Logistics, Trade Administration and Supply Chain

The Packing List is a document prepared by the shipper listing all kinds and quantities of merchandise in a particular shipment. A copy of packing list is often attached to the shipment itself and another copy send directly to the consignee to assist in checking the shipment upon received. In other words, the packing list is also called a bill of parcels. The packing list includes the following elements: Name and address of the seller/shipper/consignor, Name and address of the buyer/consignee, Issuance date, Invoice number, Sales order or contract number, Quantity and description of the goods, Shipping details including weight of the goods, number of packages, shipping marks and shipping numbers, Quantity and description of contents of each package, cartons, crate or container, Any other information as required in the sales contract or documentary credit e.g. country of origin. The packing list is a more detailed version of the commercial invoice but without the price

The Shipper's Export Declaration (SED) is a document prepared by the shipper and presented to a government authority specifying goods expected along with their quantities, weight and destination. Each country has its own SED form. Certain elements are likely to be required in the SED for all countries. The SED typically includes the following elements: Name and address of seller, Name and address of buyer, Issuance date, Export license number (if required, based on certain countries' requirements and goods exported), Country of origin of the goods shipped, Country of final destination of the goods, Quantity and description of the goods, Country of export statistical classification number (some countries do not require this information for shipments under a certain level), Shipping details like, weight of the goods, number of packages and shipping marks and numbers. The SED is used by a nation's customs authority to control exports and compile trade statistic

The Regional Trade Pact Import/Export Declaration is a standardised import/export document used in common by members of a regional trade group containing compliance, administrative and statistical information. This document is typically issued by the exporter or seller (shipper). The typical trade pact import/export declaration contains the following elements: Name and address of the exporter/seller/consignor/shipper, Name and address of the importer/buyer/consignee, Description and value of the goods, A statement of origin of the goods, Country of destination of the goods, Carrier and means of transport, Other compliance, administrative and statistical information. This document is used as an export declaration when exporting from any trade pact member country to a non-member country and as both an import and export declaration when transporting goods across country borders within the trade group. Because of its standardised format, this document is often linked to a

The Inspection Certificate is a document issued by an authority indicating the goods have been inspected, particularly in accordance to a set of industry, customer, government or carrier specifications, prior to shipments and the results of the inspection. Inspection Certificates are generally obtained from a neutral testing organizations e.g. either a government entity or independent surveying company. In some cases, the inspection certificate can come from the manufacturer or shipper but not from the forwarder or logistics company. An Inspection Certificate should include the following details: Details, particularly of the consignor, consignee and the goods' description for the said shipment and other information to be in conformity with other documents e.g. documentary credit, commercial invoice, packing list, etc. Date of the inspection being made. Statement of sampling methodology. Statement of the results of the inspection. The name, signature and/or stamp or se

The Certificate of Origin is a document issued by a certifying authority stating the country of origin of the goods which are to be exported to another country. The Certificate of Origin should include the following elements: Key details (particularly the consignor, consignee and description of goods) regarding the shipment. Also such details to be in conformity wit other documents e.g. documentary credit, commercial invoice and packing list. A statement of origin of the goods listed therein. The name, authorised signatory and/or stamp or seal of the certifying body, such as the chamber of commerce, trade associations, etc. A NAFTA (North America Free Trade Area) contains the following elements: Name and address of the exporter (shipper). Blanket period of the shipment (for multiple shipments of identical goods for a specified period of up to one year. Name and address of the importer (consignee). Name and address of the producer (manufacturer). Description of the good