Common Export Documents
The following documents are commonly used in exporting, but specific requirements vary by destination and product. For assistance with country-specific documentation requirements, please contact the Trade Information Center at 1-800-USA-TRADE.
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Temporary Import Certificate / ATA CARNET |
The SED is the most common of all export documents. It can be electronically filed using the AESDirect online system.
A bill for the goods from the seller to the buyer. 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, number of copies, language to be used, and other characteristics (see Sample).
The Certificate of Origin is only required by some countries. In many cases, a statement of origin printed on company letterhead will suffice (download generic certificate or see Sample with explanation). Special certificates are needed for countries with which the United States has special trade agreements, such as Mexico, Canada and Israel (see more information on Free Trade Agreements).
A contract between the owner of the goods and the carrier (as with domestic shipments). For vessels, there are two types: a straight bill of lading which is non-negotiable and a negotiable or shipper's order bill of lading. The latter can be bought, sold, or traded while the goods are in transit. The customer usually needs an original as proof of ownership to take possession of the goods (see Sample Short Form Bill of Lading and Sample Liner Bill of Lading).
Temporary Import Certificate / ATA CARNET
An ATA Carnet (a. k. a. "Merchandise Passport") is a document that facilitates the temporary importation of products into foreign countries by eliminating tariffs and value-added taxes (VAT) or the posting of a security deposit normally required at the time of importation.
Used to assure the consignee that insurance will cover the loss of or damage to the cargo during transit (see Sample). These can be obtained from your freight forwarder.
Considerably more detailed and informative than a standard domestic packing list, it itemizes the material in each individual package and indicates the type of package, such as a box, crate, drum, or carton. Both commercial stationers and freight forwarders carry packing list forms.
Import licenses are the responsibility of the importer. Including a copy with the rest of your documentation, however, can sometimes help avoid problems with customs in the destination country.
Required in some countries, it describes the shipment of goods and shows information such as the consignor, consignee, and value of the shipment. If required, copies are available from the destination country's Embassy or Consulate in the U.S.
Air Way Bills
Air freight shipments are handled by air waybills, which can never be made in negotiable form (see Sample).
Required by some purchasers and countries in order to attest to the specifications of the goods shipped. This is usually performed by a third party and often obtained from independent testing organizations.
Dock Receipt and Warehouse Receipt
Used to transfer accountability when the export item is moved by the domestic carrier to the port of embarkation and left with the ship line for export.
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.