What Is an Importer or Exporter of Record?
The Exporter of Record (EOR) is the person or organisation (the legal exporting entity) responsible for goods exiting a country. It is the responsibility of the EOR to ensure that all process and documentary requirements of the exporting country are adhered to (e.g., obtaining applicable licences /permits) and to provide an accurate description and value of the goods being exported. This is usually the seller or provider of the goods but does not necessarily have to be the person or organisation from which the goods are being dispatched.
An Importer of Record (IOR) is the person or organisation (the legal importing entity) responsible for goods entering a country. It is the responsibility of the IOR to arrange the payment of any duties & taxes, levies, or fines as well as to provide any required documentation or certification. The importer of record is usually the person or organisation that either purchased or will be taking ownership the imported goods. The IOR does not necessarily have to be the person or organisation taking delivery of the imported goods.