Importer of Record (IOR)

The Importer of Record is the party legally responsible for ensuring imported goods clear customs correctly — filing the entry, classifying the merchandise, and paying all duties, tariffs, and fees owed to CBP. This is the person or company on the hook for MPF, HMF, Section 232/301 duties, and any error corrections, regardless of who the physical buyer or shipper is. Example: if a U.S. retailer is the IOR on a $500,000 ocean shipment of Chinese steel goods, it owes the 50% Section 232 duty, the 0.3464% MPF (capped at $614.35), and 0.125% HMF, plus liability for any underpayment CBP later assesses. It matters because IOR status carries the financial and legal risk of the entry — including audits, penalties, and the right to claim refunds such as duty drawback or CAPE-process refunds.