This guide provides essential information for e-commerce merchants regarding Tax IDs required for shipping, including their formats and restrictions.
What is a Tax ID?
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.
Why is a Tax ID Important?
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Faster Transit: Ensures quicker customs clearance.
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Reduced Returns: Minimizes the risk of shipments being returned due to missing or incorrect Tax IDs.
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.
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
- Foreign passport: W99999999999999999 W9999999999999999x
- Soldier card: J99999999999999
- 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)
|