Automation transfers information efficiently, but it does not transfer every legal responsibility to the software or carrier. Each participant needs a clearly defined role.
Merchant or exporter #
The merchant is normally responsible for the commercial and product information supplied for export.
This includes:
- deciding whether the goods may be exported;
- providing accurate descriptions;
- selecting and supporting HS codes;
- establishing country of origin;
- providing defensible customs values;
- issuing commercial or pro forma invoices;
- supplying the correct EORI and VAT information;
- defining the importer and delivery terms;
- and retaining the records needed for tax and customs purposes.
The merchant should not expect a warehouse operator to determine product composition, origin or tariff classification from the appearance of an item.
Logistics provider #
The logistics provider turns the merchant’s data into a physical shipment.
Its responsibilities normally include:
- checking that the required operational fields are present;
- ensuring that parcel contents match the order;
- recording the products and quantities packed in each parcel;
- weighing the parcel;
- selecting the authorised carrier service;
- generating and printing the documents;
- placing the documents correctly on the parcel;
- and reporting missing or inconsistent data before dispatch.
The logistics provider should not invent an HS code, origin or value to bypass a carrier validation error. Missing business information must be referred to the merchant.
Carrier #
The carrier:
- defines the information required by its transport service;
- validates the label request against its technical rules;
- generates or accepts transport and postal customs documents;
- transmits electronic data to its customs and delivery partners;
- transports and presents the parcel;
- and communicates operational errors or clearance events.
Carrier acceptance does not prove that the merchant’s classification, origin or value is legally correct.
Customs representative #
A registered customs representative may prepare and lodge a formal customs declaration under a mandate.
In direct representation, the representative acts in the name and on behalf of the represented party. In indirect representation, the representative acts in its own name on behalf of another party, with different consequences for customs debt and liability.
A logistics provider or carrier is not automatically the merchant’s customs representative for every shipment. The mandate and form of representation must be explicit.
See French Customs guidance on filing declarations and registered customs representatives.
AtomicSeller’s role #
AtomicSeller connects ecommerce platforms, merchants, warehouses, WMS applications and carriers. It can:
- collect order and customs data;
- make that data available to the logistics operation;
- transmit it through carrier APIs;
- retrieve labels and customs documents;
- and preserve shipment traceability.
AtomicSeller does not replace the exporter, determine the legal classification of the goods or act as a customs representative merely by transmitting the data.
A practical division of responsibilities #
The safest operating model is:
- The merchant validates stable product and commercial data.
- AtomicSeller transfers that information with the order.
- The logistics provider validates the parcel and dispatch data.
- The carrier validates the transport request and transmits customs information.
- A customs representative handles formal declarations when required.
- Errors are returned to the participant who owns the relevant information.
This division prevents warehouse delays and ensures that corrections are made by the party best placed to confirm the facts.