Why a consignee doesn’t want to be the IOR – and what to do when the role falls to you

Released On 17th Apr 2026

When importing or exporting goods across countries, your shipment must comply with customs regulations in order to pass through the border.

However, without a good understanding of the customs process and its requirements, errors can occur – which can lead to your shipments being delayed or even seized.

That’s why having an Importer of Record (IOR) is crucial, since they have the knowledge and experience to ensure your shipment passes through customs quickly, safely and legally!

But, when your client doesn’t want to be the Importer of Record, that means the responsibility falls to you, the supplier.

In our latest blog, we’re delving into the responsibilities of an Importer of Record and what to do when the role falls to you.

First, what is an Importer of Record?

An Importer of Record (IOR) acts as the legal entity for your shipment.

They are responsible for accurately filling in the import documents, licences and permits, as well as paying duties and taxes, to ensure your goods meet all the criteria to pass through customs smoothly.

As the legal entity, an IOR must navigate strict governmental customs authorities and keep up-to-date with complex import and export regulations.

Failure to comply with these rules can result in fines, penalties, delays and even seizure of shipments!

Why doesn’t the consignee want to be an IOR?

Simply, it’s a lot of hassle and employees in country do not have the knowledge or confidence to manage the process!

The import process of goods can be very complex – especially for technology and dual-use goods – and movement of this hardware must be tracked in a similar way to us humans.

Where has it come from? Where it is going? What will it be used for?

There is a lot of paperwork that has to be completed during the import process, including:

Tariff classification
Valuation
Country of Origin (COO) labelling
Import license applications on Customs portals
Obtaining technical certifications and reports for the goods from the manufacturer
Duty assessment
Arranging the physically clearance the goods through customs channel

And, on top of all that, these requirements differ for every country!

Even for an experienced importer, the customs process can be a long and complicated procedure.

Collecting all relevant documents, submitting paperwork and paying duties and taxes before the shipment even leaves its origin country can take considerable dedication to ensure it’s all done correctly.

So, it’s unsurprising that your client may want someone else to act as the IOR!

But what if you don’t want to be the Importer of Record?

As previously explained, customs compliance can be tricky to navigate – and if you don’t have the knowledge or experience to manage this, your shipment may struggle to pass.

However, there is an easy solution.

Just as your client has outsourced the responsibility to you, you can outsource it to someone else!

By hiring an external Importer of Record, they can take full control over your shipment and its journey through customs.

They submit all relevant documents, certificates, licenses and permits for you to ensure it complies with both local and national customs regulations. This means your shipments arrive at your customers’ doors on time, in budget and without any compliance issues.

Now, you just need to find the right Importer of Record for you…

Mouse & Bear are here to support you

At Mouse & Bear, we’re a specialist Importer of Record and Exporter of Record for technology.

For over 10 years, we’ve helped businesses move computers, telecoms hardware, medical technology, cloud computing equipment and more, to over 160 countries.

We work closely with our clients to create bespoke customs support and tailored import plans to suit any project, no matter the size.

So, if you’re looking for expert customs support to manage your clients’ shipments, we’re here to help. Contact us today to see how we can help.

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