Exporter & Declarant: Who Are They?

📌 Who is the Exporter?

• The owner of the goods or someone with the right to manage them when the export declaration is submitted.

📌 Who is the Declarant?

• The person submitting the export declaration (official document for customs).
• Usually, the exporter acts as the declarant and submits the declaration in their name.
• However, an exporter can appoint someone else to handle the process on their behalf.

Example: Difference Between Exporter & Declarant

📦 Scenario:
A German electronics company, TechWare GmbH, is exporting laptops to the USA.

Case 1: Exporter = Declarant

• TechWare GmbH owns the laptops and submits the export declaration itself.
• It takes full responsibility for the customs process.
• Here, TechWare GmbH is both the exporter and the declarant.

Case 2: Exporter ≠ Declarant (Using a Representative)

• TechWare GmbH owns the laptops but hires a freight forwarder (LogiTrans GmbH) to handle the export process.
• LogiTrans GmbH submits the export declaration on behalf of TechWare.
• In this case:
  • TechWare GmbH is the exporter (owner of goods).
  • LogiTrans GmbH is the declarant (handles the customs paperwork).

🔹 Key Point:

• The exporter owns the goods, but the declarant is the one who officially submits the customs declaration.
• The declarant ensures that goods meet all customs requirements before leaving the country.

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