A consular invoice is a form that is available from a consular representative of the country to which you are delivering and certifying the shipment of the goods. It is not mandatory in all countries, but it is used to help many emerging economies facilitate customs and tax collection. Packing lists are used for a variety of purposes. On the one hand, U.S. customs officers and customs officers in the country you export to can use the list to identify the goods to be inspected. Second, carriers use export packing lists to prepare waybills. The first document you need to know is the pro forma invoice. This document is usually used as a negotiation tool between a seller and a potential buyer. The pro forma invoice gives your potential buyer an offer for a shipment of goods. In addition to the generic certificate of origin form, there are also country-specific certificates of origin. The United States currently has signed 14 free trade agreements with 20 different countries where U.S.

products qualify for reduced or duty-free rates when imported into those countries. Some free trade agreements, such as NAFTA and DCFTA, cover several countries, including the United States. Much more detailed and informative than a standard national packing list, an export packing list lists sellers, buyers, shippers, invoice number, shipping date, mode of transport, carrier and lists the quantity, description, type of package, such as a box, box, drum or cardboard, the quantity of packages, the total net and gross weight (in kilograms), the marks and dimensions of packaging, if any. Both commercial paper mills and freight forwarders have packing list forms with them. A packing list can be used as a compliant document. It does not replace a commercial invoice. In addition, the United States and foreign customs officers can use the packing list to check the cargo, so the commercial invoice must reflect the information given on the packing list. Export Packing List Used to perform customs controls, to verify that all goods have been shipped and received, to determine the total weight and volume of the shipment, and for insurance claims. It is more detailed than a national packing list or a commercial invoice, although it does not display prices.

It is recommended to always include an export packaging list with the contents of each package, including markings, weights, dimensions (in the United States and in metric dimensions); type of package; the consignor`s reference number; and the buyer`s order number. Certificate of Origin Used by the exporter to certify the country of origin of the exported goods. The certificate of origin is legalized by a local chamber of commerce. See consular documents if this needs to be legalized by the embassy. For companies considering exporting, attention to detail – especially in the form of your documentation – should be a top priority. I often get questions from people who look at this example of a commercial invoice and wonder why it is so different from the invoices their company uses for domestic orders. Remember that invoices you create from your company`s accounting or ERP system are accounting invoices that are used to be paid, not export invoices. Export Permit A permit issued by the U.S. government that grants the PHEIC permission to export certain goods in certain quantities/values to a designated destination. Some goods require a certificate of origin used by foreign customs authorities to ensure that the exporter from the country of origin complies with customs regulations.

They can be generic, meaning there are no trade agreements, or a certificate of origin from the free trade agreement, meaning that preferential treatment such as free or reduced tariffs can be granted. Consular documents These documents, which are required by some foreign customs authorities, are special forms/certificates confirming the value, quantities, consignor, consignee, etc. They are certified by the U.S.-based Foreign Consulate Office prior to export. The Embassy will legalize the commercial invoice, certificate of origin and other supporting shipping documents. The export invoice is an invoice from the seller for the goods. It is a basic document in the export sector. The invoice contains information about the description of the goods, the value of the goods, the shipping conditions, the marks and numbers of the packages, etc. It also includes the date, name and address of the buyer and seller, the name of the ship, the port of destination, the terms of delivery and payment, etc. The exporter can design his own form. Some countries require a specific type of form. Commercial Invoice – Issued by the exporter for the total achievable quantity of goods under the terms of trade. B/L-truck document used for domestic shipments to Canada and Mexico.

The shipper is obliged to provide this information to his carrier. “An exporter can self-classify an item based on their technical knowledge or request a decision from the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Safety (BIS),” sherrod says. “Software, ammunition, aircraft parts and control systems are examples of exports that may require a license.” The customs packing list contains the list of items contained in the shipment that can be compared to the pro forma invoice by any interested party involved in the transaction. This list is sent with the international shipment and is especially convenient for transport companies because they know exactly what is being shipped. Individual customs packing lists are secured on the outside of each individual container to minimize the risk of exporting incorrect goods internationally. “A certificate of insurance is one of the most important documents for a U.S. exporter because it inherently carries the greatest risk,” says Fong. “An insurance certificate guarantees the consignee that the loss or damage of the cargo during the transit process is covered.” An export permit is a government document that authorizes the export of certain items in certain quantities to a specific destination. This document may be required for most or all exports to certain countries. For other countries, it can only be required in special circumstances. Notice of Exclusion – This is an explanation of packages that are excluded from a vessel and that are created by the hangar in question and sent to the exporter.

It is the exporter`s responsibility to ensure that the goods are tested and meet the standards set out in the certificate of conformity. An export packaging list is much more detailed and informative than a standard national packaging list. It lists the material in each package and specifies the type of packaging, for example: a box, a box, a drum or a cardboard box. Dock receipt A receipt indicating that the shipment was received at the steamship terminal. This form is issued by the steamboat company and completed by the exporter or its carrier. Finally, pro forma is used to create the commercial invoice. The key UN presentation has now been accepted when creating a standard invoice. The information requirements for this document were established after reviewing a number of invoice forms used by major exporting organizations. A series of discussions were held with representatives of the Central Customs and Excise Department and the Federation of Custom House Agent`s Association in India. This pro forma, which will be acceptable to many countries, will also facilitate the processing of export documents at different stages. As a rule, the seller`s bank sends the bank check and related documents through the carrier to the buyer`s bank or to a bank with which it has a relationship in the buyer`s country.

If the buyer authorizes payment for the goods, the buyer`s bank releases the documents to the buyer and transfers the money to the seller`s bank. For more information about the place of these forms in the export process, see Export Shipping Documentation Process. The international commercial invoice is the main document of the export documentation, as it contains all the information about the international sale. The item, quantity, price of products / services sold, delivery and payment conditions, as well as taxes and other expenses that may be included in the sale are indicated in an international commercial invoice. For export, it is equally important to bring your goods beyond customs. Many U.S. federal agencies also pay attention to goods leaving the country. In addition, you must ensure that your exports comply with the guidelines of foreign customs authorities.

The health certificate is only valid if there are foodstuffs of animal or non-animal origin active in international trade. The document certifies that the food contained in the shipment is fit for human consumption and has been checked prior to export to meet all safety standards, rules and regulations. This certificate is issued by authorized government agencies from which the shipment originates. A Declaration of Destination Control (DCS in Part 758.6 of the BIS Export Administration Regulations or AEOI) is required for exports from the United States for items on the Trade Control List that are outside the AEOI99 (products that do not require a licence) or that are controlled in accordance with the International Arms Traffic Regulations (ITAR). A DCS appears on the commercial invoice, sea waybill or air waybill to inform the carrier and all foreign parties that the item can only be exported to certain destinations. For more information, visit the Bureau of Industry and Safety website.