Selling to U.S. customers is a powerful way to grow your business. However, if you’re located outside the United States, you’ve likely faced the frustrating roadblocks of customs clearance and regulatory red tape. For many international sellers, the process of importing goods into the U.S. feels confusing, expensive, and dependent on third-party middlemen.
Fortunately, there’s a smarter and more affordable path: obtaining a CBP-assigned importer number and clearing customs independently. With platforms like eezyimport, this once-complicated process is now streamlined, transparent, and tailored for sellers looking to sell directly to U.S. customers.
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What Is a CBP-Assigned Number?
A CBP-assigned number, issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), is a unique identifier that allows non-U.S. entities to act as the Importer of Record (IOR) when shipping goods into the United States. This means that as a foreign seller, you don’t need to rely on a U.S.-based distributor or logistics provider to handle customs clearance on your behalf.
With a CBP number, you are in control of your shipments, compliance, and costs.
The Old Way: High Fees, Limited Control
Traditionally, many sellers outside the U.S. have paid American companies to act as the Importer of Record. This arrangement often comes with hefty fees, limited transparency, and a loss of control. These intermediaries might charge thousands of dollars annually to “lend” you their company name and number so you can get your goods into the country.
What’s more, these arrangements often leave sellers in the dark. You don’t always know what’s happening at the port, and you may not have direct access to compliance documentation, delivery timelines, or customs updates.
The Better Way: Your Own CBP Number with eezyimport
Here’s where eezyimport makes a game-changing difference. Instead of depending on third parties, eezyimport allows non-resident importers to apply for a CBP-assigned number directly through the platform. The process is:
- Fast: Complete the application in just a few steps online.
- Affordable: A fraction of the cost of working through intermediaries.
- Simple: No complex paperwork. The platform walks you through everything.
- Transparent: You’re in full control of your shipment and your data.
Once you have your CBP-assigned number, you can use eezyimport’s digital platform to file:
- Importer Security Filing (ISF)
- Customs Entries
- Purchase Customs Bonds
- Purchase Marine Insurance
- Track shipments in real time
- Store compliance documentation securely
All without relying on an expensive U.S.-based proxy company.
Why It Matters for Sellers
Having your own CBP-assigned number unlocks a series of competitive advantages:
- Sell Directly to U.S. Buyers: Whether you sell on Amazon, Shopify, Etsy, or your own eCommerce platform, you can now ship directly to U.S. customers without involving a local partner.
- Save on Costs: Skip the steep IOR service fees and handle customs clearance at eezyimport’s cost-effective flat rates, starting as low as $18 for ISF filing.
- Improve Speed and Transparency: No middleman delays. You see everything and control the timeline.
- Build Brand Trust: When you act as the official importer, you’re demonstrating responsibility and professionalism to your customers and partners.
Navigating 2025 Tariff Changes
Recent U.S. tariff adjustments have significant implications for international sellers:
- A 10% universal tariff on nearly all imports into the U.S., effective April 5, 2025
- A 145% tariff on imports from China
- A 25% tariff on all imported automobiles and parts
- An end to de minimis exemptions for shipments under $800 from China and Hong Kong, effective May 2, 2025
These changes have led many eCommerce businesses to establish entities in the U.S. to mitigate costs and maintain market access. By obtaining a CBP-assigned number through eezyimport, sellers can navigate these challenges more effectively.
See the eezyimport Difference
At eezyimport, our goal is to empower businesses around the world with the tools they need to import smarter. Our customers have consistently rated us 4.8 stars on Trustpilot for a reason: we provide clear, affordable, and supportive service at every step.
Whether you’re shipping electronics from Shenzhen, handmade goods from India, or apparel from Europe, eezyimport offers the most direct, affordable route into the U.S. market with no middlemen, no inflated costs, and no surprises.
Start Today: Be Your Own Importer
Getting a CBP number through eezyimport is simple. And once you’re set up, you’ll never have to rely on someone else to import your goods again.
👉 Ready to become your own importer and unlock the U.S. market? Visit https://www.eezyimport.com/cbp-assigned-number/ and apply for your CBP number today.
Read more on other topics:
AI-Assisted Customs Classification: The Governance Controls Importers Should Build Before Scaling
CBP’s Supply-Chain Visibility Proposal: Why Import Data Is Becoming a Strategic Capability
Mid-Year Import Health Check: Is Your Import Process Ready for the Second Half of 2026?
Two Recent CBP Rulings Every Importer Should Know About
