CROWLEY

This may explain:

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/314/~/importers---social-security-number-%2F-tax-identification-number-%2F-irs-number-%2F

Thanks for the information but here are a couple of points.
The goods where purchased thru Home Depot here on STX and shipped from Home Depot in Puerto Rico.
If the goods where manufactured outside the US then Home Depot or their supplier would have had to clear US Customs when they where originally shipped to the US
Also, as the value of the goods are less that $300 then a formal entry is not required by Customs
And the goods are for personal use and not to be installed or resold by a contractor here on STX
Once again, has anyone else out there had a request for the SSN by Crowley or a STX forwarder ?

In order to clear shipments, one must produce either a business EIN or a personal SSN. Been that way forever.

In many bureaucratic arenas anywhere outside the USVI is classified as "overseas". The guidelines say, "Goods are usually cleared informally when they are for personal use, under $2500 in value, and are not in commercial quantities." The carrier is erring on the side of caution and I don't see a problem with that.

short answer:

yes.

I ship in hay and grain almost weekly... those docks are always fun fun fun!

How come they never ask for your SSN at Paradise Freight or VI Cargo?

How come they never ask for your SSN at Paradise Freight or VI Cargo?

I assume because they picked it up from the docks, not you; you pick it up from them.

I thought it was illegal to use your ss # for anything other then social security purposes. I know it hasn't stopped some from using as an id purpose but supposedly it is technically illegal.

It's not "illegal" to either provide your SS# or for a business to request it:

http://www.identityhawk.com/Who-Can-Lawfully-Request-My-Social-Security-Number

For purpose of bringing personal property from the mainland I had to get EIN number from IRS to put on shipping manifest. That applied to my car and shipping container. I also imported some HD goods from FL worth $1200 and had to furnish EIN.

If you ship to StX from the mainland via a LTL freight forwarder, you do not have to provide your ssn for personal items. Been shipping through forwarders for 25 years, never been asked.

If you ship via Crowley or any of the larger shipping firms you may need to clear the shipment yourself, in which case you may need to pay customs or excise duty (or you may not). In this case you must fill out the forms yourself, or the freight company might do it on y our behalf, so that any tax/duty you pay is attached to your ssn. That is a good thing, especially if you are in business and wish to document the money you pay the gov so as to avoid paying it twice.

I haven't shipped from PR in several years, but it was then routine that I filled out the docs myself and provided my ssn at that time.

For purpose of bringing personal property from the mainland I had to get EIN number from IRS to put on shipping manifest. That applied to my car and shipping container. I also imported some HD goods from FL worth $1200 and had to furnish EIN.

I had to get one, too, in order to ship my car. I think I remember the explanation was that the Feds required it so that my SS number was not shuttling around on so many documents.