CBP explained how importers reactivate a deactivated Importer of Record number
CBP title: Process to Re-Activate a Deactivated Importer of Record in ACE
This message is from June 25, 2026. Later CSMS messages may have changed it. See the latest trade news
What did CBP announce?
CBP announced it was deactivating Importer of Record (IOR) numbers in ACE that had not been used to file entry for a year or more and had no outstanding post-entry transactions. CBP described how to reactivate a deactivated IOR through an ABI broker Transaction Processing message or, if that fails, by emailing a revised CBP Form 5106 to a Center Entry Specialist Team. This affects importers whose IOR number CBP had deactivated for inactivity.
What is Allied's position?
This concerns how importers restore a deactivated IOR number so entries can be filed under it again. Nothing since this message has changed the process as CBP described it. If a client's IOR number is inactive in ACE, we can submit the required Transaction Processing message or Form 5106 on their behalf, but the client should first ask us to check the current status in ACE.
General information, not legal advice.
What does the CBP message say?
In response to the “Strengthening Customs Enforcement” Executive Order, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is exercising its legal authority to deactivate Importer of Record (IOR) numbers in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) that have not been used to file entry for one or more years and that have no outstanding post-entry transactions. This message is a reminder to the trade community of the process to reactivate an IOR number that has been deactivated. Importers seeking to reactivate their IOR numbers should do so in ACE in coordination with their customs broker to avoid potential delays in processing.
To reactivate an inactive IOR, an Automated Broker Interface (ABI) broker should submit a Transaction Processing (TP) message with Action Code A to change the status from “20-Inactive” to “10-Active.” Please remember that all required CBP Form (CBF) 5106 data elements must be submitted with the TP message.
Importers who are unable to reactive their IOR numbers via ABI may submit a revised CBF 5106 with all the mandatory data elements filled out to a Center Entry Specialist Team for manual reactivation. The email to which the CBF 5106 is attached must include “IOR reactivation request” in the subject line and explain in the body that the CBF 5106 is being submitted to reactivate an IOR that already exists, but is currently in “20 – Inactive” status. Once received, the IOR number will be reactivated dependent on the Center’s workload.
Prior to requesting assistance from CBP, please query and verify the current status of the IOR in the ACE Portal Account.
A list of FAQs and available resources can be found on cbp.gov located at: https://www.cbp.gov/trade/programs-administration/entry-summary/cbp-form-5106. (https://www.cbp.gov/trade/programs-administration/entry-summary/cbp-form-5106)
Questions or concerns about CBF 5106 should be sent to IORProgram@cbp.dhs.gov (mailto:IORProgram@cbp.dhs.gov).