I've just got involved in the import and export freight forwarding business and I'm not quite familiar with the documents. I'd like to know specifically what the ten import and export freight forwarding documents are. I hope you can introduce in detail the uses and functions of each document so that I can do my work better. Could you industry insiders please help answer this? Thank you.
I've just entered the export freight forwarding industry and want to know about document preparation. I'm asking how to prepare documents for export freight forwarding and the key points. The best answer states that for document preparation in export freight forwarding, generally, first accept the entrustment to obtain cargo information, prepare the shipping note and book shipping space to get the shipping space allocation receipt, and then prepare the bill of lading. When preparing documents, ensure the accuracy and consistency of information, pay attention to the bill of lading issuance requirements and the cut-off time.
I want to understand the import process for ammonia international freight forwarding and am concerned about potential issues due to improper handling of ammonia as a hazardous chemical. The best answer suggests first finding a professional agency like Zhongshitong, providing detailed cargo information to prepare declaration documents, completing the import hazardous chemical registration, preparing basic documents and related materials, declaring in advance, and releasing the goods after inspection and payment of fees, ensuring transportation complies with regulations.
A novice freight forwarder asks how to export ammonia, saying that they have received an ammonia export business but are not familiar with the process. The best answer points out that ammonia is a hazardous chemical. For export, it is necessary to determine the UN number, prepare documents such as the dangerous package certificate, provide relevant information for booking space, pay attention to sealing and ventilation during transportation, clear customs in a timely manner upon arrival, and also pay attention to the special regulations of various countries.
The company intends to import liquid goods and wants to understand the import process of liquid freight forwarding. The best answer states that in the early stage, the importer needs to provide cargo information and basic documents, and the freight forwarder will assist in the assessment. Subsequently, book shipping space, declare before the goods arrive at the port, cooperate with the inspection and quarantine after arrival, and pick up and deliver the goods after customs clearance. During this period, document preparation and coordination of each link are crucial.
I want to engage in the import and export agency business, but I don't know how to apply. I'm asking about the specific process, required conditions, and whether it involves complicated paperwork and procedures. The best answer points out that you should first register a company with the business scope of "import and export of goods and technologies", and then go to the commerce department, customs, e-port, and foreign exchange administration to handle relevant registrations and procedures in turn. It's generally not difficult to prepare the materials according to the process.
I’m new to import and export business and have hired a customs declaration agency and freight forwarding company. I’d like to understand their export process. The best answer outlines the steps, which include cargo collection and booking (freight forwarder books space, and the cargo owner provides documents), warehousing (transporting goods to the warehouse for inspection and counting), customs declaration (the forwarder submits declarations based on provided documents), shipment loading (loading onto the vessel after customs clearance), and follow-up (updating transport status and assisting with documentation).
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Professional consultant answers
David LiYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Senior customs declaration consultantConsult
The ten common documents for import and export freight forwarding are as follows:
1. Bill of lading: It is a receipt for the goods, a proof of the transportation contract and a voucher for taking delivery of the goods, and it is of crucial importance in international trade.
2. Commercial invoice: Issued by the seller to the buyer, it is used to state the transaction information such as the name, specifications, quantity, price of the goods, etc., and it is an important basis for customs declaration and tax payment.
3. Packing list: It records in detail the packing situation of the goods, such as the number of boxes, the size and weight of each package, etc., facilitating the customs inspection and the consignee to check the goods.
4. Customs declaration form: The document declared by the import and export enterprises to the customs, containing detailed information of the goods, and used for customs supervision, taxation and statistics.
5. Ocean freight booking note: The voucher for the freight forwarder to book shipping space with the shipping company, indicating the basic information and transportation requirements of the goods.
6. Dock receipt: It proves that the goods have been delivered to the designated dock and is an important voucher for obtaining the bill of lading.
7. Certificate of origin: It proves that the goods originate from a specific country or region and is used to enjoy preferential tariffs or trade restriction measures.
8. Insurance policy: It is the voucher for insuring against possible losses during the transportation of the goods.
9. Inspection and quarantine certificate: It proves that the goods have passed inspection and quarantine and meet the relevant standards and regulations.
