A purchaser generally means a person or firm contracting with a seller for services or merchandise to be provided or delivered for a named individual. It is someone who provides something of value, such as money, under a contract of sale to obtain goods or services from a seller. In a strict legal sense, a purchaser may also include someone who acquires title to something by deed, devise, execution, prescription, possession, occupancy, or escheat. Federal and state statutes, which vary by context and jurisdiction, govern the precise definition in particular transactions.
The following is an example of a customs statute dealing with purchasers:
5.3.1 The terms “owner” and “purchaser” include any party with a financial interest in a transaction, including, but not limited to, the actual owner of the goods, the actual purchaser of the goods, a buying or selling agent, a person or firm who imports on consignment, a person or firm who imports under loan or lease, a person or firm who imports for exhibition at a trade fair, a person or firm who imports goods for repair or alteration or further fabrication, etc. Any such owner or purchaser may make entry on his own behalf or may designate a licensed Customs broker to make entry on his behalf and may be shown as the importer of record on the CF 7501. The terms “owner” or “purchaser” would not include a “nominal consignee” who effectively possesses no other right, title, or interest in the goods except as he possessed under a bill of lading, air waybill, or other shipping document.
