Obtaining an EIN number can be a lengthy and complex process. As a foreign importer, it is important to know that although it is not mandatory to have one to import into the United States, it is much simpler and cheaper to obtain one than to file the required paperwork to import without one. As an Amazon seller, this also applies. We recommend planning early and securing an EIN number as soon as possible. A U.S. resident can secure their EIN number in a matter of minutes by visiting the IRS website at: https://sa.www4.irs.gov/modiein/individual/index.jsp
What is an EIN number?
An EIN number is a United States government issued tax identification number. This number is used to track and receive business income taxes. As an Amazon seller, you will need an EIN number when creating your professional sellers account in the United States. A foreign importer is unlikely to have a SSN, (Social Security Number), or ITIN, (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), which necessitates an EIN instead.
How to Obtain an EIN Number
If disposable income is not a concern, services exist to complete the task on your behalf, however, to save yourself some money, please follow the steps below to attain your own EIN number. If importing will be done on a regular basis, the ease having your own EIN number will afford you is invaluable.
Step 1: Get a U.S. Mailing Address
Perhaps you have a friend or relative in the states willing to lend you the use of their address. If not, hiring a service to receive your U.S. mail and packages is the way to go.
Step 2: Complete IRS Form SS-4
Completing this form is purely for your reference during your phone call to complete the process. You may choose to actually submit the completed form by mail to the IRS, but if any errors exist, it will likely be rejected and the project will need to be started again. It also takes up to 30 days to clear! It is much easier to complete this process by telephone.
The form, and instructions, is here: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fss4.pdf
Step 3: Placing the Phone Call to the IRS
Now that you have secured your U.S. postal address, and have completed the SS-4, you will need to place the hour-long phone call to the IRS. Be prepared for wait times from 15-45 minutes, and be prepared with enough Skype of Google Voice credit to sustain the call, as it is NOT toll-free. The number is +1 267 941 1099, between the hours of 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. EST, (GMT-5:00), Monday through Friday.
During the phone call:
Press 1 for a foreign EIN number
After your wait, tell the agent you need an EIN number for a sole proprietorship
The agent will ask if you have filled out your SS-4 form, followed by a few more simple questions about your business
After all of the necessary answers are provided, you will be issued your EIN number.
Write your EIN number down and keep it in a safe, easy to remember location. You will receive a copy in a few weeks at your U.S. postal address.
Congratulations! You have survived the process of obtaining your own EIN number.
Or
Contact us directly we will help you apply EIN
Q: I am not in China but my products need to be shipped to Amazon. Also I am not a USA citizen. Can you handle the shipping and custom clearance for us?
A: Yes, of course. This is what we do. We provide a one stop shipping service for our customers. We use our company as the importer in order to help you import the cargo to each FBA warehouse. You don’t need to provide any documentation to customs.
We also have a strong worldwide network so, no matter where your cargo is, we can ship it for you to any FBA address across all of North America, Europe as well as throughout Asia.
Q: I want the fastest air shipping. Which courier is fastest and how many days will it take?
A: Normally DHL is faster than UPS, taking 4-5 working days. UPS takes around 7-9 days however DHL is more expensive than UPS.
Q: My supplier doesn’t know anything about FBA! Can you help us by applying the product labels and outer box labels before sending out?
A: Yes, we can. We help lots of our customers by adding the labels before shipping out. You can trust us to get it right as we have huge experience and understanding of the FBA process.
Q: How many days does it usually take to ship and deliver by sea?
A: Sea shipping normally takes 30-40 days until delivery to FBA. Your cargo needs to be at least 1CBM in size to be worth sending by sea.
Q: Why can’t our shipment be delivered even though our ship has arrived at the destination port?
A: All LTL or Sea shipments require a delivery appointment to be arranged with Amazon. Amazon will provide us with a delivery appointment and we can only deliver at that time.
Q: Do we need to palletize shipments at the point of origin or before you receive them?
A: No, that’s not necessary. We can palletize your cargo in either our origin or destination warehouse depending on Amazon’s delivery requirements.
Q: If we use your shipping service to FBA, do we need to purchase a continuous bond?
A: No, again that’s not necessary. We can help you if you do not already have a continuous bond.
Q: We have friends who are also Amazon sellers. Do you think we an ship cargo together to save costs?
A: Yes, you can and you will save on shipping costs this way.
Q: How do we make payments to you?
A: For air shipping you can make payment via T/T of through PayPal. After we receive your payment we will arrange to ship your cargo.
For sea shipping we will issue you an invoice after your cargo passes custom clearance, Payment can be made by T/T to our USD bank account.
