COMMERCIAL

Documentation must be precise because slight discrepancies or omissions may prevent merchandise from being exported, result in nonpayment or even result in the seizure of the exporter's goods by U.S or foreign government Customs and collection or proper documents are subject to precise time limits and may not be honored by a bank if the time has expired. The exporter or importer of record is ultimately responsible for the accuracy of the documents it they provide. Generally air waybill, bill of lading or truck bill of lading, commercial invoice, certificate of origin, insurance certificate, packing list or other documents required to clear customs and take delivery of the goods.

The number and kind of documents the exporter must deal with varies depending on the origin & destination of the shipment and description of the goods because each country has different import regulations so the exporter or importer must be careful to provide all proper documentation. For additional documentation requirements or information pertaining to foreign/domestic and export/import restrictions.

• Air Freight Shipments: Handled by Air Waybills (AWB) which is a contract between the shipper and airline that states the terms and conditions of air transportation and can never be made in negotiable form.
  
  
• Ocean Bill of Lading (B/L): Receipt for cargo in transit and a contract between the exporter and an ocean carrier for transportation and delivery of goods to a specified party at a specified foreign destination. The Ocean Bill of Lading is issued after the vessel has sailed and the cargo has been entered in the ship's manifest.
  
  
• Commercial Invoice: Bill for the goods from the seller to the buyer and these invoices are often used by governments to determine the true value of goods when assessing customs duties. Governments that use the commercial invoice to control imports will often specify its form, content, numbers of copies, language to be used and other characteristics.
  
  
• Consular Invoice: Document that is required in some countries and it describes the shipment of goods and shows information such as the consignor, consignee and value of the shipment. Certified by the consular official of the foreign country stationed here, it is used by the country's customs officials to verify the value, quantity and nature of the shipment.
  
  
•  Certificate of Origin: Document that is required in certain nations and it is a signed statement as to the origin of the export item. Certificate of origin are usually signed through a semiofficial organization such as a local chamber of commerce. A certificate may still be required even if the commercial invoice contains the information.
  

• Inspection Certification: Required by some purchasers and countries in order to attest to the specifications of the goods shipped and this is usually performed by a third party and often obtained from independent testing organizations. 
  
  
• Dock Receipt & Warehouse Receipt: Used to transfer accountability when the export item is moved by the domestic carrier to the port of embarkation or warehouse and left with the ship line or forwarding agent for export. 
  
  
• Destination Control: Statement appears on the commercial invoice and ocean or air waybill of lading to notify the carrier and all foreign parties that the item can be exported only to certain destinations. 
  
  
• Shipper's Letter of Instructions: The shipping instructions to the forwarder or carrier from the shipper or exporter.
  
  
• An Export License: Government document that authorizes the export of specific goods in specific quantities to a particular destination. This document may be required for most or all exports to some countries or for other countries only under special circumstances. 
  
  
• A Packing List: Itemizes the material in each individual package and indicates the type of package, such as a box, crate, drum, or carton. It also shows the individual net, legal, tare and gross weights and measurements for each package (in both U.S. and metric systems).
  
  
• Package: Markings should be shown along with the shipper's and buyer's references. The list is used by the shipper or forwarding agent to determine the total shipment weight and volume and whether the correct cargo is being shipped.
  
  
• Cargo Insurance Certificate: Used to assure the consignee that insurance will cover the loss of or damage to the cargo during transit. Contact our Transportation Specialist for insurance coverage, limitations and premiums.