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Shipping documents in international cargo transportation from the USA

When it comes to international cargo transportation from the U.S., shipping documents can be divided into two categories:

• Incoming documents
• Outgoing documents

INCOMING DOCUMENTS for transporting goods from the USA are documents provided by an international cargo transportation company, such as a U.S. Freight Forwarder, NVOCC (Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier), or VOCC (Vessel Operating Common Carrier), to an international shipper. These documents are necessary to initiate, process, and validate an international shipment. Typically, they include the following:

• Freight price quote,
• Booking confirmations and shipping instructions,
• Paperwork related to U.S. domestic cargo carriage,
• Ocean freight carrier's warehouse receipt,
• Invoice for the international shipping cost,
• Sea freight bill of lading,
• Arrival notice,
• A set of paperwork related to the import release at the destination.

OUTGOING DOCUMENTS for transporting goods from the USA are essential paperwork shippers must provide to various parties during international cargo transportation.

• Commercial invoice or valued packing list,
• Shipper's identification for filing a U.S. shipper's export declaration,
• A set of paperwork for shipping from the USA a specific commodity,
• Documents required by an ocean freight carrier to get cargo released to certain countries,
• Dangerous goods declaration, if transporting from the U.S. hazardous goods,
• The destination country's authorities may require other types of legal records.

If you are involved in international cargo transportation from the USA, remember that the shipper or consignee is responsible for providing "incoming documents."

The bill of lading for international shipments in sea freight usually says "SHIPPER'S LOAD AND COUNT" or "SAID BY SHIPPER TO CONTAIN." This means that only the shipper is responsible for the information related to the shipment.

Not providing the required documents on time can lead to cargo delays, extra charges, penalties, or even legal issues.

International shipping documents with AMID Logistics

With AMID Logistics, you can submit and receive outgoing documents online. Suppose you are shipping a regular commodity from the United States. In that case, you will usually need a minimum amount of paperwork to start international cargo transportation with LCL (Less than Container Load).

MANDATORY DOCUMENTS IN SHIPPING GOODS FROM THE USA

A. International Sea Freight Bill of Lading. The title of goods transported from the USA.

B. Commercial Invoice or Valued Packing List. A complete description of the commodity.

ADDITIONAL PAPERWORK DEPENDING ON THE COMMODITY AND THE COUNTRY OF DESTINATION

C. Supplemental Packing List to a commercial invoice. Specifies pieces, weights, and packing type.

D. Wood-packing certificate. Proof of compliance with ISP15.

E. Fumigation Certificate. Proof of cargo fumigation. It is commonly used to ship goods from the U.S. to Australia and New Zealand.

F. Specific requirements in international shipping, depending on the commodity and the destination country:

• Visa,
• Quota,
• Visa/Quota,
• Certificate of Origin,
• North American Free Trade Agreement Certificate of Origin,
• Packing Declaration,
• Dangerous Goods Declaration,
• Fish and Wildlife Declaration,
• Consular Legalized paperwork,
• F.D.A.,
• U.S.D.A.,
• Anti-Dumping, etc.