The Most Common
Importer of Record Mistakes
Companies Make When
Shipping to the UK
We receive regular enquiries from companies whose shipments are delayed at UK ports or airports. In many cases, the problem comes down to the same issue: Importer of Record responsibilities were never clearly defined.
repeatedly in enquiries
require a legal IOR
be defined before shipping
Based on the enquiries we receive, three mistakes appear repeatedly.
Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) defines commercial responsibility for costs, but customs authorities still require a legally recognised Importer of Record.
Some exporters assume their UK buyer can act as the importer. However, many customers refuse to accept customs liability or VAT responsibility.
This creates a gap: the goods arrive, no one is formally registered as the importer, and customs hold the shipment until responsibility is established. Meanwhile, storage fees accumulate.
Causes relationship damageImporter details must appear on commercial documentation and customs declarations. If this information is unclear, shipments can be held until responsibility is established.
This is an entirely preventable delay. The importer of record must be confirmed — and documented — before the goods leave the country of origin, not after they arrive at a UK port.
Entirely preventableWhat happens to your shipment when IOR is undefined:
Companies that address importer responsibilities before shipping benefit from:
You’re shipping on DDP Incoterms to a UK buyer. Who is responsible for being the legally recognised Importer of Record with UK customs?
International trade runs smoothly when logistics planning includes legal importer responsibility from the start. Define it before the goods move. Document it before the declaration is filed. Confirm it before the container is loaded.
Need an Importer of Record for UK shipments?
We act as your legally registered IOR for commercial shipments entering the United Kingdom. Full customs representation, VAT handling, and HMRC compliance — from the first container.
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