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The Complete Guide to CBP Form 5106 (Importer Identity Form)

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Written by Joe Weaver

Joe Weaver has spent nearly a decade reviewing and researching equipment vital to the transportation industry.

Last Modified: February 27, 2025

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The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Form 5106, also known as the Create/Update Importer Identity Form, is a form used to register importers with CBP in the United States. Commercial importers need to submit this form with their first formal entry or when requesting services that result in a bill or refund. Submitting CBP Form 5106 is required to become an Importer of Record (IOR) in the US.

Key Takeaways

CBP Form 5106 collects identity and business details including your name, contact information, how your business is organized, and an identifying number such as a Social Security Number (SSN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN).
Non-US residents who wish to become IORs in the US may request a Customs Assigned Identification Number (CAIN). They may also need to submit documents proving they have a registered business outside the US.
Small errors in your CBP Form 5106 can lead to delays. If this happens, CBP will ask for more information before clearing your goods.
Many importers submit their CBP Form 5106 through customs brokers using the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Automated Broker Interface (ABI).

Our complete guide below covers all of the important details regarding CBP Form 5106, including the information you'll need, a step-by-step guide on how to fill out the form, and more.

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What Is CBP Form 5106?

CBP uses the CBP Form 5106 to keep track of importers’ identification record, per 19 CFR 24.5. This is an important form used for verifying the identity of the importer, tracking their importing history, and ensuring that they are abiding by all the laws for importing into the US. Once you successfully submit the importer identity form, you will be registered as an IOR.

An IOR is the person or business legally responsible for the entry of an import into the US. they ensure all CBP requirements are met and that all duties, taxes, and fees are paid.

When CBP Requires Form 5106

Submitting a Form 5106 is required for importers bringing in their first entry and when requesting CBP services that result in a bill or refund. A formal entry is a type of import that is either intended for commercial purposes or valued at more than $2,500. If your shipment falls under that category, then you’re going to need to fill in and submit this document.

When you change your name, address, phone number, or any other type of personally-identifying information or contact information, you will need to submit a revised 5106 form. Outdated information can create problems like delays, document requests, fines, and holds when you try to import again.

Information Required on The Create/Update Identity Form

The Importer Identity Form can be overwhelming at first glance. The form itself is three pages long, with an additional two pages of instructional information. The document is extremely detailed, and requires you to put in several pieces of information you likely won’t know off the top of your head.

CBP Form 5106 asks for identity, business, and compliance identifiers that CBP uses to match entries to the correct IOR.

Therefore, you should gather these items before you start:

Your name
The name of your business
Your EIN or SSN
The number of shipments you intend to import in a year
Your contact information
Your CBP Assigned Number (if you requested and received one, otherwise you’ll request it here should you need to do so)
Program Codes, if you are affiliated with any CBP Partnership Programs
A description of your business (i.e. LLC, corporation, sole proprietorship)
The year your business was established
Your North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code
Your Data Universal Numbering System (D-U-N-S) Number
Your business’s banking information
Your broker’s information
Date and signature

All of the details that you provide in this importing document are important. If you are filling out the form and there is a section you do not understand or don’t know how to fill in, pause and verify the requirement. You can also ask your customs broker for advice before submitting. Correct identity data is what prevents avoidable holds in the future.

In the tables below, I’ll detail instructions on how to fill out some of the most important information on a CBP Form 5106, step by step.

An infographic titled Step 1: When to submit an update/create importer identity form. The infographic presents the following four reasons to fill out this form:
You plan to import commercial shipments into the US and have not yet registered as an importer with CBP
You’re a registered and active importer of record, but you need to update information such as contact information, business type/name, personal info, etc
Your registration is not active and you wish to renew/reactivate it
You’re requesting CBP services that result in a bill or refund

An infographic titled "Step 2: Name and Identification Information Needed for CBP Form 5106". The information identified and described on the graphic reads as follows:
Full Legal Name
The full legal name of the company or individual requesting IOR registration
Tax ID or SSN
Your Social Security Number or, if you’ve been assigned one by the IRS, your Employer Identification Number
Division/AKA/DBA
If your business is a division of another company, known by another name, or operates under a different name (DBA)
Request a CBP Number (1E)
If you don’t have a tax ID or SSN, you can request a CAIN by selecting the options in this section.
Estimated Imports
The estimated amount of formal entries you’ll import over the next 12 months
Role
Check the boxes that describe how your company’s name and identification number will be used (e.g., Importer of Record, Carrier, etc.)
CBP Partnership Programs
If your company participates in CBP Partnership Programs (like C-TPAT or ISA)

Why CBP asks for this: CBP uses your legal name and identity to match entries to the correct IOR.

