Need help with DHL and returning an item to 24s

[lurketylurk]

Hi, I am really frustrated with DHL right now would appreciate some input. I ordered a bag from 24s, didn't like it after it arrived, and requested a return label. DHL picked it up and it was on its merry way to France. Today DHL emailed me to say I needed to provide an employer identification number to "export" the item. I looked at the IRS website and none of the situations described there for how you would use an EIN apply. Not to mention it seems utterly ridiculous that I would have to apply for an employer identification just to send back a bag! Has anyone run into this before/have any advice? I saw an old post here indicating you could use your SSN instead offered that to DHL but they said no. Meanwhile, they are holding a $5000 bag hostage who knows where. Help ?

 

[charlottawill]

Hi, I am really frustrated with DHL right now would appreciate some input. I ordered a bag from 24s, didn't like it after it arrived, and requested a return label. DHL picked it up and it was on its merry way to France. Today DHL emailed me to say I needed to provide an employer identification number to "export" the item. I looked at the IRS website and none of the situations described there for how you would use an EIN apply. Not to mention it seems utterly ridiculous that I would have to apply for an employer identification just to send back a bag! Has anyone run into this before/have any advice? I saw an old post here indicating you could use your SSN instead offered that to DHL but they said no. Meanwhile, they are holding a $5000 bag hostage who knows where. Help ?

Can you ask 24S for help? I am returning a bag to Selfridge's via DHL on Friday. I hope I do not run into this problem. Selfridge's has been very accommodating so far. Maybe there was some error in coding on the return ticket?

 

[lurketylurk]

Can you ask 24S for help? I am returning a bag to Selfridge's via DHL on Friday. I hope I do not run into this problem. Selfridge's has been very accommodating so far. Maybe there was some error in coding on the return ticket?

I contacted them but no response yet. I have never had a problem returning to selfridges, fwiw. But I have also not purchased anything close to this value from them.

 

[charlottawill]

I contacted them but no response yet. I have never had a problem returning to selfridges, fwiw. But I have also not purchased anything close to this value from them.

I hope things get resolved quickly for you. I'd be nervous too.

 

[nicole0612]

Try the directions on these links, they seem to say that an EIN is easy to get and required in such cases:

Employer Identification Numbers: Guidance for Exporting Goods From the United States

Exporting goods from the United States to a foreign country may require having Electronic Export Information (EEI) in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE).

www.census.gov

Employer Identification Numbers: Guidance for Exporting Goods From the United States

Exporting goods from the United States to a foreign country may require having Electronic Export Information (EEI) in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE).

www.census.gov

Summary:
Individuals can eliminate their risk of sharing personal information via the business by using an EIN instead of an SSN. EINs are provided free of charge from the IRS and are used by companies to protect the privacy of an owner’s SSN and other personal information.

An EIN is the most used TIN by companies who employ individuals. However, you do not need to have employees to utilize an EIN. An EIN is not linked or associated with your SSN. As such, it provides additional personal privacy protection by using a different number than your SSN for reporting purposes. You can easily apply online for the EIN through the IRS.

In addition to privacy, there are other advantages to obtain an EIN. You may discover later that you need one – mainly if you plan to expand or restructure your business to a corporation and/or hire employees. If you form a corporation later, you will need an EIN. You also need an EIN when your organization issues employee-related tax forms, such as W-2s. Employers are required to issue W-2s to their employees after the end of each tax year. All payroll-related reports contain your EIN – including monthly, quarterly, and annual tax forms, whether completed by your business or another provider. Not only will your business need an EIN for various purposes, but your employees will also need it when they prepare their tax returns.

Here is how you can get your EIN:

• By phone: 800- 829-4933 / 267-941-1099
• By fax or mail:You can find Form SS-4 here and locate the fax number and mailing addresses for your location on the IRS website.
• On the IRS website: IRS Website EIN Link You can file the SS-4 form online or participate in an “interview-style” live chat that will ask you questions and issue you a EIN if you require one.

How long does it take?

• By phone: immediate
• On the IRS website: immediate
• By fax or mail: up to 4 weeks

 

[smallfry]

Hi, I am really frustrated with DHL right now would appreciate some input. I ordered a bag from 24s, didn't like it after it arrived, and requested a return label. DHL picked it up and it was on its merry way to France. Today DHL emailed me to say I needed to provide an employer identification number to "export" the item. I looked at the IRS website and none of the situations described there for how you would use an EIN apply. Not to mention it seems utterly ridiculous that I would have to apply for an employer identification just to send back a bag! Has anyone run into this before/have any advice? I saw an old post here indicating you could use your SSN instead offered that to DHL but they said no. Meanwhile, they are holding a $5000 bag hostage who knows where. Help ?

Just a thought, as I've never had this experience, but is it possible to supply them with 24s' EIN?

 

[lurketylurk]

Try the directions on these links, they seem to say that an EIN is easy to get and required in such cases:

Employer Identification Numbers: Guidance for Exporting Goods From the United States

Exporting goods from the United States to a foreign country may require having Electronic Export Information (EEI) in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE).

www.census.gov

Employer Identification Numbers: Guidance for Exporting Goods From the United States

Exporting goods from the United States to a foreign country may require having Electronic Export Information (EEI) in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE).

www.census.gov

Summary:
Individuals can eliminate their risk of sharing personal information via the business by using an EIN instead of an SSN. EINs are provided free of charge from the IRS and are used by companies to protect the privacy of an owner’s SSN and other personal information.

