What is a Manufacturer’s Identification (MID) Code?
MID code is one of the required information for import clearance into the United States.
It’s a unique code used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to identify the manufacturer (or the maker/producer) of the goods being imported, and is required for U.S. Customs entries for textile, apparel, and certain FDA-related shipments after the removal of the 800 USD de minimis exemption on 29 August 2025.
Why is the MID Code Important?
Customs requirement: U.S. Customs requires an MID Code for almost every import entry.
Faster clearance: Having a valid MID reduces the risk of delays during customs clearance.
Trade compliance: It helps the U.S. government monitor supply chains and enforce trade laws.
How to generate a MID code?
To generate a Manufacturer's Identification code (MID code), you need to make sure your manufacturer has provided their full business name and address. Once you have all those details, you need to put together the MID code in the following order:
Country: Up to 2 characters.
Identify the two-letter ISO code for the country.
Manufacturer Name: Up to 6 characters.
For a one-word manufacturer name, take the first three characters.
For a manufacturer name with two words or more, take the first three letters of each of the first two words.
Ignore these common words: “a”, “an”, “and”, “of”, “the”, "PT", and punctuation.
Address: Up to 4 characters.
Take the highest numbers, up to four from the address line and number.
Can be ignored if the address contained no numbers.
City: Up to 3 characters.
Take the first three letters of the manufacturer’s city name.
Example for an Indonesian Manufacturer
Let's say a manufacturer is named "Mega Garmen Tekstil" and is located at "Jalan Raya Kuta No. 12345, Denpasar, Bali".
Country: The two-letter ISO country code for Indonesia is ID.
Manufacturer Name: The name is "Mega Garmen Tekstil."
We take the first three letters of the first two words: "Mega" and "Garmen."
The result is MEG GAR.
Address Line: The address is "Jalan Raya Kuta No. 12345."
We take the highest digits, up to four.
The number is 1234.
City: The city is "Denpasar."
We take the first three letters.
The result is DEN.
Combining these parts, the resulting MID code would be: IDMEGGAR1234DEN
What to Do If You Don't Have a MID Code
Request from Supplier: If you're importing goods, the manufacturer or supplier is the best source for this information. The MID code is based on their location and name, so they should be able to provide it to you.
Create Your Own: If you create your own products and do not source them from a manufacturer or supplier, you must create it using the guidelines above.
UrShipper’s Role: UrShipper can assist you with your shipping documents, but it is the shipper's responsibility to provide an accurate MID code.
✨ Tip: You can use online tools like MerchMind AI to generate MID code easily.
Using MID Code
MID codes are always required for textile and apparel products and must be on the commercial invoice. If your shipment includes products from different manufacturers, you must provide a separate MID code for each one.
You can put the MID code at the beginning of the item description.
Example: IDMEGGAR1234DEN / Women’s Dress of 100% Cotton
It's a good idea to have a MID for all your US shipments, regardless of which carrier you're using. This helps prevent any delays, rejections, or fines at customs.
For more information, please refer to the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection website or contact our support team. 📦