The People’s Republic of China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC) has issued a new rule effective June 1, 2018. The new rule requires the provision of new data elements related to goods being imported and exported from China. One of the new data portions that is now required is the Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Central Index Key (CIK) of US based shippers and forwarders. Also accepted is the equivalent government identification for shippers and forwarders in other countries.
We do understand the concern of many parties for disclosing the company EIN information, but we do not believe there is any breach of personal data as the EIN is not tied to an individual. Per our industry organization, NCBFAA (National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, Inc) and their legal department has advised they are not aware of any law prohibiting the disclosure of EINs, especially when the EIN is required by a government authority to proceed with an export or import of your cargo.There should not be any objection from shipper’s and forwarder’s for providing the EIN as it is a matter of public record. The EIN information is required to be included on the air waybills and ocean bills of lading we prepare on your behalf.
If you have further concerns or questions regarding this new requirement with China, please contact our office today.
Why This Matters
This regulatory update is part of China’s broader initiative to improve transparency, security, and traceability in its import and export operations. The GACC’s updated Advance Manifest Rule applies to all cargo entering or leaving China by air and ocean freight.
For U.S. businesses, this means that compliance with the new rule is mandatory and must be handled before cargo is accepted for shipment. Submitting accurate and complete data, including the correct EIN, will ensure that goods are not delayed or refused entry.
What Is an EIN and Why Is It Required?
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a unique number assigned by the IRS to identify a business entity. Though it may sound sensitive, it’s not tied to any individual and is often publicly available for registered companies. In this context, the EIN is used to identify the party responsible for the shipment and is necessary to fulfill China’s new electronic manifest submission requirements.
This rule is not unlike regulations implemented by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which also require pre-shipment data for import security filings.
Impact on Shipping
Failure to provide this data can result in:
- Delayed or denied cargo entry into China
- Additional fees or compliance-related penalties
- Missed shipping windows and contract delays
- Supply chain disruptions, especially for time-sensitive shipments
How Jade International Supports Compliance
At Jade International, we’re staying ahead of compliance changes so you don’t have to. When you book your cargo through us, we ensure that:
- All required data fields, including EINs, are captured accurately
- Your shipping documents meet GACC’s standards
- You receive proactive communication if any updates are needed
- Our team reviews your documentation to avoid costly errors
Let’s Make Compliance Easy
If you’re concerned about your EIN being shared or are unsure how this update impacts your supply chain, we’re here to help. Our compliance experts are available to walk you through the new process and answer your questions.