An EIN is the most used TIN by companies who employ individuals. However, you do not need to have employees to utilize an EIN. An EIN is not linked or associated with your SSN. As such, it provides additional personal privacy protection by using a different number than your SSN for reporting purposes. You can easily apply online for the EIN through the IRS.

In addition to privacy, there are other advantages to obtain an EIN. You may discover later that you need one – mainly if you plan to expand or restructure your business to a corporation and/or hire employees. If you form a corporation later, you will need an EIN. You also need an EIN when your organization issues employee-related tax forms, such as W-2s. Employers are required to issue W-2s to their employees after the end of each tax year. All payroll-related reports contain your EIN – including monthly, quarterly, and annual tax forms, whether completed by your business or another provider. Not only will your business need an EIN for various purposes, but your employees will also need it when they prepare their tax returns.

Here is how you can get your EIN:

• By phone: 800- 829-4933 / 267-941-1099
• By fax or mail:You can find Form SS-4 here and locate the fax number and mailing addresses for your location on the IRS website.
• On the IRS website: IRS Website EIN Link You can file the SS-4 form online or participate in an “interview-style” live chat that will ask you questions and issue you a EIN if you require one.

How long does it take?

• By phone: immediate
• On the IRS website: immediate
• By fax or mail: up to 4 weeks

Thank you, I did this and it seems to have placated DHL. I do find it incredibly weird that this would be required - hoping it does not cause some sort of issue with the IRS thinking I have a business down the line.

 

[nicole0612]

Thank you, I did this and it seems to have placated DHL. I do find it incredibly weird that this would be required - hoping it does not cause some sort of issue with the IRS thinking I have a business down the line.

You're welcome! It should be ok since it says that it can be used for individuals as well as businesses. What a hassle though!

 

[caannie]

You're welcome! It should be ok since it says that it can be used for individuals as well as businesses. What a hassle though!

I think that when my mother passed I had to get an EIN for her estate from the IRS as well. I think it had to do with the sale of the house. We didn't owe any taxes, but yeah it was a hassle. It's not hard to do, just makes no sense.

 

[ATLbagaddict]

oh man just revisiting this thread as I’m going through the exact same thing currently (and wish I read this thread first!) I used my SSN because the DHl paperwork literally says EIN or SSN, but now I just checked the tracking and it says “Shipment cannot be cleared and permission to return to origin is available. Return entry is being processed by clearance.” So I’m wondering if that’s the reason? I just emailed 24s for guidance as well but what a freaking pain!! “Easy returns” - yeah right, not so much

 

[AllyA15]

I agree it is a huge hassle. If I knew how complicated a return would be I would not have purchased through 24S. And the part that is frustrates me is I checked the website return policy before making a purchase and NOWHERE does it specify that you must provide your social security number, a copy of the front and back of your SS card, and register for an EIN number. The return instructions on their website makes it sound like it is a very straight forward process. The SS number and SS card copy makes me incredibly uncomfortable, I am praying that my SS number is not stolen for the sake of making a return. And registering for an EIN just for the sake of making a return? This all makes zero sense to me. First and only time I will be purchasing from 24s.

 

[BagBySyl]

oh my gosh I have been dealing with this for nearly 2 months on a Fendi bag I purchased for $4300. It came from 24s and was damaged. I have sent back twice now and customs keeps refusing it. I was just notified that it's coming back for a THIRD time. I finally contacted my credit card because 24s isn't replying to customs with the needed information. Now they are saying that the paperwork wasn't "properly" placed on the package! This is a scam

 

[AllyA15]

I had the same problem making a return from the US and was not about to send my SS# with my package, much less a printed copy front and back of my social security card as 24S were requesting. Even the mailing store said that sounded very suspicious and too risky for identification theft. Also the EIN thing is absolutely ridiculous. SO, I emailed 24s to complain and they gave me the 24S EIN number to use. I used that EIN and in the sections where it requests ss number I wrote “I am concerned about identity theft. Please email or call (provided my info) and I will provide”. The package reached 24S without issues. Hope this helps. They should be letting all their customers use their EIN if it is for a return to their company. There is something fishy with them asking we create our own…………I wonder if it has to do with how much taxes they pay or something like that.

 

[AllyA15]

Yes you can! They emailed it to me and I used the 24s EIN.

 

[BagBySyl]

I had the same problem making a return from the US and was not about to send my SS# with my package, much less a printed copy front and back of my social security card as 24S were requesting. Even the mailing store said that sounded very suspicious and too risky for identification theft. Also the EIN thing is absolutely ridiculous. SO, I emailed 24s to complain and they gave me the 24S EIN number to use. I used that EIN and in the sections where it requests ss number I wrote “I am concerned about identity theft. Please email or call (provided my info) and I will provide”. The package reached 24S without issues. Hope this helps. They should be letting all their customers use their EIN if it is for a return to their company. There is something fishy with them asking we create our own…………I wonder if it has to do with how much taxes they pay or something like that.

I have been going back and forth with them since November. They have returned the bag back to me FOUR times. Today it arrived back again. I have already given them my SS number and they want the EIN. I am not budging, this is ridiculous!