“What documents are required for international air freight?
Export documents required for air shipment. Here’s what you need to do – and do it right – to successfully deliver goods and make money.
1. Commercial Invoice
A good shipping company will even provide daily service to international destinations. However, this service can only be provided if the documentation is correct and stated.
The first document a company needs is a commercial invoice. This will be a specific document that includes a breakdown of each item they will be shipping. In addition to the definition of each item, there is the value of the item and the total value of the consignment.
The document will also explain who the shipper and seller are and where they are located. The seller will use this document to prove ownership of the goods.
2. Consular Invoice
Certain countries require consular invoices to control and identify imported goods. Invoices must be purchased from the consulate of the country to which the goods will be shipped, and must usually be prepared in the language of that country.
3. Certificate of Origin
The Certificate of Origin is used to declare which country the goods come from. This is very important for customs clearance purposes as each international location has different rules and regulations based on the origin of the goods. Certificates of origin are usually certified by an authorized semi-official organization. A Certificate of Origin may be required even if the commercial invoice contains the same information.
4. Electronic Export Information Document (EEI)
The U.S. government currently requires shipping companies to submit a copy of an electronic export information document.
This is required by the U.S. Census Bureau, which the government uses to compile official statistics. This means that all shipping companies must submit this document. All shipments over $2,500 are required regardless of export license type or end user.
5. Bill of Lading
The bill of lading is the basic contract between the owner of the goods and the company employed to transport the goods. It contains information about the parties and the quantity and type of goods in the shipment.
After arriving at the destination air freight receiving place, the consignee usually needs to provide a bill of lading in order to accept the goods.
6. Packing List
There are two types of airway packing lists. One is a Chinese packing list before export declaration, and the other is an English packing list, which is used by the consignee for customs clearance at the destination port.
The contents of the airfreight packing list should include: product name, number of boxes, net weight, gross weight, single product size, material, purpose, quantity of each product name per box, product customs code, box size, order of freight outer box, detailed information of the shipping company .
This is the content of the complete air freight packing list, which can be designed by yourself, or you can entrust an international air freight booking agent.
7. Air Freight Booking Power of Attorney
The Air Freight Booking Power of Attorney is a very important document in international air transportation, which is equivalent to the contract between the shipper and the international air freight forwarding company. The international air freight forwarder will arrange the international air freight service according to the content of the air freight booking right and confirm the correct needs. The Air Freight Booking Power of Attorney is equivalent to an instruction on what to do and how much it will cost.
The details of the air freight booking power of attorney include: shipper, consignee, departure airport, destination airport, product name, number of pieces, weight, volume, airline, flight time, air freight price, and other additional services.
Fill in the air freight booking right and stamp the company’s business or official seal and make a PDF or picture format, scan, fax or mail it to the international air freight forwarding company for air freight booking. Since this document is a valid international air freight contract between you and an international air freight forwarder, it is not recommended to use QQ or WeChat, call or use air freight in the form of booking right.
The Air Freight Booking Power of Attorney should be provided before the production of the goods (preferably the day before). It is easier to arrange earlier flights during peak seasons if the need for accurate information can be confirmed a few days in advance. The airline arranges the class according to the booking time, which is the same as the ticket. The earlier you buy, the easier it is to buy.
8. Air freight warehouse receipt
Air freight warehouse receipts are also called air freight warehouse receipts. After air freight booking, the airline confirms the space and gives warehousing instructions, usually to the shipper or international air freight forwarder, and then according to the warehouse address on the warehouse receipt. Warehouse map and warehousing number to deliver the goods to the designated warehouse.
The warehouse map should be printed to the delivery driver. After the goods arrive at the warehouse, the warehouse receipt should be sent to the warehouse, and the warehouse will arrange warehousing and provide unloading services.
9. Inspection and certification
Some buyers and countries require inspection certificates. This certificate certifies the specifications of the loaded goods. Inspections are usually carried out by third parties. You must obtain an inspection certificate from an independent testing agency.
10. Destination Control Statement
Statements of destination control typically appear on commercial invoices, air waybills, and shipper export declarations (SEDs). The declaration informs the carrier and all foreign parties that the item can only be exported to certain destinations.
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