN, date and signature. FedEx customs agent sent it to me with instructions for which lines needed to be filled in. Thirty minutes after I emailed it back I received word the parcel was released for delivery. You have little choice here if you want your watch. It's not a biggie.

@Evitzee Thanks! I am uncomfortable throwing around my SSN, so trying to avoid that if at all possible. May not be possible despite the fact I have imported over a dozen other watches through FedEx, UPS, and DHL without ever providing or filling out anything besides the Watch Worksheet.

Poland Customs made me fill out an odd form but that is it. Really is hit and miss or random it seems. No consistency.

Evitzee · Dec 20, 2022

Gopher
@Evitzee Thanks! I am uncomfortable throwing around my SSN, so trying to avoid that if at all possible. May not be possible despite the fact I have imported over a dozen other watches through FedEx, UPS, and DHL without ever providing or filling out anything besides the Watch Worksheet.

Poland Customs made me fill out an odd form but that is it. Really is hit and miss or random it seems. No consistency.

They can't do full paperwork on every shipment or nothing would get done, so it's a random process based on their internal algorithms. Often it can just be random for compliance purposes. I've only had to do it once. Another watch from the same seller sailed right through with no issues.

Larry S · Dec 20, 2022

Gopher
@Larry S Great suggestion on the EIN! Is there any downside to getting an EIN? Sorry for the basic question.

None…It will satisfy the USPS and maintain your privacy. (you can google this, I did)

MRC · Dec 20, 2022

Larry S
None…It will satisfy the USPS and maintain your privacy. (you can google this, I did)

Or someone who wants to keep their SSN private could use mine, I have not set foot in the USA since April 1984 and am extremely unlikely to do so again. Might let some magic smoke escape from their computers though. For years I have ignored letters from the IRS and whatever gumint pensions agency writes to me to say that I have not paid into their fund for sufficient years to get any of what I've dutifully paid back. So let them write 😜

Gopher · Dec 20, 2022

Larry S
None…It will satisfy the USPS and maintain your privacy. (you can google this, I did)

@Larry S Great call on the EIN. I went that route and things seem to be moving again. It was quick and painless to set up. Thanks again!

kkt · Dec 20, 2022

MRC
Or someone who wants to keep their SSN private could use mine, I have not set foot in the USA since April 1984 and am extremely unlikely to do so again. Might let some magic smoke escape from their computers though. For years I have ignored letters from the IRS and whatever gumint pensions agency writes to me to say that I have not paid into their fund for sufficient years to get any of what I've dutifully paid back. So let them write 😜

It's kind of you but I wouldn't advocate fraud on a customs form...

Larry S · Dec 20, 2022

Gopher
@Larry S Great call on the EIN. I went that route and things seem to be moving again. It was quick and painless to set up. Thanks again!

Glad it worked. Now just make a file for the EIN number and have it handy.

Dan S · Dec 20, 2022

I have always had to provide my SSN when a courier needs the watch worksheet filled out.

Gopher · Dec 20, 2022

@Dan S Very interesting as this is quite then opposite of my experience. As @Evitzee posted above, it is all over the board. Luck of the draw it seems.

Dan S · Dec 20, 2022

Gopher
@Dan S Very interesting as this is quite then opposite of my experience. As @Evitzee posted above, it is all over the board. Luck of the draw it seems.

If you say so, but I don't believe that's what @Evitzee was saying. As he indicated, very often it's not necessary to fill out the form at all. But when you fill out the form, the SSN goes on it. Especially in recent times with the stricter adherence to rules.

https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-314?language=en_US

Gopher · Dec 20, 2022

Dan S
If you say so, but I don't believe that's what @Evitzee was saying. As he indicated, very often it's not necessary to fill out the form at all. But when you fill out the form, the SSN goes on it. Especially in recent times with the stricter adherence to rules.

https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-314?language=en_US

No, I have not provided my SSN before. I have imported a dozen or more with no SSN. The Watch Worksheet does not even have a field for SSN, at least not the version I use. I have had to provide the Worksheet every time.

Evitzee · Dec 20, 2022

Dan S
If you say so, but I don't believe that's what @Evitzee was saying. As he indicated, very often it's not necessary to fill out the form at all. But when you fill out the form, the SSN goes on it. Especially in recent times with the stricter adherence to rules.

https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-314?language=en_US

That's not exactly what I'm saying. Usually your shipment will clear as long as customs can figure out the duty, but sometimes (for whatever reasons) they request Form 5106 be filled out. Perhaps it's based on value, where it is coming from, the name of the sender, or just random. If you are requested to provide Form 5106 you have to do it or the shipment will not clear customs. You really can't talk your way out of it. I was just reviewing Form 5106, it is a four page form and if you are a business there is a lot of data you have to provide to identify the company's officers including passport numbers, SSNs, addresses and the like. A company will also have an IRS number, the EIN. A non-business, personal import individual just needs to fill out name, resident address, SSN, phone contact, date and signature. Perhaps a personal importer can use an EIN, it's not clear. I just can't get too excited about putting my SSN on an official government document, the customs agents doing all this entry stuff aren't likely skimming my SSN to sell for profit.

Dan S · Dec 20, 2022

Gopher
No, I have not provided my SSN before. I have imported a dozen or more with no SSN. The Watch Worksheet does not even have a field for SSN, at least not the version I use. I have had to provide the Worksheet every time.

I think we are talking at cross purposes, probably I didn't make myself clear, my apologies. A watch worksheet is just an informal internal document provided by the broker/courier to collect information that they need to calculate duty, it is not a government form. If you are interested in actually understanding the requirements, read the document at the link I sent you and look at the form linked within that document. If your courier/broker is required to fill out that form, they need your ID number. And as noted in the CBP document, it is not at all strange or unusual for them to request it from you. If you fill out the form yourself, you need to include an ID number. I have no idea whether you can get away with an EIN vs SSN, that's really not the point I'm making.

And yes, many times customs does not require submission of the form, in which case you may not be asked for an ID number.

Information needed for importation to US - Advice?

Gopher

Larry S

Gopher

Gopher

Larry S

Gopher

Evitzee

Gopher

Evitzee

Larry S

MRC

Gopher

kkt

Larry S

Dan S

Gopher

Dan S

Gopher

Evitzee

Dan S

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