TEXT I
EXPORT DOCUMENTS
Before reading the text check the meaning of the Key Words in the dictionary.
Nouns: invoice, Bill of Lading, consignment, consignee, consigner, owner,
embarkation, request, license, embarkation
Verbs: to issue, to specify, to itemize, to load, to own, to contain, to match, to
arrange, to embark, to match with
In exporting, different Export Documents are typically used: common export-
related documents, certificates of origin, other certificates for shipments of
specific goods, export licenses, temporary shipment documents.
Common Export Documents include Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice, Export
Packing List.
1) Bill of Lading is a shipping document that is issued by the carrier to the
shipper for receipt of the goods. It is a contract between the owner of the goods
and the carrier to deliver the goods, which gives details of a consignment, its
destination and the consignee.
- Inland Bill of Lading is issued by the trucking company and/or the railroad
line for taking the goods from the exporter’s facility to the port of embarkation or
consolidation facility.
- The Ocean Bill of Lading (OBL) is a document required for the
transportation of goods overseas. The document specifies the details of the goods
that have to be transported, such as quantity, type and destination.
- The On-board Bill of Lading is issued for goods, which have been loaded
onto the ship.
- The Through Bill of Lading is issued when the goods are to be transported
by more than one carrier.
- The Container Bill of Lading is issued for the transportation of
containerized goods.
- The Groupage Bill of Lading is issued for grouped consignments.
- Air Waybill (AWB) is issued when goods are sent by air. AWBs are non-
negotiable, mainly because of the short amount of time that the goods are in
transit.
2) Invoices
An invoice is a document that contains specific information regarding the goods
shipped.
- Commercial invoice is the seller’s formal request for payment. It is prepared
by the seller/exporter and addressed to the buyer/importer. The invoice identifies
the buyer and seller, describes the goods sold and all terms of sale, including
Incoterms, payment terms, relevant bank information, shipping details, etc.
- Pro-forma invoice is an invoice sent to the buyer before the actual
shipment. It gives the buyer a chance to review the sale terms (quantity of goods,
value, specifications) and get an import license if required. It also allows the
buyer to work with their bank to arrange any financial process for payment. For
example, to open a Documentary Credit (Letter of Credit), the buyer’s bank will
use the pro-forma invoice as a source of information.
- Customs invoice is a special kind of invoice for the customs authorities of
the importing country. It contains additional information such as domestic value
and export price of the goods.
- Consular invoice is the evidence that the goods, which are imported, are not
over-priced.
Export Packing List is a formal document that itemizes a number of details about
the cargo such as seller, buyer, shipper, invoice number, date of shipment, mode
of transport, carrier, description, the type of package (a box, crate, drum, or
carton), the quantity of packages, total net and gross weight (in kilograms),
package marks, etc. The details on the Packing List match exactly with what is
specified on the commercial invoice and Bill of Lading. But pricing information
is not required on the Packing List.
TEXT II
EXPORT DOCUMENTS: CONTINUED
Before reading the text check the meaning of the Key Words in the dictionary.
Nouns: certificate, commodities, admission, authority
Verbs: to declare, to regard, to assess on, to determine, to permit, to simplify, to
authenticate, to approve, to guarantee, to authorize, to certify, to submit
1) Certificate of Origin (CO) is a document that declares, in which country
goods were manufactured. It is required by some countries for all or only certain
products. Practically every country in the world considers the origin of imported
goods, when determining what duty will be assessed on the goods or whether the
goods may be legally imported at all. The number of required copies and
language may vary from country to country.
2) ATA CARNET (temporary shipment certificate). Carnets (“Merchandise
Passports”) are international customs documents that simplify customs
procedures for the temporary import of various types of goods. ATA CARNET is
an international customs document that permits the tax-free and duty-free
temporary export and import of goods for up to one year. The acronym ATA is a
combination of French and English phrases “Admission Temporaire / Temporary
Admission”.
3) Certificate of Analysis is an authenticated document issued by an
appropriate authority that certifies the quality and purity of pharmaceuticals,
animal and plant products being exported. It is required for seeds, grain, health
foods, dietary supplements, fruits and vegetables, and pharmaceutical products.
4) Certificate of Free Sale is a document required in certain countries or for
certain commodities (biologics, food, drugs, medical devices and veterinary
medicine). It certifies that the specified imported goods are normally and freely
sold in the exporting country’s open markets and are approved for export.
5) Dangerous Goods Certificate. Exports submitted for handling by air
carriers and air freight forwarders classified as dangerous goods need to be
accompanied by the Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods required by the
International Air Transport Association (IATA).
6) Health Certificate is required for shipment of live animals and animal
products (processed foodstuffs, poultry, meat, fish seafood, dairy products, and
eggs and egg products).
7) Insurance Certificate is used to guarantee the consignee that insurance will
cover the loss of or damage to the cargo during transit.
8) Export License is a government document that authorizes the export of
specific goods in specific quantities to a particular destination. It is issued by the
appropriate licensing agency after a careful review of the facts surrounding the
given export transaction. It is up to the exporter to determine whether the product
requires a license.
