Responsibilities and roles of the Exporter of Record
The EOR in Zambia takes on several essential roles:
Customs Compliance: The EOR makes sure that all necessary documents are submitted to Zambian authorities and international customs. This includes providing accurate and complete customs declarations, export permits, and certificates of origin, with local regulations.
Tariff Classification: A useful responsibility of the EOR is to identify the HS Code for goods being exported. The HS Code is a globally standardized system that classifies products to apply tariffs and taxes, which is difficult for ensuring international trade regulations. This is particularly important for industries such as medical equipment and automobile exports, where product classification can significantly affect tariffs.
HTS Harmonized Tariffs: The HTS is a system used in countries like the United States for duties applied to imported goods. The EOR ensures the right HS Code is assigned to each product, ensuring the correct tariff rates are applied during the import process in the destination country, and helps avoid errors that could affect industries like aviation and automobile.
Export Documentation: The EOR makes and prepares the necessary paperwork, including invoices, bills of lading, export licenses, and any certificates of origin. For medical equipment, specialized certifications may be required to prove the safety and efficacy of the products for international markets
Logistics and Transportation
An important aspect of the Exporter of Record (EOR) service is managing logistics and transportation, ensuring the safe and efficient movement of goods from Zambia to the international market. The EOR typically coordinates with freight forwarders, utilizing air, sea, or land transport to facilitate delivery. Freight forwarding ensures that goods are delivered smoothly and cost-effectively, and for sectors like aviation, specialized freight handlers may be employed to ensure that sensitive and large parts are shipped safely.
For large shipments or complex supply chains, the EOR may arrange warehousing services to store goods properly and prepare them for export. This is particularly difficult for industries like medical equipment, where strict storage conditions are necessary to maintain product quality and safety. Additionally, the EOR ensures that all shipments are tracked, and the required logistics documentation is completed to guarantee the goods reach their destination without any customs issues. This is especially important in sectors such as IT, where the timely arrival of products like hardware is critical, and accurate tracking avoids delays and ensures smooth deliveries.
Why Use an Exporter of Record (EOR) in Zambia?
Using an Exporter of Record service in Zambia provides several advantages, including:
Expertise: The EOR has a very deep knowledge of international trade laws, tariffs, and regulations, making sure that your exports meet all requirements. In industries like IT, aviation, medical equipment, and automobile, this expertise is difficult for managing the complex requirements associated with every sector.
Risk Management: By outsourcing the export responsibilities to the EOR, businesses can reduce risks related to non-compliance or incorrect documentation. For medical equipment and aviation exports, this helps to avoid costly delays caused by incorrect certifications or regulatory violations.
Efficient Logistics: The EOR ensures that logistics are handled professionally, from packaging to transport, tracking, and final delivery. For sectors like automobile parts, timely delivery is required, and the EOR helps coordinate this with efficiency.
Did you know:
 Zambia in 2022 is the number 104 economy in the world in terms of GDP (current US$), the number 88 in total exports, and 115 in total imports.Â
