76 GLOBAL SOURCING LOGISTICS
information that is provided to CBP in an attempt to gain
access to the physical control of that merchandise once en-
tered into the commerce of the United States. CBP has
placed a great deal of responsibility in the hands of that
party and defined such entities as those who are legally re-
sponsible to CBP for duties, fees, taxes, and any possible
penalties. Any person or party meeting these responsibili-
ties is designated as the formal importer of record.
Many people who are designated as importer of record
on the import declaration do not realize the degree of re-
sponsibility associated with that role. This lack of knowl-
edge results in common practices of noncompliance to rules
of which the importer was never aware. ...