Becoming an Importer of Record (IOR) empowers ecommerce sellers on Amazon, Shopify, and Walmart to take full control of their imports, ensure customs compliance, avoid legal risks, and speed up delivery — ultimately building trust and scaling their international business more effectively.

What Does Being an Importer of Record Mean for Online Sellers?

The ecommerce world moves fast. Your products need to move faster.

When you import goods to sell on Amazon, Shopify, or Walmart, someone must take legal responsibility.

That someone is the importer of record.

This isn’t just paperwork. It’s protection for your online business.

As an importer of record, you control how your products enter the country. You ensure compliance. You maintain quality.

For sellers juggling multiple platforms, this matters more than you think.

Why Amazon Sellers Need to Understand Importer of Record Responsibilities

Amazon doesn’t mess around with compliance.

One customs issue can freeze your inventory. One regulatory problem can suspend your account.

As the importer of record for your Amazon products, you:

• Confirm products meet all US regulations before listing
• Ensure proper labeling that won’t trigger Amazon warnings
• Maintain documentation that protects against account questions

Amazon’s standards get stricter every year. Being your own importer of record helps you stay ahead.

How Walmart Marketplace Sellers Benefit from Being Importers of Record

Walmart wants quality. Their customers expect it.

When you’re the importer of record for Walmart Marketplace items, you demonstrate commitment to those standards.

It means:

• Your products clear customs without delays that affect inventory
• Your listings comply with Walmart’s strict requirements
• Your supply chain meets Walmart’s ethical sourcing expectations
• Your business avoids the risks of third-party importing mistakes
• Your brand maintains control over every aspect of the import process

Walmart rewards reliable sellers. Being your own importer of record helps you become one.

What Shopify Store Owners Need to Know About Importing Their Own Goods

Your Shopify store sells directly to consumers. They trust you completely.

That trust shouldn’t be outsourced.

As the importer of record for your Shopify products, you:

• Take full responsibility for product safety and compliance
• Control quality at every step of the journey
• Build a supply chain that reflects your brand values
• Create documentation that protects you if questions arise
• Develop expertise that becomes a competitive advantage

Your Shopify customers buy from you because they like your brand. Being the importer of record keeps that brand promise intact.

>>> See More: What Are the Top Export Items from China to USA? A Comprehensive Analysis

What is the IOR Number Every Ecommerce Seller Should Have?

Your IOR (Importer of Record) number is your identity with customs.

It follows your products from port to warehouse to customer doorstep.

For ecommerce sellers, this number means:

• Faster clearance times for your shipments
• Easier tracking of goods across multiple platforms
• Consolidated paperwork for all your imported products
• Streamlined accounting for import duties and fees
• Protection against goods being held up at customs

Without an IOR number, you rely on others to move your products through customs. With one, you take control.

How Foreign Importers of Record Can Sell Successfully on US Marketplaces

You don’t need a US office to sell on American platforms.

As a non-resident importer of record, you can:

• Clear customs while based in your home country
• Manage your Amazon, Walmart, and Shopify businesses remotely
• Handle documentation without US staff
• Meet all legal requirements without a US presence
• Scale your business across multiple US platforms simultaneously

This approach saves money. It reduces complexity. It lets you focus on what matters: selling great products to American consumers.

The catch? The paperwork and compliance knowledge can be overwhelming.

That’s where our non-resident importer of record service comes in.

Where Can Products Imported by an Importer of Record Be Sold?

The products you import through our importer of record service can be sold anywhere in the US.

This includes:

• Amazon FBA and Seller Central
• Walmart Marketplace and Fulfillment Services
• Shopify stores and fulfillment
• eBay listings
• Your own independent website
• Brick-and-mortar retail partners
• Wholesale channels

There are no restrictions. Once properly imported, your products can be sold through any channel you choose.

This flexibility lets you diversify your sales strategy. You can test new platforms without changing your import process. You can scale across multiple marketplaces simultaneously.

