Commercial Invoice
Export Packing List
Pro Forma Invoice

Airway Bill
Bill of Lading

Export License
Certificate of Origin
Fumigation Certificate
Halal Certificate
Health Certificate
Ingredient Certificate
Inspection Certificate
Insurance Certificate
Phytosanitary Certificate
Radiation Certificate
Weight Certificate

Consular Invoice
Dock Receipt and Warehouse Receipt
Import Licenses

A commercial invoice is a bill for the goods from the seller to the buyer and also often used by governments to determine the true value of goods when assessing customs duties. It shows form, content, number of copies, language to be used, and other characteristics.

Export Packing List

An export packing list contains seller, buyer, shipper, invoice number, date of shipment, mode of transport, carrier, and itemizes quantity, description, the type of package such as box, crate, drum, or carton, the quantity of packages, total net and gross weight (in kilograms), package marks, and dimensions. Both commercial stationers and freight forwarders carry packing list forms serving as conforming documents.

Pro Forma Invoice

A pro forma invoice is prepared by the exporter before shipping the goods, informing the buyer of the goods to be sent, their value, and other key specifications. It can be substituted as an offering of sale or price quotation.

Air freight shipments require airway bills which are shipper-specific, for example Fed-Ex, UPS, and DHL.

Bill of Lading

A bill of lading is a contract between the owner of the goods and the carrier for domestic shipments. For vessels, there are two types: a straight bill of lading (non-negotiable), and a shipper's order bill of lading (negotiable) which can be bought, sold, or traded while the goods are in transit. The customer requires an original as proof of ownership to take possession of the goods.

An export license shows the export of specific goods in specific quantities to a particular destination. This document is required for most or all exports to some countries, or for other countries only under special circumstances.

Certificate of Origin

The Certificate of Origin (CO) is required by certain products. A statement of origin printed on a company letterhead is commonly used. The exporter should verify whether a CO is required with the buyer and/or an experienced shipper/freight forwarder or the Trade Information Center. However, special certificates may be required for countries within the ASEAN Community under the free trade agreement area.

Fumigation Certificate

The Fumigation Certificate provides evidence of the fumigation of exported goods (especially agricultural products, used clothing, etc.) This form assists in the quarantine clearance of any goods of plant or animal origin. The seller is typically required to fumigate the commodity at his or her expense a maximum of 15 days prior to loading.

Halal Certificate

The Halal Certificate is required by most countries in the Middle East; this certificate states that the fresh or frozen meat or poultry products were slaughtered in accordance with Islamic law. Certification by an appropriate chamber and legalization by the consulate of the destination country is compulsory.

Health Certificate

In some countries, live animals and animal products, for example processed foodstuffs, poultry, meat, fish, seafood, dairy products, eggs, and egg products need health certificates to be notarized or certified by a chamber and legalized by a consulate.

Ingredients Certificate

An ingredients certificate must be shown for food products with inadequate or incomplete labels. This certificate is issued by the manufacturer and it provides a description of the product, contents, and percentage of each ingredient; chemical data; microbiological standards; storage instructions; shelf life; and date of manufacture. In case of animal fats, the certificate must state the type of fat used and that the product contains no pork, artificial pork flavor, or pork fat.

Inspection Certificate

A certificate of origin and fumigation certificate are to be provided to the buyer. Costs of all inspection, as well as certificates or documents at the load port, are usually the responsibility of the seller. Independent inspection certificates may be required in some instances.

Insurance Certificate

An insurance certificate assures the consignee that insurance will cover the loss of or damage to the cargo during transit. These can be obtained from your freight forwarder or publishing house. An airway bill can serve as an insurance certificate for a shipment by air. Some countries may require certification or notification.

Phytosanitary Certificate

All shipments of fresh fruits and vegetables, seeds, nuts, flour, rice, grains, lumber, plants, and plant materials require a federal phytosanitary certificate. The certificate must verify that the product is free from specified epidemics and/or agricultural diseases.

Radiation Certificate

Some counties may require this certificate for some plants and animal imports. The certificate states that the products are not contaminated by radioactivity.

Weight Certificate

A certificate of weight is a document issued by customs, certifying gross weight of the exported goods.

A consular invoice is required in some countries. It describes the shipment of goods and shows information such as the consignor, consignee, and value of the shipment. 

Dock Receipt and Warehouse Receipt

A dock receipt and warehouse receipt are 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.

Import License

An import license is the responsibility of the importer and varies depending upon destination and product. The helps avoid problems with customs in the destination country.