I bought a watch online and it’s shipping from Switzerland into the USA. I got an email from DHL stating the following and that the shipment is on hold:

Effective Feb 4 any shipment with contents originating from China or Hong Kong and valued over $250 or otherwise requiring a formal entry with U.S. Customs, must have an Importer Number associated with it. This means you will be required to provide your company’s EIN (Employer Identification Number) if you are importing for a U.S.-based business or your SSN (Social Security Number) if you are importing as yourself for personal consumption. As required by US Customs regulation [19 CFR §111.24], such information is kept confidential by DHL Express and must not be shared with any party other than US Customs and Border Protection.

All the following elements are required for entry:

• Federal Tax ID/EIN or Social Security Number for the US Based Importer

• Legal name associated with Tax ID/EIN OR Social Security Number

• Proof of IRS to match the EIN or SSN entered (See attached list for acceptable IRS Proof)

• Address associated with EIN OR SSN

• Type of Address – residential, office building, warehouse, etc.

• Name, title, phone number and email of contact person

Has anybody heard of this? I don’t feel very comfortable sending DHL my Tax returns and my social security card.