Difference between an exporter and a shipper

In simple terms, Exporter = is a person or company or entity that is authorized by Customs and Govt authorities to export cargoes to various countries.

This is also the party responsible for filing the export declaration with the customs authorities.

Exporter may or may not be the seller of the goods.

Shipper = is a person or company or entity that is shown in all the shipping documents (bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list) as the party responsible for procuring and/or placing the order for shipment and maybe also for arranging the freight payment etc.

Shipper shown on the bill of lading need not necessarily be a registered exporter and may or may not be the seller of the goods.

A Freight Forwarder can also be shown as the shipper on a line’s master bill of lading..