Shipper's Export Declaration (SED)
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:
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 statistics. An SED is usually not required by the buyer in a documentary letter of credit transaction unless the buyer is responsible for the export formalities.
Many nations impose strict controls over the exports of high technology, armaments and drugs and use the SED as a mean for export control over such sensitive goods.. Because many exports can be diverted to any unfriendly nations or individuals, it is considered the responsibility of the exporter to know his cargo, destination, customer, end-use and end-user as well.
Electronic Filing
Some nations like the United States are in the process of instituting various new procedures that will require exporters to submit their SED electronically. This involves using a computer with a modern and specially designed forms of software.
