Tax ID Guide - Format & Restrictions

This article will consolidate relevant Tax ID information for e-commerce merchants. 

We'll Cover:

• What is a Tax ID?
• Current Restrictions 
• Tax ID Format

What is a Tax ID?

A Tax ID in shipping is a general term used to describe a combination of numbers that identify specific citizens in countries that require identification for screening purposes at customs. There may be variations in phrasing depending on the destination country. In some Asian countries, the number is specifically referred to as a TIN (China, Taiwan, South Korea). In Brazil, on the other hand, the tax ID is referred to as a CPF number.

Couriers shipping to certain countries may require a customer's Tax ID to be provided upon shipment creation to ensure smooth customs clearance. Failure to provide a Tax ID for certain countries may lead to issues at customs resulting in return or abandonment. 

Why is a Tax ID Important?

• Decreases transit time: By providing all information necessary for import, the clearance process at customs is sped up drastically. 
• Reduce returns: Many shipments are returned due to a missing tax ID and an unresponsive recipient. Adding a tax ID greatly increases the chances of successful delivery. 

Current Restrictions 

In the spreadsheet below, you will find countries and courier Tax ID policies that will help guide your international shipping strategy on Easyship. 

Required: Shipment cannot be generated on Easyship without a Tax ID entered

Suggested: The user will be notified that a Tax ID is suggested to avoid any issues at checkout

If the Tax ID format is wrong, the app will show the following alert message:

The Tax ID format is not applicable. Enter the correct Tax ID for customs clearance. Please refer to "Learn More" for details.

Tax ID Format 

Find the requested Tax ID format per country below.