How to obtain a Filer Code that is required for ABI?

How to obtain a filer code: How to obtain a filer code (cbp.gov)

Importers, brokers or carriers seeking a filer code, must write a letter to the Port Director of the port where their entries are filed, to the attention of the Broker Management Officer. If you have operations at more than one port, make your request to the port where you conduct most of your business.

The following information must be provided in the letter:

The company name, phone number, address, and contact person;
The company's federal tax ID or Importer number (if requestor is an individual give their social security number).
The entity requesting a filer code (i.e. importer, exporter or carrier).

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will assign a unique 3 character (alphabetic, numeric, or alpha numeric) entry filer code to all licensed brokers filing CBP entries. CBP will assign an entry filer code to certain importers filing CBP entries based on importer entry volume, frequency of entry filing, and other considerations. The broker or importer shall use this assigned code as the beginning three characters of the number for all CBP entries, regardless of where the entries are filed.

Once assigned a filer code, an importer, exporter or carrier can conduct Customs business under the same filer code whether they’re importing, exporting or a carrier transporting freight in bond from one port to another.

For additional information or to inquire about the status of a request, please contact the broker management officer at the nearest Port of Entry.