The Foreign Trade Division of the U.S. Census Bureau requires all Exporters with US Social Security #s, who are shipping household goods and personal effects overseas to obtain a personal EIN (Employer Identification Number) before the shipment will be permitted to be exported from the United States.
The application process itself is quick and simple and can be completed by telephone by calling 1-800-829-4933 or even faster is on-line by following the step-by-step instructions below:
Step-by-step: Apply for an EIN online
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Go to the Internal Revenue Service website at:
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online - In the middle of this webpage, click the blue Apply online now button.
- Click on the Begin Application button.
- Select Sole Proprietor and click the Continue button.
- Again, select Sole Proprietor and click the Continue button. The next page will again ask to confirm, and you will click the Continue button again.
- On the “Why is the Sole Proprietor requesting an EIN?” page, select Banking Purposes (as we are complying with local laws) and click the Continue button.
- Fill out the name, address, and Social Security # fields. Select sole proprietor and click the Continue button.
- Leave the field for Trade Name blank and enter United States as the country where the sole proprietor is located. Select your State of origin and enter today’s date as “Sole Proprietor Start Date”. Click the Continue button.
- Answer “No” to the five questions on this page and click the Continue button.
- Select “Other” for “What does your business or organization do”. This should not be associated with your employer. Click the Continue button once.
- Select “Other” as your business’ activity and type “RELOCATION” in the blank field. Click the Continue button once.
- On this screen select “Receive letter online” and click the Continue button once.
- Review your data on this screen and print a copy for your records. Click the Continue button once.
- Your EIN number will appear on the following screen. Print your EIN confirmation letter from this screen and save it for your records.
Important: While completing your AES Customs Documents, please fill in any of the questions asking for your new EIN. If you have any questions or difficulties in obtaining your EIN, please contact BestGuy Moving, as your shipment cannot leave the United States without this EIN.
