Newsflash: U.S. Customs (“CBP”) Voiding Importer of Record Numbers

May 7, 2019

Dear Valued Customer,

Please be advised, that U.S. Customs (“CBP”) has begun voiding Importer of Record numbers that they deem to be inactive. CBP considers an Importer of Record number that has not been used in over one year and does not have any pending Customs transactions associated with it to be inactive and thus voided. A system update will occur to void these inactive records. Clients that do not import on a regular basis may be particularly susceptible to having their numbers voided and are advised to review their information.

Instructions for reinstating an importer number can be found below. The process will take a minimum of 5 days to resolve and could impact shipments subject to storage. Please allow at least 5 business days to process an application to reinstate a voided importer record.

How do I reactivate an importer record that has been voided by CBP?

Email a completed CBP 5106 along with a valid importer record proof and Power-of-Attorney that is no more than one year old (if 5106 is signed by an Attorney-in-Fact) to bondquestions@cbp.dhs.gov with subject line “Void IR#”.
1. CBP Form 5106 must be signed by an officer of the company or a broker with power-of-attorney (POA).
Relative to the type of importer record number, the following documents are acceptable proof:
1. Social Security Number (SSN)
2. Employee Identification Number (EIN)
3. Note: W-9 applications, SS-4applications, State documents, and any documentation submitted to the IRS are unacceptable.
S. CBP Assigned Number – There is currently no documentation provided by CBP when issuing a CBP-assigned number. Only a completed CBP 5106 form and POA if signing on behalf of an importer, are required.
CBP will not contact importers or agents once an account is reactivated. To learn the status of your reactivation, please query CBP systems to validate that the account has been reactivated.
1. A CBP representative will contact you if there is an issue regarding the documents you submitted for reactivation.

Additional information about the CBP Form 5106 is also available on cbp.gov (https://www.cbp.gov/trade/programs-administration/entry-summary/cbp-form-5106). Contact the Surety Bonds & Accounts helpdesk at (317) 614-4880. If you reach the voicemail, a CBP representative will respond within 2 business days.

If you have any questions, you may reach out to your local Masterpiece International representative or compliance@masterpieceintl.com.

Thank You,

Tariff Updates & Trade Compliance Updates

CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) is moving fully electronic: After nearly 28 years of issuing paper checks, CBP will transition all refunds to electronic payments beginning February 6, 2026, with only limited exceptions.
Act Now to Avoid Delays: With a short window to prepare, importers should act now to prevent disruptions to duty drawback claims, Post Summary Corrections (PSC), and other post-entry refunds. Importers already enrolled in the electronic refund program should review their setup to ensure payments are received without interruption.
Supreme Court Update – Value of Services (VOS) Selections: While no decision has been issued, importers may want to prepare for potential changes. If favorable, IEEPA tariffs could no longer apply, though refunds would require documentation and follow-up. Keeping detailed records and ensuring electronic refund information is current can help you stay ready.

Helpful U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Resources to Get Started:

CBP Trade Portal Account: Use this portal to manage your trade account, update company information, and oversee electronic transactions with CBP. This is the primary platform for maintaining refund eligibility.
Modernized Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Importer Account Application: This application allows importers to establish or update their trade account, a required step for enrolling in electronic refund payments.
Automated Clearing House (ACH) Refund Enrollment Guidance: U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s official guidance explains how to enroll in ACH for electronic refunds, including key requirements, timelines, and system updates importers should be aware of.

How Imperative Logistics Can Support You:

Electronic Refund Readiness: We provide guidance to help ensure your trade portal access and ACH electronic payment setup are ready for CBP’s new electronic refund process. The trade portal is U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s online system for managing import and export activity, while ACH is the banking network used to receive refunds electronically.
Refund & Post-Entry Guidance: Our team can help clarify how to track refunds and manage post-entry processes under CBP’s updated electronic-only refund requirements.
Third-Party Authorization Support: For importers who work with brokers or other third parties, we provide guidance on properly designating authorized parties under CBP rules.
Keeping You Informed: We monitor CBP notices, Federal Register updates, and regulatory trends, turning complex information into clear, actionable guidance so your business can stay compliant and prepared.

Have questions about how these tariff changes affect your shipments? Our team of experts is ready to provide guidance, please Contact Us anytime. For further details, please consult the latest Tariff Update and Reciprocal Tariff List for comprehensive information.

View the latest Tariff Information: