Signing Up for Automated Clearinghouse

The procedures for signing up for ACH Debit, ACH Credit and ACH Refund are slightly different:

Signing up for ACH Debit

General Information

• The ACH Debit Application, CBP Form 400, is available online.
• A filer must file entries through the Automated Broker Interface (ABI) using statement processing, and the filer’s bank must be a U.S. bank National Automated Clearinghouse Association's (NACHA) participant with Electronic Data Interchange capability.
• Filers must also have a Federal identification number (tax ID number or Social Security Number submitted to CBP via CBP Form 5106) or a Customs-assigned alternative number.
• Complete a separate application for each account if a filer has multiple accounts/importer IDs.
• If the filer plans to use more than one broker, the filer only needs to identify one broker on the application.
• Be sure all bank information on the application matches the information on the Check Specification Sheet. Please confirm that your bank's routing and account numbers are correct. CBP holds the filer responsible for any errors that result from incorrect account information.

To begin using ACH Debit or to make changes to an existing account, please take the following steps:

Step 1: Fill Out the ACH Debit Application, CBP Form 400 and Send to CBP for Processing

For faster processing, please email the application to ACH-Customs@cbp.dhs.gov.

If you prefer to mail the application, please send the form to:

Please call (317) 298-1200 ext.Please call (317) 298-1200 ext. 1098 if you have any questions.

Step 2: CBP Reviews the Application

After receiving the application, if CBP finds errors, they will reject the application. If CBP finds no errors, they will process it.

For new applications, the process can take up to 15 business days from the date of receipt. For changes to an existing ACH account, filers should allow at least three business days for processing.

Step 3: CBP Creates the ACH Account and Assigns a Payer Unit Number

Once CBP creates the ACH account, CBP will assign the filer a unique PUN, which CBP uses as a security measure. CBP will only share the PUN with the point of contact listed on the ACH Application. Payers will use the PUN to identify themselves when attempting to submit payments.

Signing up for ACH Credit

General Information

• The filer, or the filer’s broker, must file entries through the Automated Broker Interface (ABI) using statement processing, and the filer’s financial institution must be a U.S. bank NACHA participant with Electronic Data Interchange capability.
• The ACH Credit Application, CBP Form 401, is available online.
• Filers can send ACH Credit transactions in one of the following formats:
  • CCD+ Cash Concentration or Disbursement Plus contains a single payment and a single addendum record.
  • CTX Corporate Trade Exchange contains a single payment with multiple addendum records.
• CCD+ and CTX, along with the TXP-Tax Payment addendum format, are required by CBP.
• Filers must also have a Federal identification number (tax ID number or Social Security Number).

To begin using ACH Credit, please take the following steps:

Step 1: Fill Out the ACH Credit Application, CBP Form 401, and Send to CBP for Processing

For the fastest processing, please email the application to ACH-Customs@cbp.dhs.gov.

If you prefer to mail the application, please send the form to:

Please call (317) 298-1200 ext. 1098 if you have any questions.

Step 2: CBP Reviews the Application and Provides Payment Format and Requirements

CBP reviews the application for accuracy. If everything looks correct, CBP provides the filer with a payment format to provide to their bank.

The filer’s bank must test and validate the payment routing and account data by sending a pre-notification transaction with the addendum record. The filer must initiate a pre-note, non-dollar amount ($0), with the addendum record transaction, and must notify CBP of pre-note date. Once the filer completes the pre-note transaction, CBP will notify the filer when they may begin submitting payments.

Signing up for ACH Refund

To participate you must have a federally-assigned taxpayer identification number and an U.S. bank account. ACH Vendor/Miscellaneous Payment enrollment forms may be obtained by contacting the Revenue Division in Indianapolis, IN. Please confirm with your bank, the banks transit routing number and your account number to avoid transactional errors.

Complete an ACH Vendor/Miscellaneous Payment enrollment form. If there are multiple suffixes for the taxpayer identification number and only one depositing account, attach a list of each suffix you want to include to the enrollment form. If there are multiple suffixes for the taxpayer identification number and each suffix will have its own depositing account, you will need to complete an ACH Vendor/Miscellaneous Payment enrollment form for each suffix. Be sure the ACH Vendor/Miscellaneous Payment enrollment form is signed by a company representative. Mail or fax the enrollment form to:

Phone: (317) 298-1200 x 1178
FAX: (317) 290-3167
Email: gmb.achrefundsupport@cbp.dhs.gov
The NFC will contact you in writing by fax and mail to inform you of the effective date of your ACH participation.