Our non-resident importer of record service works with any sales channel you currently use or plan to use in the future.

Is FSVP Importer of Record the Same as Regular Importer of Record?

No, they are different roles with different responsibilities.

An Importer of Record handles the customs clearance process for any type of goods.

An FSVP (Foreign Supplier Verification Program) Importer is specifically responsible for food safety compliance under FDA regulations.

If your products fall under food or dietary supplements categories, you are required to have both:

• An Importer of Record for customs clearance
• An FSVP Importer for food safety compliance

Our service can handle both roles for your business. We understand the complex requirements of food and supplement imports for ecommerce sales.

This dual coverage is especially important for Amazon and Walmart sellers, as both platforms have strict requirements for food and supplement listings.

>>> See More: What Does It Mean to Be an Importer of Record for Your Healthy Food Brand in the US Market?

Do Importers of Record Need a Customs Bond?

Yes, all importers of record are required to have a customs bond.

The specifics:

• You must purchase a bond for every $50,000 USD of goods value that you import
• Bonds can be single-entry (for one shipment) or continuous (for multiple shipments)
• The bond serves as financial security for duties, taxes, and penalties
• Without a bond, your goods cannot clear US customs

For ecommerce sellers with regular shipments, a continuous bond makes the most sense. It covers multiple shipments over a year-long period.

Our non-resident importer of record service includes arranging the appropriate customs bonds for your business. We handle the entire process, so you don’t need to worry about bond applications or renewals.

How Our Importer of Record Services Help Ecommerce Sellers Across Multiple Platforms

Our non-resident importer of record service is designed specifically for foreign sellers targeting US ecommerce platforms.

We understand multi-channel ecommerce. We know the unique challenges of selling on Amazon, Shopify, and Walmart simultaneously from abroad.

Our foreign importer of record services include:

• Complete customs clearance handling as your legal US representative
• Platform-specific compliance knowledge for each marketplace
• Centralized documentation that works across all your channels
• Customs clearance optimized for ecommerce timelines
• Inventory coordination with your fulfillment strategy
• Scalable solutions that grow with your business

We become your import department in the US while you run your business from anywhere in the world. You focus on sales, marketing, and growth without the complexity of US import regulations.

Why Does Using Importer of Record Services Matter for FBA and Other Fulfillment Methods?

Fulfillment by Amazon demands precision. So do other ecommerce fulfillment methods.

When your goods arrive at the warehouse, they need to be:

• Properly labeled according to platform requirements
• Fully compliant with all regulations
• Ready to ship without additional inspection
• Accurately documented in your inventory system
• Free of any customs or regulatory issues

As your importer of record, we ensure this happens. We understand the unique requirements of FBA, Walmart Fulfillment Services, and third-party logistics providers.

Your products arrive ready to sell, not ready for problems.

What Shipping Considerations Should Ecommerce Importers of Record Understand?

Ecommerce moves at its own pace. So should your shipping.

As an importer of record for online sales, you need to consider:

• Lead times that align with your inventory forecasting
• Customs clearance speed that prevents stockouts
• Documentation that helps rather than hinders fulfillment
• Port selection that optimizes for your warehouse locations
• Shipping methods that balance cost with customer expectations

The right approach varies by platform. Amazon has different needs than Shopify. Walmart has different requirements than both.

Ready to Make Your Multi-Channel Ecommerce Business Stronger with Non-Resident Importer of Record Services?

Your international Amazon, Shopify, and Walmart businesses deserve professional import support.

Our non-resident importer of record services let you:

• Sell on US marketplaces from anywhere in the world
• Clear US customs quickly and efficiently without a US presence
• Maintain perfect compliance with all American regulations
• Scale your business without relocating or hiring US staff
• Focus on growth while we handle the complex import paperwork

As foreign sellers, you face unique challenges in the US market. Our specialized non-resident importer of record service removes those barriers.

Contact us today to learn how we can be your official importer of record for all your US ecommerce channels. Let’s build your international multi-platform success story—the right way.