IOR (Importer of Record)
Category: Compliance
Also searched as: IOR
Definition (plain English)
The legal party responsible for import declaration, duty and tax payment, admissibility, recordkeeping, and post-entry liability at destination.
Why it matters commercially
Importer-of-record responsibility controls who bears customs, tax, certificate, audit, and correction risk after goods cross the border.
Example
A DDP offer was rejected until the seller proved who would act as IOR and whether the buyer could recover import VAT.
Common mistake
Accepting a delivered quote without confirming importer identity, VAT recovery, customs representation, and post-clearance responsibility.
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