1. CHAPTER XII SHIPPING DOCUMENTS
Commercial Invoice
Packing List
Ocean Bill of Lading
Marine Insurance Policy
Special Shipping Documents
Pro Forma Invoice

2. Commercial Invoice Must be signed by the shipper or his agent
Information required in a commercial invoice
1) Port of entry
2) Date, place, and names of seller and buyer
3) Detailed description of the goods
4) Quantities in weights and measures
5) Purchase price
6) For consignment, the value of each item that would be in the ordinary course of trade

3. Commercial Invoice Kind of currency
All charges incurred after the port of exportation: freight, insurance, commission.
All rebates, drawbacks, and bounties allowed after exportation
Country of origin
All goods and services furnished for the production not included in the invoice price

4. Commercial Invoice Special Requirements
Separate invoice required for each shipment
Assembled shipments: May be included in one invoice if same consignee by one carrier
Installment shipments: May be included in one invoice if they arrive within 10 consecutive days
Production assists: Must be included
Provided to exporter by importer free or at a reduced cost
Dies, molds, tooling, printing plates, artwork, engineering work, design, and financial assistance

5. Commercial Invoice
Exchange rate: If exporting country uses two or more exchange rates, show exchange rate used
Pro forma invoice:
When a commercial invoice is not available at the time merchandise is entered
Pro forma invoice (prepared by importer) must be filed by importer
Bond must be submitted for production of required invoice within 120 days. If needed for statistical purpose, within 50 days.

6. Frequent Errors in Invoicing
Commission or royalty not included in the price
Cost of goods paid to domestic manufacturer instead of exporter's price including his profit
Omitting value of materials supplied by Importer. Must be included in the invoice price
Replacement goods excluded. Must show full price less allowance for defective goods

7. Frequent Errors in Invoicing
If sold at list price less a discount, invoice shows net price instead of full price less discount
Goods sold at a CIF price but FOB price shown
Importer is shown as purchaser, even if Importer is sales agent or partner of exporter who shares proceeds

8. Packing List Packing recommendations Packing list
Pack and invoice in systematic matter
Show exact quantity of each item in each package
Put marks & numbers of each package
Show those marks & numbers on invoice
Packing list
Easy identification & separation of shipments
Gross Weight and Net Weight
Dimensions of each package
No price shown

9. Ocean Bill of Lading It carries the title to the goods
Goods can be sold during transit with endorsement of the B/L
Carrier does not release goods without original B/L

10. Ocean Bill of Lading Letter of Credit & Ocean Bill of Lading:
UCP 600 sets forth the conditions acceptable and unacceptable to banks for payments
Exporter must make sure the B/L conforms to all conditions stipulated in the Letter of Credit.
Importer must check if ocean freight and surcharges are the same as quoted or agreed under FOB.
Importer must pay attention to Arrival Notice as to Arrival date and free period before demurrage starts
Free period: 12 days for Container Freight Station and 7 days for Container Yard

11. Marine Cargo Insurance Policy/Certificate
It covers a loss of or a damage to the cargo during transit
Must meet the following conditions:
Same description of products from a letter of credit
Same coverage required in the letter of credit
Same currency as the letter of credit
Effective date of policy or certificate: the same or earlier than shipment date
Amount of insurance: not less than 110% of CIF or CIP

12. Special Shipping Documents
UNCTAD Certificate of Origin Form A or any Certificate of Origin
If CBP requests, importer must submit it for duty-free entry under special tariff treatment programs and Free Trade Agreements
NAFTA Certificate of Origin
Phytosanitary certificate
Required for importation of fruit or produce issued by exporting country's quarantine inspector
Foreign site certificate of inspection issued by USDA's quarantine inspector
Required for importation of fruit or produce