Importer of Record (IOR) services
Shipping products across borders can open huge growth opportunities, but managing customs regulations, taxes, and import documentation can be complex and time-consuming. That’s where we come in.
At Simple Global, our Importer of Record (IOR) services help ecommerce brands, logistics partners, and international sellers ship goods into the United States and other markets smoothly, legally, and compliantly.
We act as your authorized importer, handling all import responsibilities, including customs clearance, compliance documentation, and tax obligations, so your shipments move seamlessly without delays or penalties.
Simple Global Facts
99.5%
On-time delivery & accuracy rate
180+
Ship to over 180 countries and territories
50+
Integrate with over 50 ecommerce channels
8+
Global fulfillment centers and warehouse networks
Your legal partner for cross-border imports
What is an Import of Record (IOR)?
An Importer of Record is the entity legally responsible for ensuring that goods entering a country meet all local laws and import regulations. This includes handling customs documentation, paying duties and taxes, and maintaining import records. When you partner with Simple Global, we serve as your trusted IOR in the U.S. and other supported regions, ensuring every shipment complies with local customs requirements from start to finish. Whether you’re an overseas brand selling directly to U.S. customers or a global ecommerce company expanding into new markets, we make import compliance simple, secure, and fully managed.
Seamless imports into the United States
U.S. IOR services
The U.S. has some of the most detailed and regulated import procedures in the world. Our IOR services in the United States ensure your shipments clear customs without issues, delays, or unexpected fees.
We handle:
- Customs filing and import documentation
- Duty, tax, and tariff payments on your behalf
- Coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
- Import compliance for restricted or regulated goods
Our team stays up to date with ever-changing import laws to ensure your goods reach our U.S. fulfillment centers or your chosen destination efficiently and compliantly.
Expand internationally without local entity setup
Global IOR & cross-border support
Selling internationally doesn’t have to mean setting up local offices or navigating foreign compliance systems on your own. With our global IOR network, you can easily ship into major markets without establishing a local business entity.
We provide IOR services for shipments into:
- The United States
- Canada
- The United Kingdom
- European Union countries
- Australia and select Asian markets
Our international logistics specialists manage the entire import process, ensuring your products move smoothly from your supplier to the destination country, ready for local distribution or fulfillment.
Avoid delays with accurate and complete paperwork
Customs compliance & documentation
Incorrect or missing customs paperwork can lead to expensive shipment delays or rejections. Our experienced compliance team ensures all documentation meets international standards.
We handle:
- Commercial invoices and packing lists
- HS code classification
- Import licenses and permits (if required)
- Country-specific compliance checks
Our proactive approach minimizes customs holds, ensures faster clearance, and gives you full visibility over every step of the import process.
Transparent, compliant, and hassle-free
Duty & tax management
Navigating international taxes and duties can be complicated. We simplify it by handling duty calculation, payment, and recordkeeping on your behalf.
We ensure:
- Accurate duty and tariff classification
- Prepaid customs and tax (DDP) options
- Clear cost visibility before shipment
- Record maintenance for audit readiness
This not only keeps your imports compliant but also ensures smooth delivery to your end customers or fulfillment centers without unexpected costs or delays.
Connect imports directly to fulfillment
Ecommerce & fulfillment integration
As a full-service ecommerce fulfillment provider, we go beyond import management. Once your products clear customs, we can seamlessly move them into our U.S. fulfillment centers for warehousing, order fulfillment, and distribution.
With integrated IOR and fulfillment support, you get:
- End-to-end visibility from port to delivery
- Streamlined inbound shipping workflows
- Direct connection to our 3PL warehousing network
- Faster delivery to customers across the U.S.
It’s a complete logistics solution, from import compliance to final-mile fulfillment, designed to help your brand scale globally without friction.
IOR FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Any company or individual shipping goods internationally especially those without a legal business entity in the destination country needs an Importer of Record. The IOR ensures your products comply with customs regulations, manages taxes and duties, and prevents shipment delays or rejections.
Yes, if your company has a registered business entity, tax ID, and import license in the destination country, you can act as your own IOR. However, most foreign companies choose to use a professional IOR provider like Simple Global to simplify compliance, reduce risk, and avoid costly errors.
The Importer of Record (IOR) is responsible for goods entering a country, while the Exporter of Record (EOR) manages goods leaving a country. Many businesses use both services to ensure full compliance for cross-border trade, especially when managing imports to and exports from the U.S., EU, or Asia.
Most commercial goods do. However, certain regulated or restricted products such as electronics, cosmetics, supplements, or medical devices require additional licenses and documentation. Our compliance team reviews your SKUs in advance to ensure all import requirements are met before shipping.
Typical documentation includes a commercial invoice, packing list, HS codes, import permits (if applicable), and product specifications. Once onboarded, we handle all customs filings, duty calculations, and required documentation on your behalf.
Most imports can clear customs within 1–3 business days once all documentation is complete. Timeframes can vary by product type, country of origin, and customs volume. Our proactive compliance process helps prevent delays and ensures smooth customs clearance.
Yes. We provide DDP shipping options, which means we handle all duties, taxes, and customs charges upfront. This allows you to provide a seamless buying experience for your customers with no hidden fees or import responsibilities on their end.
Because Simple Global is a full-service 3PL, we can directly receive your imported goods into our U.S. fulfillment centers after customs clearance. From there, we handle warehousing, order fulfillment, returns, and distribution, creating an end-to-end logistics solution from import to delivery.
Yes. While we specialize in U.S. imports, we also provide global IOR coverage in regions including Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Australia, and select Asian markets. This helps brands expand internationally without the need to establish local entities.
Unlike brokers that only manage customs clearance, we offer a complete import-to-fulfillment solution. Our team combines regulatory expertise, real-time tracking, integrated fulfillment, and transparent pricing, helping your brand grow globally without compliance worries or hidden costs.
Customer Testimonials
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