Recently, when customers purchase products from our store, they need to provide additional information. For China, need Resident ID number. How to disable this? Thanks
Topic summary
Shopify has implemented a mandatory checkout field requiring resident ID numbers for customers in China, Brazil, South Korea, and Italy to comply with customs and shipping regulations. This information automatically populates shipping labels for orders processed through Shopify Shipping or Oberlo.
Key Issues Raised:
- Foreign residents in these countries (e.g., US citizens in China) lack the required ID numbers and cannot complete purchases
- The field only accepts specific digit formats, rejecting passport numbers as alternatives
- Merchants shipping via third-party logistics (3PL) or other carriers still face this requirement despite not using Shopify’s shipping services
- Some merchants request this feature be extended to additional countries (Chile, Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia)
Current Status:
- Shopify support suggests merchants can contact them to potentially disable the field on a case-by-case basis
- No universal disable option exists in settings
- One merchant reports having to use external shipping services at 3-4x the cost to bypass this restriction
- The issue remains unresolved for affected customers and merchants, with ongoing frustration about the rigid enforcement even when shipping carriers don’t require the information
Hi, @changchu ! Welcome to the Community; That’s a great question!
In order to better help our merchants comply with country specific customs and shipping regulations, we’ve recently implemented this mandatory field into the checkout for buyers located in countries that require this information: China, Brazil, South Korea and Italy.
Once entered on the payment page of the checkout and the order is processed, the customer’s resident ID number will automatically be added to shipping labels purchased through Shopify Shipping or fulfilled through Oberlo, in order to meet these unique regulations. There is more information about it all in the Help Doc for International shipping considerations.
I understand that you are wanting it disabled though. Is this because you are already collecting the information another way, like through an app?
Hi,
Having this issue also. A US citizen living in China does not have the ID number required. I am not shipping through Shopify or Oberlo. Can this customer enter just 0000 or leav it blank and get sent our products through the 3PL?
Does the name have to match the number for customs to clear it?
Can I disable it altogether?
Thanks
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Could it be possible to ask the Chilean customers to provide the RUT numbers and the Turkey customers to provide ID numbers too? We need that info for shipping to them.
@Helen is it possible to disable this field?
Hi, @aaronnc ! Thanks for reaching out. This may be something that is possible to disable. Where are you located?
We’ll need access to your account to look into it. While we’re not able to provide account specific support requests here in the Community at this time, we’d be happy to assist you via live chat, email or callback. Please visit the Help Center and log in to your account to create a support request.
In order to save some time so that the Support Advisor you speak with can help you as quickly as possible, please share this summary of your request at the beginning of your conversation:
“I am located in [your country]. I would like to disable the Additional Information field in my checkout so
that it no longer requests customers for a resident ID number before they can complete their purchase.”
Since this is the next step, I’ve marked this reply as the solution for the benefit of others who may discover this topic. Thanks!
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I just found this page and set up an account in order to reply. I’m not a shopify seller but a customer and have come across this problem with a few stores I buy from that use the shopify payment processing system.
I’ve emigrated to China, but since I’m a foreigner I don’t have a Resident ID number. I’ve tried entering my passport details in the Resident ID field instead, but it is obviously set to only allow the string of digits used in the China Resident ID system. So because the Resident ID number is a required field it effectively means I can’t buy from online retailers that use shopify anymore. Initially I thought it might no be so bad as I could have things sent to my home country and would be back to visit every now and then, but with COVID I’m stuck for the foreseeable future. Not to mention I’m likely to be living here long term.
I’ve ordered various items from overseas while living here and have never had a problem so far. If there’s any customs charges either I’m contacted by the shipping company, e.g. Fedex, or there’s an additional charge I have to pay on delivery, e.g. items delivered by China Post. So it doesn’t seem like it would be necessary to provide an ID number up front for customs purchases.
Hi, @Booker . Thank you for providing the customer’s perspective on this! Offering an excellent online experience for both our merchant’s and their customers is extremely important to us; Therefore I have passed your feedback along to our developers so that they are aware of the impact.
However, entering your passport number instead, should allow you to continue through the checkout to complete your purchase. Could you please let me know more about what happens when you try to enter yours? Do you receive an error message?
I also recommend reaching out directly to any of the online stores you are wanting to purchase from, to let them know of the limitation you are experiencing. If they decide that it would be beneficial for their business, they’ll be able to contact our support team, and we’d be happy to look into if it is possible to disable the Resident ID requirement on their checkout.
Thanks again for taking the time to share your experience. If I can help with anything else, please let me know.
I am still having this same issue. Frustrating.
Hello, @saultrejo33 . Thanks for reaching out, although I’m sorry to hear you’re feeling frustrated. Are you a merchant? Or are you a buyer?
If you’re a merchant, then we’d be happy to look into if it’s possible to disable the Resident ID field as I explained previously on 02-22-2021. Since we’re unable to access your account information that’s required to look into it here in the Community, please contact a Support Advisor via live chat, email or phone callback to get started, and hopefully help to eliminate some of your frustration.
Let me know if I can help with anything else!
Hi @Helen - the countries Qatar and Saudia Arabia also require residence ID number to be added for customs clearing purposes. I already reached out to shopify tech support but was told i would need to custom code this into the check out process. My question: why can shopify not add these countries to the other countries where this is required (China, S.Korea, Brasil, Italy)?
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I think Shopify is over-enforcing this “requirement”. If I understand the risks and the shipping company (i.e. DHL) is willing to ship without the ID, then why does the Shopify site not allow me to ship without the ID? My recipient in China does not want to give out their National ID or Passport number. They receive packages from many other senders around the world without doing so. In fact, I’ve shipped to them using DHL (outside of Shopify) which does not require these ID’s. I’ve read the Chinese requirements and the warnings about items could be destroyed etc, and i’m willing to accept this risk. Because of the Shopify enforcement, I have to pay 3-4x the shipping cost by going to DHL directly (outside of the discounted rates i was promised with my Shopify subscription).
hi i need this feature in my shop. how do i get it enabled. my store is in South Africa