When it comes to shipping goods abroad it is never a straightforward process. It can be an incredibly stressful experience for any business especially if you have never done anything like it before. Many businesses try to tackle this task themselves and plan to handle every aspect in-house, however, this isn’t always the best decision.
A specialist Importer of Record service may be the best idea for your business. The complexity of international trading raises a number of concerns, regulations, and compliance questions all of which an IOR service will be able to handle for you.
If you’re unsure as to whether you should outsource an IOR then the team at Blackthorne have put together a guide to help you work out whether this is a service you would benefit from.
Do you need an Importer of Record?
Before we mention reasons and scenarios where you are likely to need an IOR service, we will mention situations where you might not actually need one. For example, in countries like the United States, Canada or any country in the European Union, you can be the IOR if you own a registered business entity. These places are typically referred to as “open markets” due to the relative ease of conducting international trade in these countries.
However, for any countries outside the US, Canada and the EU, trade is much more complex and it is highly likely that you will need to hire an IOR service. Generally speaking, besides the few exceptions, all other countries in the world are often considered “complex markets” due to the fact that executing an import into these destinations often requires more than just operating a valid business entity.
Questions to ask yourself before deciding whether to outsource an IOR
If you are shipping to either the open markets or the complex markets a quick and easy way to help you decide whether you require IOR services is to answer the following 4 questions:
- Do you know which, if any, import permits and licenses are required and how to procure them?
- Can you properly classify your equipment with an HS Code and ECCN number?
- Are you able to identify the country of origin, material composition, or electrical specifications of each device you want to ship?
- Can you take responsibility for the equipment during the import process and answer any questions that may arise during customs clearance?
If you answered no to any of these questions then it is best for you to outsource an IOR as, for them, answering the questions above wouldn’t be a problem. They are experts in transporting goods abroad and can make your life much easier in this regard.
Benefits of outsourcing an IOR
When deciding to work with a professional company to outsource an IOR you can feel safe in the knowledge that they will ensure your import is compliant with the import regulations in the given country, pay all of the relevant taxes, duties and other fees for the imported goods, file the correct documentation, permits and licensing, and also maintain any records for the minimum duration required under local law.
They will essentially take care of all Importer of Record requirements from the export licence process to the organisation of shipment so that you don’t need to worry at all. There are many companies offering professional Importer of Records in the United Kingdom so, outsourcing is easier than you may initially realise.
Hiring an experienced IOR
Once you have decided that you are going to outsource to an IOR then it is best to seek assistance from a company that specialises in the type of goods you are looking to transport. For example, Blackthorne specialises in acting as an Importer or Record for IT shipments globally. They have a huge global network and infrastructure to help them provide a seamless process for their customers. Their team can help get your IT equipment where it needs to be and expedite the import-export process.