Common mistakes to avoid:

Using trade name when CBP needs a legal entity name
Mismatching EIN/SSN formatting
Selecting the wrong role

An infographic titled "Step 3: Address and Location Information"
The information called for under this description reads as follows:

Mailing Address
This is where you want correspondence from CBP to be sent
Physical Location
If your business address is different from your mailing address
Note: This cannot be a P.O. Box.
Contact Information
Your phone number, fax number, email address, and website (if applicable).

Why CBP asks for this: CBP uses this information to contact you about your entry.

Common mistakes to avoid:

Incorrect physical address
Missing address details like suite, floor, and room number
Missing zip code

An infographic titled "Step 4: Detailed Information About Your Business".

The information called for and described in the image reads as follows:

Business Description
A brief description of what your business does
NAICS Code
Your North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code
Dun & Bradstreet Number
Your DUNS number (if available)
Filer Code
If you are a self-filer or broker using your own filer code

Year Established
The year your company was established
Related Businesses
Names and identification numbers of any related businesses
Banking Information
The primary banking information for your company
Articles of Incorporation
The state or country where your business is incorporated and the unique identifying number of your certificate or articles of incorporation
Company Officers
The beneficial owners or company officers with importing and financial knowledge of the company

Why does CBP ask for this: CBP asks for this information to determine the legitimacy of your business and to better establish your identity as an importer.

Common mistakes to avoid:

Wrong business name
Incorrect business structure
Outdated company officers

Once you complete your importer identity form, you’ll need to submit it to CBP.

How to Submit CBP Form 5106

There are a few different ways to file your completed form with CBP. If you are self-filing, you can submit it through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Secure Data Portal. The ACE portal allows importers to submit many different importing and compliance forms, and it streamlines the process considerably.

With that said, the ACE system is not designed for people who don’t have experience importing. The process of importing is incredibly complicated. If you aren’t familiar with the ACE portal, this may not be your best option. By far, the quickest and easiest solution for submitting your Importer Identity Form is to utilize the assistance of a customs broker. Customs brokers use ABI software to file documents with CBP, a far quicker option than is available to everyday importers.

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Our Expert Licensed Customs Brokers [(855)-912-0406] will tell you exactly what information/documents are required (EIN/IRS name match, address, entity type) before you submit.

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What If My Shipment is Being Held by Customs?

A shipment being held by customs might have been flagged by CBP due to a missing or inaccurate 5106 importer identity form. CBP may need identity verification, entry corrections, or additional documentation.

If they take issue with your 5106 form, take these steps:

Confirm reason for your hold
Verify your identity
Submit a corrected 5106 Form or update your existing one
Respond to any CBP request for supporting documents

Remember that this form informs CBP of your identity. Without it, your commercial shipments will not clear customs. CBP won’t let anything pass through a port of entry unless it abides by all the rules and regulations for importing.

If you need help creating a new one (or correcting an incorrect or incomplete form), then don’t hesitate to reach out to a customs broker for help. A broker can help you complete the form quickly so you can get your shipment moving again in no time.

It’s important to note that even if your shipment is held in customs for a different reason, a customs broker will be able to find out exactly what you need to do to get your cargo released.

Get Help Filling Out CBP Form 5106

Helping people import into the US is what we do here at USA Customs Clearance. Whether you’re looking to buy a customs bond to insure your shipment, or you need help understanding customs regulations, you can count on us.

Our customs brokers are skilled at filing CBP Form 5106 and all other importer documentation quickly and correctly, to save you time and stress. Fill out your application today and we’ll work to submit your information as quickly as possible.

If you’re in need of assistance,give us a call at (855) 912-0406.

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