What is IEN? IEN Review

Seller backend display

Many sellers have found that today, the backend delivery plan requires an IEN number. This number is a number that comes with the C88 file after VAT customs clearance.

IEN Introduction

This is an Import Entry Number (IEN) assigned to goods by the EU customs authorities when they are imported into the EU. When your shipment enters the EU and is declared to the customs authorities, the shipment will be assigned an IEN. The IEN is issued to the customs declarant, which may be your logistics agent or freight forwarder. There may be cases where an IEN is not assigned to a shipment or you may not be able to obtain these shipments. Please check with your logistics provider/carrier or customs authorities when importing goods.

To put it simply, when using VAT for customs clearance, there will be an IEN code on the C88. If you use the freight forwarder's VAT for customs clearance, there may be multiple people using the same IEN code. In this case, Amazon will suspect that the VAT code bound to your background is inconsistent with the VAT provided by the IEN, and problems are bound to occur.

What is an IEN number?

The IEN number is a string of numbers on the tax form C88 after you declare to the customs. This number is unique. For example: the UK IEN number is the customs declaration number of H2&E2&C88, which is generally composed of terminal code + 7-digit code + date, for example: 071-066808T-28/11/2018

Relationship between IEN and FHDDS

As an approved warehouse service operator, Amazon is required to maintain certain records on behalf of non-EU sellers (with non-EU origin products) in relation to products stored in Amazon's UK fulfilment centres. This regulation only affects sellers who do not have a registered business in the UK or other EU countries.

Therefore, FHDDS stipulates that any import entry number (IEN) of the goods contained in the Amazon backend information must be extracted , that is, the IEN number currently required for sellers to ship in the backend after April 1st.

Frequently asked questions

1. Where do I enter my Import Entry Number (IEN)?

Starting April 1, 2019, you will be able to enter an IEN for shipments that have been created but are not in a Closed, Deleted, or Cancelled status and for shipments created on or after April 1, 2019. You do not need to provide details for shipments that are in a Closed, Deleted, or Cancelled status and for shipments created before April 1, 2019. On the Shipment Queue page in Seller Central, you will see an IEN status next to each FHDDS-compliant shipment indicating whether the IEN entry is Complete, Incomplete, or Closed for Edit (see FAQ - "How long does it take to enter an Import Entry Number (IEN)"). You can click the IEN status to open a text box where you can enter an IEN for the shipment or an IEN indicating that you do not have a shipment. Once you save your IEN entry, the IEN status will show Complete.

2. How long does it take to enter an Import Entry Number (IEN)?

Once you have created a shipment, you have 240 days to go to the Shipment Queue page in Seller Central and add the relevant IENs you received for that shipment (if you have received any). After 240 days from the shipment creation date, the IEN status will show as Closed for Edit. Currently, you can still view your IEN entries, but you can no longer edit them.

3. Can I edit a previously provided IEN?

Yes, you can edit a saved IEN entry within 240 days of the shipment being created. After 240 days, the IEN entry will be locked and cannot be edited.

References

• 1. What is the IEN of Amazon FBA? Without IEN and EORI number, you may have difficulty in customs clearance and be fined! : Sohu [cited on 2019-03-30T16:00:00.000Z]