CBP Form 5106 Createupdate Importer Identity Form

Use a CBP Form 5106 CREATEUPDATE IMPORTER IDENTITY FORM template to make your document workflow more streamlined.

What CBP Form 5106 does

CBP Form 5106 is used to create or update an importer’s identity information for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It gives CBP and related customs-processing parties a structured record of the importer’s identifying, business, and contact information. The form may be completed electronically in signNow by uploading the applicable document, checking its fields, assigning the authorized signer, and preserving the completed file with an Audit Trail. signNow handles document execution and evidence capture; it does not decide whether CBP accepts a submission or replace customs-broker guidance.

Document upload

Upload the CBP Form 5106 file and prepare it for completion without rebuilding the document from scratch.

Field detection

Auto-detected fields help identify locations for importer information, signatures, initials, and dates before sending.

Signer routing

Assign the authorized importer or representative to the fields requiring approval and signature.

Audit evidence

Collect signer activity, timestamps, and completion history in a retrievable signNow Audit Trail.

Mobile access

Review and complete the form through signNow web and mobile applications on supported devices.

Record export

Export the signed form and associated completion evidence for controlled customs-record storage.

Complete Form 5106 online

Upload the form, verify its fields, route it to the authorized signer, and preserve the completed record.

Upload form:
Upload the current CBP Form 5106 document to signNow.
Check fields:
Review detected fields and add missing importer information fields.
Assign signers:
Assign each field to the importer or authorized representative.
Complete record:
Send the form, monitor completion, and download the signed record.

Use the signNow web app when a trade, compliance, or brokerage team prepares Form 5106 from a managed desktop workflow and needs field review before sending.
Use the signNow mobile app when an authorized importer or representative must review assigned Form 5106 fields and sign from an iOS or Android device.
Use kiosk mode when staff assist an importer at a controlled location, while maintaining clear signer attribution and avoiding shared credentials.
Use a shareable signing link when the authorized signer needs direct access without a manually addressed email invitation, subject to access-control policy.

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Prepare the document

Confirm importer details, responsible party information, and required supporting fields before sending.

Deliver to signers

Upload the completed CBP Form 5106 and assign each required signer in signNow.

Signer turnaround

Signers review assigned fields, authenticate when required, and complete their signatures.

Complete and archive

Download the completed record and retain the signed form with its audit trail.

Setting	Recommendation
Authentication method	Email verification with SMS OTP
Signature type	Electronic signature with signer intent
Audit trail	Enable completion certificate and event history
Document retention	Apply the organization’s customs-record policy
Encryption	TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit and AES-256 at rest

Signer authentication and certificate options

PKI support:

Public-key infrastructure supports certificate-based signing.

X.509 certificates:

X.509 certificates identify certificate-based digital signatures.

Two-factor authentication:

Two-factor authentication adds a second verification step.

SMS OTP:

SMS OTP verifies a signer’s mobile number.

ID verification:

ID verification can strengthen signer attribution.

Signing evidence:

Audit Trails record authentication and signing events.

Authenticate signer:

Records the signer’s email, authentication, and assigned role.

Capture timestamp:

Captures the time each form action occurs.

Hash document:

Preserves document integrity through signed record processing.

Seal record:

Shows whether the completed file changed afterward.

Review events:

Lists views, edits, signatures, and completion events.

Export evidence:

Exports the completed file and Audit Trail together.

Platform requirements for Form 5106

Complete CBP Form 5106 through signNow’s web interface using Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge on Windows or macOS. signNow also provides mobile apps for iOS and Android, allowing authorized users to review assigned fields and sign from supported devices.

Browsers Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge
Desktop systems Windows and macOS desktop access
Mobile access iOS and Android mobile apps

Organizations should manage importer records on approved devices and networks, restrict access through user permissions, and preserve exported signed documents with their Audit Trails. Teams requiring API access, SSO provisioning, or regulated workflows should confirm the applicable signNow plan and configuration before deployment.

Best practices for Form 5106 records

Accurate field review, controlled signer assignment, and paired archival of the form and Audit Trail reduce avoidable customs-processing disputes.

Verify importer identity fields before sending

Compare every legal name, importer identifier, address, and contact field against the organization’s authoritative customs records before sending. Resolve discrepancies internally rather than asking the signer to guess, because the signed document should reflect the information intended for CBP processing.

Control the approved Form 5106 template

Use a reusable signNow template only after confirming the current Form 5106 version and field placement. Lock consistent labels, assign importer-specific fields to the correct signer, and require a reviewer to check the generated document before each customs-related submission.

Archive the signed form and Audit Trail

Export the completed Form 5106 and its Audit Trail together after signing. Store both in an access-controlled repository, restrict downloads to authorized trade personnel, and document the retention rule selected by the importer, broker, or legal department.

Document signer authorization and authentication

Apply signNow authentication proportionate to the importer record’s sensitivity. Use SMS OTP or stronger identity verification where organizational policy requires it, and document who approved the signer assignment rather than treating an email address alone as authorization.

Form 5106 completion challenges

Mismatched legal names, addresses, or importer identifiers can delay review and require a corrected Form 5106 submission.
Assigning the form to an unauthorized employee can weaken evidence that the importer approved the submitted identity information.
Leaving required fields blank creates an incomplete identity record for customs processing and later account maintenance.
Storing the signed form without its Audit Trail makes later verification of signer activity and completion events harder.

Form 5106 troubleshooting questions

Resolve field, signer, plan, security, legal, and record-retrieval issues before submitting importer information.

Upload the current CBP Form 5106 file again and inspect detected fields before sending. signNow templates and field placement help preserve importer data, while the audit trail records later corrections and signer actions. Confirm the final document matches the information submitted to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Use signNow’s signer roles and routing order to distinguish the importer from an authorized representative. The Business plan includes templates and audit trails; stronger identity checks can be configured through available authentication options. Review authorization requirements separately because signNow does not determine who may represent the importer.

signNow’s electronic signatures are supported by ESIGN and UETA compliance features, including signer intent, timestamps, and document history. The federal ESIGN Act, 15 U.S.C. chapter 96, provides legal equivalence for qualifying electronic signatures in interstate commerce. Confirm CBP submission rules separately.

The Business plan is listed at $8 per user per month with annual billing and includes audit trails, templates, and legally binding eSignatures. Business Premium is $15 per user per month annually and adds bulk send. Pricing is separate from CBP filing or brokerage requirements.

signNow encrypts data in transit with TLS 1.2/1.3 and at rest with AES-256. Its compliance information lists SOC 2 Type II certification and ISO 27001 certification. Limit access to importer records by role and follow your organization’s customs-record retention policy.

Export the completed document and its signNow Audit Trail after all assigned fields are finished. The record should show signer activity, timestamps, and document history. Store both files together in an access-controlled repository, then apply the retention period required by your customs, tax, or corporate policy.

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