In some countries, providing a Tax ID or National ID is required before a return shipment can be processed. This is a legal requirement set by local customs authorities — not optional.
Customs clearance
Customs authorities use the ID to:
- Identify the person receiving the shipment
- Process the return through government systems
- Match the shipment to official records
Countries that commonly require this include Spain, Italy, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and India, among others. Without this information, customs cannot legally clear the shipment.
Avoiding delays and extra charges
If the ID is not provided:
- A return label cannot be generated
- The shipment may be held at customs
- The return may be rejected
- Additional duties, taxes, or clearance fees may apply
Providing the ID upfront avoids these issues.
Use in shipping documents
The Tax/National ID is:
- Included on the commercial invoice
- Used by carriers (FedEx, UPS, DHL) and customs brokers
- Essential for smooth customs processing
System requirements
For applicable countries:
- The ID field is mandatory
- Labels cannot be created without it
- Customers can update the ID until the label is generated