I won coins in the previous Naumann auction and they have been held at the local airport FedEx with this note on their tracking site: For years I have gotten mail and FedEx envelopes from Europe without ever having this required. After contacting Naumann and some delay, Naumann finally send me this form to fill out: This is new and not welcome. What's the story? I do not know what triggered this. Why do I need (and they need me to have) "an importer's identification number"?
I have no knowledge on the subject, but found this. https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/198/~/importer-numbers
This is unwelcome news to me as well. "If you do not have an IRS business tax number, you may use your social security number in any paperwork requiring an importer number." This part seems clear. Do you return the 'form' to the US Treasury/Customs?? I suppose the correct 'office' is identified. And, I suppose the 'package' is delayed indefinitely??? And why did this all kick in if.... ......."Goods sent through the international postal service that are under $2500 in value generally do not require an importer number to be cleared through CBP".
When you buy coins from overseas they are supposed to be declared on the CN-22 (or similar) customs form on the envelope. https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/322/~/importing-gold-coins,-medals,-and-bullion (Note that the link says the US prohibits coins from Iran, and no one knows if that includes most Parthian coins or not.) Internet purchases are supposed to include the "country of origin". This is usually not the country where the purchase occurred. https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/internet-purchases Many sellers put Germany as the country of origin, which is wrong, but by the time you get the envelope and find out there seems to be no way to tell US Customs the correct origin. The value or purchase price is supposed to be included. If the shipment is worth more than $2000 I believe they hold it for customs duty. Some coins are exempt. For shipments valued under $200 there is usually no customs duty. It is rare to have to pay the duty and I don't know if this is because few coins have duty or few form CN-22s are filled out properly. I once tried to buy a coin on ma-shops.com and the seller wouldn't ship to the USA. I finally found an IAPN dealer who would do the paperwork and ship through them for a fee. This dealer just forgot to put on the declaration. (It was not a high value coin).
I would get further clarification from Naumann or elsewhere. That form seems to be for an actual importer (business), not for an individual. Not sure. US outgoing has duty free under $2,500, I dont know if the same applies for incoming. This is one reason why I havent bid in Naumann since last year when it took a couple months to get lots.
Furthermore. Even if you get the coins, no problemo, someone somewhere has started a dossier on you. Beware of leaving a paper trail for governments, taxing authorities, and banking officials. And of course, they'll watch for you again...
I've had to fill this out and it does trigger some irritating consequences. I've received notices of state tax being applied to coin purchases, and I've (successfully) fought them each time. Coins should not be subject to state tax but FedEx seems to not have a precise enough category for coins so the government ends up flagging it. The solution has been to just use dealers when buying from certain international sellers, but I am used to seeing an "Audit Initiated" notification in the mail once or twice a year these days.
I have filled this out a few times for in-bound coins from overseas. Paid some customs fees, but very small percentage. 0.3436% min $25 max $485 customs.
