Dear friends,

Following recent changes to U.S. customs regulations, new importer identification requirements are being applied to internationalshipments entering the United States. We put together this page to providecontext and guidance on these changes, what to be aware of, and what to expectwhen you receive your MING watch or accessory (or, for that matter, many otherinternational shipments moving forward).

For shipments requiring formal customs entry, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires FedEx and DHL to provide anidentification number for the U.S. recipient. Formal entry generally applies toall shipments from MING.

For an individual recipient, the required number is typically a Social Security number (SSN). For a shipment addressed to a business, it is normally the company’s IRS Employer Identification Number(EIN). Depending on the recipient’s existing customs registration, FedEx, DHL, or U.S. Customs may also request a completed CBP Form 5106. This form creates or updates the recipient’s importer identity in CBP’s records.

While providing the required identification is mandatory, we’ve noticed some inconsistencies in how the policy is enforced. In most cases, FedEx or DHL will reach out to you directly for this information, but in some shipments, they request that we provide this information. In these instances, we will reach out to you and request this information.

According to current FedEx guidance, a formal-entry shipment missing the recipient’s EIN or SSN may be indefinitely held by U.S. Customs and returned to the sender. These are both outcomes we want to avoid, as it means additional costs and delays in getting your watch, strap, or Polymesh on your wrist.

The identification number is used to identify the recipient for customs-clearance purposes. Providing it does not replace any applicable customs duties, taxes, forms, or supporting documents that U.S Customs may separately require.

We understand that these changes may be frustrating – unfortunately, they are out of our direct control at this time. We are looking into longer-term options to make purchases and deliveries easier for our American customers, but for the moment, please expect longer shipping and clearance times, as well as requests from FedEx or DHL for your SSN or EIN.

Thank you,
Team MING