GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026
Importer
In customs law and freight practice, an importer is any natural or legal person who brings goods into a customs territory and is liable for the resulting customs debt.
Quick Answer
Last updated: Published:
Source: https://www.zoll.de/DE/Fachthemen/Zoelle/Einfuhr/Einfuhr/Einfuhrer/Einfuhrer_node.html
Category
Passar Hub: Everything on the new Swiss customs system
Reading time
1 min
Words
112
Mentioned in
–
Definition & Explanation
In customs law and freight practice, an importer is any natural or legal person who brings goods into a customs territory and is liable for the resulting customs debt. The decisive criterion is not who physically moves the goods, but who lodges the customs declaration in their own name or on their own account. Importers range from manufacturers sourcing raw materials to traders importing finished goods and consignees acting as owners of the goods. The role is distinct from that of a customs broker or freight forwarder acting as agent: a direct representative incurs no customs liability of their own, whereas an indirect representative is jointly and severally liable alongside the importer.
Next steps
Matching tools and partners
Related Terms
You might also be interested in these terms
Current 2026
Passar Hub: Everything on the new Swiss customs system
Passar 2.0: import pilot with pre-registration
Passar 1.0Passar 2.0Passar 3.0
Connect
Find a matching partner on this lane
Verified forwarders, ranked by coverage and profile — premium capped at 10%.
Logistics knowledge straight to your inbox
Free · No password · Never a paywall. Weekly top news and facts from logistics.
Community Questions & Answers
Share your knowledge, ask follow-up questions, or add practical insights to this page. Every contribution is moderated before publication.
No community answers yet. Be the first.