 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) |
Source |
American Shipper |
Post Date |
03/20/2026 |
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Effective March 20, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is initiating a crackdown on Importer of Record (IOR) numbers, canceling thousands found to have invalid, non-resident, or "shell company" information. This urgent enforcement action targets non-compliant importers to combat fraudulent customs entries, potentially halting shipments for those using unverified third-party IORs.
Key Aspects of the March 2026 Changes:
Mass IOR Cancellations: CBP is auditing and canceling IOR numbers, requiring immediate verification of your importer records.
Physical Presence Requirement: The crackdown aligns with a move towards requiring IORs to have a physical address in the U.S., a U.S. bank account, and U.S. personnel, effectively banning foreign-only companies from acting as the IOR.
Mandatory Correct Information: All entities (consignees, buyers, etc.) on an ACE trade transaction must register properly via CBP Form 5106.
Broker Requirements: Customs brokers must now implement a Power of Attorney (POA) directly with the IOR, bypassing third-party freight forwarders in the signature process.
Action Required:
Verify your IOR: Check that your CBP Form 5106 matches your IRS information.
Contact Your Broker: Verify that your forwarder or customs broker is compliant with the new direct POA requirements.
Audit Third-Party IORs: If you rely on a third-party for IOR services, confirm they have a physical U.S. office to avoid shipment seizures.
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