A Tax ID is a unique number used for customs screening during shipping. Different countries have various terms and formats for these IDs. Not providing the correct Tax ID can result in delays, returns, or the abandonment of shipments.
Reduced Returns: Minimizes the risk of shipments being returned due to missing or incorrect Tax IDs.
Whose Tax ID Should You Provide?
The recipient (the person or business receiving the shipment in the destination country) is the legal importer, and customs authorities require their Tax ID for clearance in many countries. Providing the correct recipient Tax ID ensures the shipment complies with import regulations and avoids unnecessary holds or returns.
Where to Enter the Recipient Tax ID
When creating a shipment in Easyship for a destination country that requires a Tax ID:
In the shipment creation form, locate the Tax ID field on the address or customs details section.
Enter your recipient’s Tax ID (e.g., CPF, RUT, VAT/EORI, etc.) according to the country’s format.
Ensure it matches the format and type specified in the list below.
If the Tax ID format is wrong, the app will show the following alert message:
Enter the correct Tax ID for customs clearance. The Tax ID format is not applicable. Please refer to "Learn More" for details.
Tax ID Format
Each country requires specific formats for Tax IDs. Below are some examples:
Country
Format
Brazil
Individuals:
CPF Tax ID (format with 11 digits: 000.000.000-00)
Passport Number
Business:
CNPJ Tax ID (format with 14 digits: 00.000.000/0000-00)
Chile
RUT / RUN numbers (format with 9 digits: (00.000.000-X)
China
Individuals
Chinese ID card: 999999999999999999 99999999999999999x
Chinese passport: C99999999999999999 C9999999999999999x
Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong Residents: H99999999999999999 H9999999999999999x
Mainland Travel Permit for Macau Residents: M99999999999999999 M9999999999999999x
Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents: T99999999999999999 T99999999999999999
Entity:
999999999999999 (old TIN) 999999999999999999 (new TIN) 99999999xxxxxxxxxx (new TIN)
Indonesia
Individuals:
Indonesian ID Number (NIK - Nomor Induk Kependudukan) for Indonesian Nationals (format: with 16 digits: 0000000000000000)
Indonesian Driver’s License, for Indonesian Nationals or Foreigners (format with 13 digits: X000000000000)
Passport Number, only for Foreigner
Business:
Indonesian Tax ID Number / NPWP (format with 16 digits: 0000000000000000)
South Korea
Individuals:
Resident Registration Number (format with 13 digits: XXXXXX-XXXXXXX)
Business:
Business Registration Number (format with 10 digits :XXX-XX-XXXXX)
Corporation Registration Number (format with 13 digits: XXXXXX-XXXXXXX)
Taiwan
Individuals:
National ID card (format with 10 digits: X000000000)
Unified ID (format with 10 digits: XX00000000)
Tax Code for individuals of Mainland China or others (format with 7 digits: 9000000 / 10 digits: 00000000XX)
Business:
BAN (format with 8 digits: 00000000)
Argentina
Individuals:
Tax ID number (CUIT) (format with 11 digits: 00-00000000-0)
Employment ID number (CUIL) (format with 11 digits: 00-00000000-0)
ID Number (CDI) (format with 11 digits: 00-00000000-0)
Passport Number
South Africa
Individuals:
South African ID Number (format with 13 digits: 0000000000000)
South African Tax number (format with 10 digits: 0000000000)
Passport Number
Saudi Arabia
Individuals
Tax ID number (format with 15 digits: 000000000000000)
Turkey
Individuals
Tax ID number (format with 10 digits: 0000000000)
Germany
Individuals:
Tax ID number (Steuer ID) (format with 11 digits: 00-000-000-000)
Business:
Tax number (Steuernummer) (format with 10/11 digits: 00/000/00000)
VAT number (Umsatzsteuer-Id) (format with 11 digits: DE000000000)
FAQs
The recipient (the person or business receiving the shipment in the destination country) is the legal importer, and customs authorities require their Tax ID for clearance in many countries. Providing the correct recipient Tax ID ensures the shipment complies with import regulations and avoids unnecessary holds or returns.