CHAPTER 6
Export Documents of export documentation. The good news is that for many transactions, export documentation is extremely simple. Exports of non-regulated goods from many countries may require only a commercial invoice, a bill of lading, and an export declaration. It’s that easy. One way to think about export (and import) documentation is that the basic process is very simple, but that each complicating factor adds another document to the process. One complicating factor adds one document, three complicating factors add three documents. Therefore, the key to understanding export documentation is to understand documentation for a basic transaction and then to understand the documentation for the complicating factors. Let’s start with the most straightforward export transaction and then we’ll provide “cheat sheets” for the complicating factors.
THIS CHAPTER PROVIDES A BROAD OVERVIEW
NOTES
1. Throughout this chapter we will assume that the exporter and importer have already made a contract to sell and purchase a set amount of goods. 2. Many documents required for export are also required for shipping, import formalities and banking/payment. Details will be given step-by-step. 3. Many documents mentioned in this chapter are more fully described in other chapters in which case a cross reference to a specific chapter or page is given. A fundamental issue is the difference between “required for export” and “required of the exporter.” The difference is that certain documents are required of the exporter by the export authority whereas other documents are required of the exporter for other purposes including transportation and to satisfy the needs of the importer. The primary concern of this chapter is documentation required for export.
Basic Export Documentation DEFINITION
Basic export transactions are those with no complicating factors whatsoever and therefore require the most minimal documentation. In this example, documentation requirements are for export only and do not include any documentation for import to the country of destination. CONDITIONS AND ASSUMPTIONS
For a basic export transaction, all of the following must apply: ■
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A written or verbal agreement has been made between the parties specifying the product, quantity, price, delivery date, delivery method and all other conditions of sale including who will pay for shipping, insurance, duties and other costs.
