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 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...

The commercial invoice is the key accounting document describing the commercial transaction between the buyer and the seller. The commercial invoice includes the following elements: Name and address of the seller Name and address of the buyer Date of issuance Invoice number Order or contract number Purchase order number Quantity and description of the goods Unit price, total price, other agreed upon charges and total invoice amount stated in the currency of the contract or letter of credit Terms of delivery and payment Shipping details, including weight of the goods, number of packages and shipping marks Authorised signature of the company representative filling out the form Any other information as required in the sales contract or letter of credit Cautions and Notes for Documentary Letters of Credit In transactions involving a documentary letter of credit, it is vitally important that the description of the goods in the commercial invoice correspond precisely...

Documents play a key role in international transactions. Both buyers and sellers need documents for bookkeeping, accounting, taxation, export and import formalities, as well as making payments using letters of credit and other documentary payment methods. This segment will give some examples of the most commonly used documents in the international trade. It is not an exhaustive listing. Specialized trades, special circumstances and different countries of origin and destination may require additional documentation. Transaction Documents The key transaction document is the invoice or commercial invoice. This document is used by all parties to the transaction for accounting and bookkeeping purposes. It is also required for export and import formalities as well as most banking and payment procedures. Export Documents These are documents required by the customs or national export authority of the country of export and vary greatly from country to country. Included are licenses,...

Container integrity must be maintained to protect against the introduction of unauthorized materials and/or persons. At the point of staffing, procedures must be in place to properly seal and maintain the integrity of the shipping containers. A high security seal must be affixed to all loaded containers bound for the United States. All seals must meet or exceed the current PAS ISO 17712 standards for high security seals. Container Inspections Procedures must be in place to verify the physical integrity of the container structure prior to stuffing, to include the reliability of the locking mechanism of the doors. A 7-point checklist or inspection process is recommended for all containers based on the following circumstances: Front Wall Left Side Right Side Floor Ceiling/Roof Inside/Outside Doors Outside/Undercarriage Container Seals Written procedures must also elaborate how seals are to be controlled and affixed to the laden containers, to include procedures for...

In the last episode on March 2012 , we had given some brief introduction on what is C-TPAT and now, we are going to continue with the topic today which covers the requirements for importers. C-TPAT Security Criteria for Importers Importers must conduct a comprehensive assessment of their international supply chains based on the C-TPAT security criteria. Where an importer outsource or contracts elements of their supply chain, such as foreign facility, conveyance, domestic warehouse or other elements, the importer must work with those business partners in order to ensure that pertinent security measures are in place and adhered to throughout their supply chain. The supply chain for C-TPAT purposes is defined from the point of origin (manufacturer, supplier or vendor) through to point of distribution and recognizes the diverse business models C-TPAT members employ. C-TPAT recognizes the complexity of international supply chain and endorses the application and implementation of se...