Per the Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR) Social Security Numbers (SSN) will
not be accepted as a valid USPPI ID as of December 3, 2009. Any Authorized Agent
that files on behalf of customers using an SSN as the USPPI ID need to notify
their customers that they need to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN).
USPPIs can obtain an EIN by visiting
www.irs.gov/businesses/small and selecting "Employer ID Numbers (EIN)".
Once USPPIs obtain their EIN, they must provide the ID to their Authorized
Agent. Authorized Agents must update any profiles or templates as necessary. On
December 3, 2009, all profiles and/or templates will automatically remove USPPI
IDs that are labeled as SSN. All other information in the profile and/or
template will remain. Filers will need to update these profiles and/or templates
with the EIN of their customers.