The consignee and Importer of Record are often confused but serve different roles in international trade. Learn the key differences and why they matter for Indonesia imports.
In international shipping, the terms consignee and Importer of Record (IOR) are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different roles — and understanding the distinction matters when you're importing to Indonesia.
The consignee is the party named on the Bill of Lading (B/L) or Airway Bill (AWB) as the intended receiver of the goods. The consignee is who the shipping line or airline will release the cargo to upon arrival.
The consignee may or may not be the actual buyer of the goods — they're simply the designated receiver at the destination.
The Importer of Record (IOR) is the entity named on the customs declaration as the legal importer. The IOR is responsible for:
| Aspect | Consignee | Importer of Record |
|---|---|---|
| Appears on | Bill of Lading / Airway Bill | Customs declaration (PIB) |
| Role | Receives the physical goods | Legal importer for customs |
| Responsibility | Taking delivery | Full compliance & duty payment |
| License needed | Depends on country | Must hold import license (API) |
| Liability | For receiving goods | For all import obligations |
This is where Indonesia is stricter than many countries. The consignee on the Bill of Lading must match the importer on the PIB customs declaration. You cannot have a freight forwarder as consignee and a different entity as the IOR.
This is why when Kickrate acts as your IOR in Indonesia, we are named as:
Your Indonesian company (PT) can be both consignee and IOR, using its own API license.
You need an IOR service like Kickrate. We become both the consignee and IOR, importing under our API-U license on your behalf.
Your supplier's freight forwarder ships the goods, but they still need a local IOR/consignee in Indonesia. The supplier typically arranges an IOR service or you provide one.
If the consignee on your B/L is not a licensed importer in Indonesia, your goods will be stuck at the port. The shipping line won't release them, and customs won't clear them. Demurrage charges accrue daily.
This is one of the most common reasons shipments get held — the shipper names a freight forwarder or foreign company as consignee, not realizing Indonesia requires a licensed local entity.
Kickrate acts as both your consignee and Importer of Record. Get a quote or look up your HS code to see the duty rates for your product.
