ACTION REQUIRED: CBP Form 5106 Crackdown: What Importers Need to Know Right Now
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is strictly enforcing data accuracy on Form 5106 under Executive Order 14411. Importers are already seeing their Importer of Record (IOR) numbers voided without warning due to data discrepancies—putting shipments on immediate hold.
Here is what you need to fix before the Sept. 18 deadline to stay compliant.
Why IOR Numbers Are Getting Voided
The primary driver of voided numbers is address inconsistency across government agencies. CBP is cross-referencing Form 5106 against IRS tax filings. If your physical entity details do not match your IRS records line-for-line, CBP flags the profile as high-risk.
Physical vs. Mailing Address Rules
Physical Location Address: Must be your real operational business address matching your official IRS corporate registration. P.O. Boxes and broker addresses are strictly prohibited.
Mailing Address: Where official Customs notices (e.g., Notices of Action) are sent. It must belong directly to your company.
Stricter Power of Attorney (POA) Validation
CBP and customs brokers are enforcing much tighter verification standards for Power of Attorney agreements. Under enhanced enforcement:
Direct Verification: A valid POA must be executed directly between the legal IOR officer and the broker.
Officer & Entity Auth: Brokers must verify the signatory's authority to sign on behalf of the company matching the official Form 5106 entity details.
Strict New Rules & Penalties
Starting in mid-September, CBP is eliminating common shortcuts:
No Broker/Third-Party Data: Contact details must belong to the importer—not your broker.
Heavy Consequences: Inaccurate data leads to immediate IOR voiding. False statements can result in severe fines or legal penalties.
Actions to Take Immediately
Match IRS Records: Ensure your Form 5106 physical address mirrors your IRS corporate registration line-for-line.
Remove Placeholder Contact Info: Confirm email, phone, and address fields belong solely to your company.
Re-Validate Your POA: Ensure your Power of Attorney is signed by an authorized corporate officer and matches your current legal business name and IRS address.
Let ACM Logistics Keep Your Supply Chain Moving
At ACM, we are ready to help you audit your Form 5106 data, verify IRS address consistency, and validate your Power of Attorney (POA). Don't risk shipment delays or voided IOR numbers—reach out to the ACM today to review your records before the Sept. 18 deadline!
