What are IOR services?

IOR services, or Importer of Record services, refer to third-party solutions provided by companies that act as the official importer for goods entering a foreign country. These services are especially crucial for businesses that want to ship products internationally but do not have a registered legal entity or the necessary licenses in the destination country.

The Importer of Record is legally responsible for ensuring that goods comply with local import laws and regulations, including correct classification, payment of duties and taxes, securing permits, and maintaining documentation for audits. IOR service providers step in to fulfill these obligations on behalf of the actual owner of the goods.

These services are widely used in sectors like IT equipment, telecom, medical devices, and aerospace, where compliance with import regulations is complex. Without IOR services, companies may face shipment delays, penalties, or seizure of goods.

Typically, IOR services include:

• Acting as the legal importer
• Customs clearance and documentation
• Payment of duties and taxes
• Regulatory compliance
• Providing import licenses where required

IOR services help simplify global supply chains, reduce compliance risks, and enable companies to operate in international markets without setting up physical infrastructure. This is particularly beneficial for cross-border e-commerce, project deployments, and hardware rollouts in restricted or high-regulation regions.