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Here's What Happened
 

Hey Everyone,

Here's the latest. I told DHL yesterday via email I wasn't comfortable giving them this type of information unless they could explain to my satisfaction why they wanted it and why it was going to the IRS. I also told them this never happened in previous shipments. I received an auto reply telling me the woman who initially asked for the information was off the balance of the week and also saw she forwarded the matter to another person at DHL.

I contacted that guy and asked the same thing. This morning I received a reply from him so thought I'd just copy and paste it here so everyone can get up to speed on this matter. Seems important we all discuss this so none of us end up in hot water. Here's his reply:

"Tony, the IRS will not be involved, but Customs requires the IRS number for formal entry of the goods. If this shipment is typical of most of your shipments, I can see why you would not have been requested to provide it before. Usually a shipment such as this will clear off the ship's manifest, with no additional details being needed. This one however was placed on hold by US Customs and they subsequently requested the formal entry. That is why we require the IRS for the company. I have pasted some details regarding the need for a US tax ID below, taken from the Customs website,
Tips for New Importers and Exporters - CBP.gov. You can find the same details at the site itself, but here you go."

"CBP entry forms do ask for your importer number: this is either your IRS business registration number, or if your business is not registered with the IRS or you do not have a business, your social security number will be sufficient. As an alternative, you may request a CBP assigned number by completing a Customs Form 5106 and presenting it to the Entry Branch at a CBP port of entry."

I hope this helps to make sense of the request.

Best Regards,
Robert Melius
Clearance Support Lead
NCBFAA Certified Customs Specialist
LAX Gateway

DHL Express
5791 W Imperial Hwy
Los Angeles CA 90045

I've been importing for 3-1/2 years and know it quite well but I look forward to everyone's comments and thoughts as no one person can ever know too much about any matter.

Its because the package is over $2000 Value and was not defined as personal or commercial goods. It is an error in paperwork from the sender. Yes tax purposes. I do not believe it is to prosecute for ⊗⊗⊗⊗ as much as it is avoiding import taxes.

The plot thickens!!! The guy that told me earlier I only needed to provide my business name now came back to me with another email requesting something in writing be faxed or scanned and emailed to him showing my EIN or SS#. There's no way he's getting that. I told him he can return the goods as I was uncomfortable giving out any information like that. Not sure what to think at this point. Guess I'll just reorder through my supplier with a different carrier.

I still think this is your best bet. Suck it up, play the game, and have supplier resend it using alternative info/methods.

DHL is nothing but con's and snakes in the f**kin grass...

The plot does not really thicken.

You are importing sufficent monetary value of goods to be required to supply the relevant info to comply with Federal Customs regulations.

Nothing sinister. Just your importations have caught up with you.

You need to redo your business plan. By the looks of this incident, you have been determined to be an importer. That moves you to a different area.

Go find a tax professional. Dont ignore getting a documented request for ID.

It's a different story from what was stated in your opening post.

For the posters that supplied the inane comments, dont bother to derail a thread again :boink: