The Importer of Record or IOR is the person or organization that holds responsibility for all of the paperwork and other formal entry requirements for importing goods to the USA.
These responsibilities include providing the appropriate entry documents for clearance through Customs Border Protection (CBP) at US ports, the payment of any duties, levies or fines, product classification and certification, and any other obligations that fall to the importer.
If you are not based in the USA yourself, things are a little different but still not too complicated.
Foreign Importers of Record
If you’re not based in the USA you are classed as a foreign Importer of Record, and need to be established as such before you can import your goods.
To be recognized as a foreign Importer of Record, you need to be issued with an Importer of Record number by the US Customs Authority, and to provide a customs bond for your goods.
Here is what you need to provide to be issued with a foreign Importer of Record customs-assigned number:
- A document giving you power of attorney for customs purposes, which is signed by two of your company’s officers.
- Photographs or scans of formal ID documents for the two named officers.
- A copy of the importer’s Articles of Incorporation. This document may indicate that the named signatories have the appropriate authority to hold power of attorney for import purposes, but if not, a separate document specifying this is also required.
You may want to use the services of a customs broker to apply for your customs-assigned number, and to obtain a customs bond for your imports.
If you need assistance with registering as an Importer of Record or taking care of the paperwork required, let us know and we’ll help to make sure that everything goes to plan.
