Most smaller importers use a forwarding agent to handle customs clearance for goods coming into the UK from outside the EU.

a person the exporter authorizes to perform services that facilitate the export described on the Shipper's Export Declaration (SED)

An agent who looks after all the freight matters on behalf of the exporter.

freight bill

An intermediary who arranges for the carriage of goods and/or associated services on behalf of a shipper or the receiver.

Person or organisation specialising in arranging the delivery of goods from port of arrival

The person in the United States who is authorized by a principal party in interest to perform the services required to facilitate the export of items from the United States. This may include air couriers or carriers.

This is the person in the country of origin who is authorized by a principle party in interest to perform the services required to facilitate the export of the items from the country of origin. This may include air couriers or carriers. In routed export transactions, the forwarding agent and the exporter may be the same for compliance purposes under the EAR.

agent who handles all shipping matters for the exporter.