Jaguar Freight | Your Importer of Record Number Could Be Voided Starting September 18

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Beginning September 18, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will start voiding importer of record numbers when the data on file in CBP Form 5106 is inaccurate or incomplete. You cannot use a voided number on any entry, and CBP can stop merchandise at the port with no advance notice.

This follows Executive Order 14411, signed in June 2026 to strengthen customs enforcement. Earlier this year, CBP deactivated roughly 4.8 million inactive importer accounts. The Form 5106 review is the next step in that effort. CBP has identified three fields it is checking most closely: the importer’s physical business address, email address, and phone number. All three must belong to the importer directly, not a customs broker, freight forwarder, registered agent, or P.O. box.

The risk extends beyond delayed shipments. CBP is treating inaccurate importer data as material to government payment obligations. This creates potential liability under federal false statement law and the False Claims Act, in addition to standard customs broker penalties.

Importers should take the following steps before September 18.

1 – Pull your current Form 5106 record, either through your broker or directly through the ACE Secure Data Portal, and verify the three fields listed above.

2 – Confirm the email address on file is one your team actively monitors, since CBP will use it to notify you if a number is at risk.

If your power of attorney was set up through a forwarder, review it to confirm the contact details belong to your business. Importers may also want to enroll in ACH for direct duty payments and refunds, and evaluate CTPAT participation given the increased scrutiny.

Additional Reading: Importer Create/Update Identity Form (CBP Form 5106) FAQ — U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Compliments of Jaguar Freight – a member of the EACCNY