Why is my Australian Business Number (ABN) required to use ShipStation?

SinceShipStation provides business-to-business (B2B) services, we must confirm we are working with registered businesses to be compliant with current legislation. The Australian Business Number (ABN) is the method we use to determine the business status of a company. This is why we require your ABN to use ShipStation.

If you instead need details on how to add your Tax Identifier Number to customs declarations, see our Tax Identifier Number Guide.

This Guide is Not Legal Advice

This article is only a guide and not a substitute for legal advice. Please consult a tax expert to discuss your specific business needs.

What is an ABN?

An Australian Business Number (ABN) is a unique 11-digit identifier issued by the Australian Business Register (ABR) which is operated by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). The law requires each entity that carries on a business in Australia to have an ABN and that the ABN appear on each tax invoice and other tax-related documents issued by the entity.

How to add Australian Business Number (ABN) to your Account

You can enter your Australian Business Number (ABN) from the Payments & Subscription page in Settings.

  1. Click the Add Australian Business Number (ABN) button.

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  2. Enter your Australian Business Number (ABN). Click Submit to finish.

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Enter your ABN to avoid account suspension.

A notification to add your ABN will repeat upon login until you have done so.

The ABN field only accepts numbers. You do not need to enter dashes or country codes.

Your Australian Business Number (ABN) will display in the Australian Business Number (ABN) card.

What if my ABN is not accepted?

Ensure your Australian Business Number (ABN) is accurate and up to date. The best way to check your ABN is to check your local Australian Business Number (ABN) website. You can also utilize the VIES to look up your ID.

How do I edit/update ABN?

Send an email to our Support Team to edit or update your ABN.

What if I do not have a ABN?

ShipStation only offers its services to registered businesses. Accounts that fail to add a ABN will be suspended.

Is my information secure?

Yes. ShipStation only uses your Australian Business Number (ABN) to confirm we are selling our services to another business. See our Privacy Policy for more details on how we manage private information.