In order to ship merchandise into the US, customs requires the owner of record to have a US Federal Tax ID number. If you are a merchant using Shipwire to ship merchandise for you, then you are the owner of record for anything we receive on your behalf. Merchandise we receive must be free and clear of Customs duties, in order for us to sign for it.
If you do not yet have a Federal Tax ID, then you have two options:
- Incorporate your business in the US: Incorporate online in 2-3 business days.
- Obtain a personal tax id: Call 215-516-6999 for the international bureau of IRS registrations. The number can be issued the same day. You can then call the IRS forms office at 215-516-2000, and ask them to issue a registration confirmation via fax. You can then forward this to your carrier for processing of the import.