Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol Agent (CBP BPA) Practice Exam

The individual or entity named in a freight contract that is responsible for receiving the goods is commonly referred to as the importer. The importer plays a crucial role in the supply chain, as they are the ones who legally own the products upon arrival and are responsible for clearing customs and ensuring that all import regulations are met. This includes handling the necessary paperwork and paying any tariffs or taxes associated with the imported goods.

In contrast, the carrier is the transportation company that moves the goods to their destination, while the notify party is generally an additional contact listed in the shipping documents who must be informed about the arrival of the goods but may not necessarily be the receiver. The freight forwarder acts as an intermediary who arranges the transportation of the goods but does not take ownership of them like the importer does. Thus, the importer is the correct designation for the party that receives the goods per the freight contract.