What Is an Importer of Record and Why Does It Matter

Importer of record dock worker in safety gear inspecting numbered loading lanes filled with colorful shipping containers on a cargo vessel deck.

Every commercial shipment entering the United States has an importer of record. It is not a title that gets assigned automatically or shared across parties. It is a specific legal designation that carries real compliance obligations and responsibility. Understanding what it means to be the importer of record is one of the most important things […]