U.S.Importer of Record (IOR)

Reinstatement After VOID Status

Pathway A — Filing Directly with CBP

 

This guide is for importers who submit the reinstatement package directly to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), without going through a customs broker.

Your IOR status has been voided by CBP. Until reinstatement is approved, you cannot legally clear goods through U.S. Customs. Follow the steps in this guide to restore your status. You will need to prepare three documents and submit them directly to CBP.

Document 1 — Original EIN Letter

 

Your Employer Identification Number (EIN) letter is the IRS confirmation of your company's federal tax ID. CBP uses it to verify your company's identity in their system.

• Provide the original letter issued by the IRS (Form CP 575 or equivalent).

• If the original is lost, call the IRS at1-800-829-4933 to request a 147C verification letter as a certified replacement.

• Photocopies or screenshots are not accepted. Confirm with CBP whether a 147C is acceptable before submitting.

 

Document 2 — Photo ID of the Signing Officer

 

The officer who signs CBP Form 5106 must provide a copy of a valid, U.S.-recognized government-issued photo ID.

 

Accepted forms of ID:

• U.S. Driver's License

• U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)

• Chinese Passport with a valid U.S. work visa (e.g., H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN)

• U.S. Citizen Passport

 

✖ NOTACCEPTED:B-1 / B-2 Tourist Visa holders are NOT accepted. A tourist visa does not establish legal authority to act as a corporate signing officer for customs purposes.

 

What if no officer currently holds qualifying U.S. immigration status?

 

You must appoint a U.S.-status individual as a formal corporate officer (e.g., Director or Vice President) by filing an update with your Secretary of State before submitting to CBP.

 

 

Use the relevant state portal below to update your officer roster. Filing typically takes 10–15 minutes online:

California—Bizfile Online(Statement of Information):https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/

New York—NYDOSeCorp(Biennial Statement):https://ecorp.dos.ny.gov/

New Jers— NJ Division of Revenue (Annual Report):https://www.njportal.com/DOR/annualreports/

After filing, include a copy of the updated state filing with your CBP submission.

 

Document 3 — CBP Form 5106

 

CBP Form 5106 (Create/Update Importer Identity Form) is the core filing that establishes or updates your company's importer profile in CBP's Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) system.

 

Download CBP Form 5106:https://www.cbp.gov/document/forms/cbp-form-5106-createupdate-importer-identity-form

 

How to complete Form 5106:

• Signatory: Must be a registered corporate officer with qualifying U.S. immigration status. Recognized titles: CEO, President, Vice President, Secretary — as registered with your state.

• Date: Enter the actual date you are completing the form. No backdating is required or permitted.

• Officer name and title: Must match exactly what is on file in your state's Statement of Information (SOI). CBP cross-checks these records.

• Phone number: Must be a working number that can be reached. CBP may call to verify your filing.

• Email address: Must be an active, monitored inbox. CBP may send correspondence to this address.

 

⚠IMPORTANT: CBP directly cross-references the officer information on Form 5106 against your state SOI filing. A mismatch — even a title variation such as 'VP' vs. 'Vice President' — will cause CBP to reject or delay your reinstatement. Update your state records first, then complete Form 5106.

 

 

Document Checklist

 

#	Document	Requirement	CriticalNote
1	Original EIN Letter	IRS CP 575 or 147C replacement letter	✔ Original preferred; 147C if lost
2	Photo ID of Signing Officer	U.S. Driver's License/GreenCard/ Work Visa Passport/U.S. Passport	✖ B-1/B-2 visa not accepted
3	CBP Form 5106	Signed by registered officer; matches state SOI; active phone & email	✔ Dated day of completion

 

 

Step-by-Step Submission

 

1. Verify that your signing officer is currently listed in your state's Statement of Information (SOI). If updates are needed, file online before proceeding — CBP will reject any filing where the officer information does not match state records.

2. Obtain the original EIN letter (or request a 147C from the IRS if the original is unavailable).

3. Make a clear copy of the signing officer's qualifying photo ID.

4. Download and complete CBP Form 5106. The officer who signs must be the same person whose ID you are providing.

5. Assemble the complete package: EIN Letter + Photo ID + CBP Form 5106. Submit all three together. Incomplete packages will be returned.

6. Email your complete package directly to CBP at  [email protected],Use the following email subject line exactly:“Voided IOR number XX-XXXXXXXXX VT”(replace XX-XXXXXXXXX with your actual voided IOR number). Retain copies of every document you submit.

7. Follow up with CBP at the contact provided at submission. Respond promptly to any requests for additional information.

 

 

This guide is provided as a procedural reference only. CBP requirements are subject to change. Always confirm current requirements with CBP before submitting.