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UPDATE TO FINAL RULING: EIN Replaces the Social Security Number as an Identification Number in the Automated Export System (AES)
 

On December 3, 2009, the U.S. Census Bureau amended the Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR) by eliminating a requirement that all transferees holding U.S. Citizenship must report a Social Security Number (SSN) as an identification number when registering to file and filing electronic export information in the Automated Export System (AES) or AESDirect.

In the past, the SSN was used as an identification number principally by individual filers who were exporting household goods and other personal effects from the United States.

The International Association of Movers (IAM), a global association of movers and forwarders, issued a series of instructions, How to obtain the EIN number with the IRS, to assist individuals and companies involved in exporting household goods and personal effects from the United States.

Since issuing their guidance, the IAM has received requests for clarification regarding the following matters:

Question # 1:
Are exporters required to obtain the EIN for shipments to Canada?

Answer:
According to the original Foreign Trade Regulation on this subject, shipments to Canada are exempt and filing electronic export information is not required. This information can be found on page 26 under clause§ 30.36. As the EIN regulation only pertains to EEI entered in the AES, shipments to Canada are therefore exempt.

NOTE: Please remember that if the shipment is moving through Canada for eventual export to another country, EEI must be entered in the AES and an EIN must be obtained.

Question # 2:
When applying for an EIN on behalf of another person, what is required of the third-party applicant?

Answer:
In order to obtain an EIN on behalf of a transferee, the third-party applicant must have
knowledge of the transferee’s Social Security Number and the transferee must complete an SS-4 form (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fss4.pdf) identifying the applicant as the transferee’s third-party designee.

SOURCE: IAM eBLAST

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