10. Shipping order: It notifies the shipper that the goods have been allocated to a certain ship and voyage and requires them to load the goods on board on time.
William YangYears of service：5Customer Rating：5.0
International logistics consultantConsult
Among the import and export freight forwarding documents, the bill of lading can determine the ownership of the goods, the commercial invoice can clarify the transaction value, the packing list helps to understand the details of the goods packing, the customs declaration form is essential for customs clearance, the ocean freight booking note initiates the transportation process, the dock receipt links the delivery of the goods with the acquisition of the bill of lading, the certificate of origin is related to tariff preferences, the insurance policy provides protection for the transportation of the goods, the inspection and quarantine certificate ensures the compliance of the goods, and the shipping order indicates the loading time.
Amanda YangYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Cost control consultantConsult
Besides the above ten documents, there are also some other important documents. For example, the manifest, which is a document reflecting the actual loading situation of the goods, and the freight forwarder needs to transmit it to the customs accurately and in a timely manner. Additionally, the weight list is similar to the packing list but focuses more on the weight information of the goods and is sometimes necessary in specific trade scenarios.
Robert ChenYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Customer service consultantConsult
In import and export freight forwarding, the bill of lading is divided into original bill of lading and telex release bill of lading. The original bill of lading requires the original copy for taking delivery of the goods, while the telex release bill of lading releases the goods through electronic information, which is more convenient. The commercial invoice should be filled out in the prescribed format, the packing list should match the actual packing of the goods, and the customs declaration form should be filled out accurately, otherwise it will affect the customs clearance.
Joseph ZhouYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior foreign trade managerConsult
The ocean freight booking note should be filled out with accurate information in advance, the dock receipt should be properly kept, and the loss of it will affect the exchange for the bill of lading. The application for the certificate of origin should comply with the relevant regulations, the insurance policy should be insured reasonably according to the value of the goods, the inspection and quarantine certificate should be processed in a timely manner according to the requirements, and the shipping order should be loaded on board according to the prescribed time to avoid demurrage charges.
Sarah ZhangYears of service：8Customer Rating：5.0
Document expertConsult
The price terms on the commercial invoice are crucial and affect the division of responsibilities and costs between the buyer and the seller. If there are special requirements for the packing of the goods, they should be noted on the packing list. There are differences in the filling out of the customs declaration form for different trade modes. The booking time of the ocean freight booking note should be grasped well to avoid the situation that the shipping space is tight and cannot be booked.
Michelle ChenYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Business coordination consultantConsult
There will be relevant annotations on the dock receipt when the goods enter the yard, and attention should be paid to them. The requirements for the certificate of origin vary in different countries and regions, and it should be applied according to the regulations. Attention should be paid to the insurance clauses and the scope of exemptions on the insurance policy. The inspection and quarantine certificate should be processed according to the requirements of the types of goods and the destination. Attention should be paid to the change of the shipping schedule on the shipping order.
James LiuYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Foreign trade tax refund consultantConsult
The endorsement and transfer of the bill of lading should comply with the regulations, the amount on the commercial invoice should be consistent with the contract. The packing list should consider the requirements of the stability of the goods during the transportation process for the packing. The commodity code on the customs declaration form should be accurately classified. The special transportation conditions for special goods should be noted on the ocean freight booking note.
Elizabeth LiYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Compliance and risk managerConsult
During the circulation process of the dock receipt, attention should be paid to the signature confirmation of each link. The application for the certificate of origin should pay attention to the timeliness. In case of an accident, the insurance policy should be reported and claimed in a timely manner. If there is any non-compliance with the inspection and quarantine certificate, it should be rectified in a timely manner. When loading the goods on board according to the shipping order, attention should be paid to the loading and unloading state of the goods.
Emily LiuYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Settlement and payment expertConsult
The copy of the bill of lading sometimes also has an important role and can be used to check the information in advance. The heading of the commercial invoice should be accurate. The packing list should focus on the marking of the shipping marks of the goods. The declaration on the customs declaration form should be truthful, and the ocean freight booking note should pay attention to the special requirements of the shipping company.