Global Business Identifier (GBI)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is launching a Global Business Identifier (GBI) Evaluative Proof of Concept (EPoC) which aims to determine a single identifier solution that will uniquely discern main legal entity and ownership; specific business and global locations; and supply chain roles and functions. EPoC participants are required to obtain and submit three identifiers that provide additional information about trade entities and supply chain locations associated with U.S. imports, to CBP for enrollment into the EPoC and during the Entry process. The three identifiers are: • Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) – owned and managed by the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF) • Global Location Number (GLN)– owned and managed by GS1 • Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) – owned and managed by Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) EPoC participants will also provide applicant information: company/entity legal name, legal entity headquarters and/or manufacturing site address, business phone number (associated with provided address), company website, Manufacture/Shipper Identification Code (MID), and Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) identification number (optional). Automated Broker Interface (ABI) filers (including brokers and self-filers) may be required to complete a GBI enrollment process, via ABI, prior to submitting the identifiers on an electronic entry (CBP Form 3461). Filers are responsible for the associated costs to obtain all three identifiers and will submit each identifier for the following supply chain roles: • Manufacturer / Producer (required) • Shipper (required) • Seller (required) • Exporter (optional) • Distributer (optional) • Packager (optional) Section 484 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S. Code 1484) and Part 141, Code of Federal Regulations, Title 19 (19 CFR Part 141), pertain to the entry of merchandise and authorize CBP to require information that is necessary for CBP to determine whether merchandise may be released from CBP custody. Provisions of the U.S. Code and CBP regulations, in various parts and related to various types of merchandise, specify information that is required for entry. For reference, Part 163, Code of Federal Regulations, Title 19 (19 CFR Part 163 Appendix A) refers to a wide variety of regulatory provisions for certain information that may be required by CBP. By testing the identifiers CBP will take its first step in determining whether to amend regulations to mandate the GBI solution. Furthermore, CBP will understand the utility of collecting and/or combining the identifiers’ data and can make an informed decision on whether to mandate the use of the GBI solution as an alternative for the Manufacturer/Shipper Identification Code (MID)

The latest form for Global Business Identifier (GBI) expires 2029-05-31 and can be found here.