Recently, some sellers have reported that they have received an email from Amazon and that their sales rights have been restricted. The email shows that shipments sent to the UK distribution center need to provide an import entry number (IEN), according to the seller’s “shipment processing progress” Information, sellers need to confirm that they provide IEN information for some or all applicable shipments within 30 days after the Amazon UK fulfillment center first receives each shipment.
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If there is no IEN number
The seller is required to provide valid reasons and select relevant options in the “Shipping Progress” menu. After submission, Amazon will review to ensure that your reasons are valid.
- If Amazon knows that there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the seller has not complied with UK VAT and customs regulations related to imported goods, it needs to notify the UK Customs Authority (HMRC).
- If Amazon has reasonable grounds to suspect that the seller is non-compliant and continues such behavior after 60 days, your “product delivery service will be stopped”
What is IEN?
IEN is a number assigned by HM Customs to goods imported into the UK. There are several different types, but the most common are the “Customs Identification Number (replaces the entry reference number provided by the CHIEF system)” and the S10 barcode.
The Customs Identification Number (MRN) is the IEN format used by the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) and adheres to the standard 18-bit subtitle number format. The first two digits represent the year, the last two digits represent the country/region, and the last 14 digits are randomly generated.
If the goods are shipped through the “Universal Postal Union (local post office)”, then the imported parcel containing the goods must display Century’s S10 barcode.
The barcode consists of a 13-character alphanumeric code and is used for customs clearance. The S10 barcode reference number is provided to the sender by the postal service operator
Where to enter IEN?
Sellers can enter an IEN for shipments that have been created but are not in a closed, deleted, or canceled status. On the “Shipment Processing Progress” page. You can see the status of the IEN next to each shipment subject subject to FHDDS, indicating that the IEN entry is currently “Completed”, “Incomplete” or “Editing permissions are closed”.
Clicking on the IEN status will open a text box. You can enter the IEN corresponding to the freight forwarder, or you can indicate that you do not have an IEN for the shipment. After saving the IEN entry, the IEN status will be displayed as ‘Completed’. If no IEN is provided, the system will Prompt to explain the reason
How to obtain IEN?
As long as the import customs clearance and tax are paid, this code will be on the C88 file; if the customer uses his own VAT for customs clearance, the C88 file will contain an independent IEN code. IEN is only reflected on the C88 file. This number is unique. Generally, it is in the form of terminal code + 7-digit code + date, such as: 071-123456V-27/02/2024
What is a C88 file?
The full name of the C88 document is The Single Administrative Document (form C88). The main customs document form used in international trade is called the Single Administrative Document (SAD), also known as C88 in the UK.
Traders and agents can use SAD to assist with procedures such as import declarations, export declarations, transit or community status declarations.
In the UK, when your goods are cleared for import, the service provider (customs clearance house) will fill in this form and submit it to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for review.
After passing the review, HMRC will release the goods. The so-called C88 document is actually the goods customs declaration. After the goods are cleared and released, you can request the C88 document from the customs clearance bank.
The Import Entry Number (IEN) records the terminal code and date, which facilitates customs supervision and verification of each batch of goods.
In terms of compliance, Amazon is still relatively strict, and sellers still need to pay more attention to compliance.