The customs of various countries have different requirements for the documents of import goods. Due to the numerous process links, improper operation of the documents often occurs in the process of export of goods, which will not only lose money, but also delay the delivery of goods.
To this end, we have sorted out the main document requirements of the customs of all countries in the world, understood the matters needing attention on the document of all countries, and avoided the unnecessary document problems in the export of goods.
German import document requirements
Goods exported to Germany or transshipped through Germany: HS Code (at least 4 digits) for each cargo class must be shown on the cargo bill of lading manifesto. HS Code must be maintained in Commodity Code field of cargo information.
Requirements for import documents from Holland and Spain
For export to Netherlands and Spain: bill of lading must be as detailed and accurate as possible.
The package and number of pieces of the goods must be accurately entered, and the package must be the minimum package visible after opening the container; The number of pieces is the number of pieces actually loaded in each container.
Columbia import document requirements
For goods exported to Colombia: the customs only accepts original bill of lading, sea waybill and telex release operation are not accepted.
The consignee on the documents must be a local company in Colombia. When the consignee is “To Order” or “To Order of Shipper”, the notifying party must be a local company in Colombia. When the consignee is a freight forwarder, the bill of lading must show its ACI Code (International Cargo Agency Code).
Indian import document requirement
Cargo exported to India or transshipped through India: all cargo details and 6-digit H.S. Code for all cargo classes must be shown on the document.
For goods exported to India: the consignee’s Import Export Code (IEC) shall be shown on the documents.
The Permanent Account Number (PAN) of the consignee or notifying party should be shown on the documents.
The Invoice Value should be displayed in the customs declaration manifest.
Documentation requirements for export to Canada
Goods exported to Canada: must show a clear and detailed description of the goods, not general name such as “Foodstuff”.
Malaysian documents required
For goods exported to Malaysia (not Sabah) : 6 digit HS Code should be entered in the HS Code field of “Cargo Info”. If there are different types of goods, the highest value of goods must be entered.
A straight bill of lading, at least one of the consignee or notifying party is required to be a Malaysian company. To order a bill of lading, the notifying party must be a company locally registered in Malaysia. Complete shipper company name and address information must be displayed.
For goods exported to sabah Malaysia: the number, weight and volume of each case must be shown in the document.
6 bits of HS Code for each Cargo should be maintained in the HS Code field of “Cargo Info”.
A straight bill of lading, at least one of the consignee or notifying party is required to be a Malaysian company; To order a bill of lading, the notifying party must be a company locally registered in Malaysia.
The postal code of the consignee must be shown on the straight bill of lading. Instructing the bill of lading, showing the notifying party’s postal code.
Complete shipper company name and address information must be displayed.
For Cargo transshipment via Malaysia: enter 6-digit HS CODE in “CARGO INFO”. If there are different types of Cargo, you must enter HS CODE for the highest Cargo value.
Requirements for import documents from bahrain
Cargo exported to bahraine: the number of pieces, weight and volume of each container must be entered in the bill of lading and manifest.
At least one of the consignee or notifying party must be a local Bahraini company with full name and address. If the consignee is “To Order” or “To Order of Shipper”, notifying party must be a local Bahraini company with full name and address.
To avoid additional charges, each port of departure agent should submit an application for amendment of documents at least 72 hours before the arrival of the vessel.
Once the manifest data is sent to the customs, any request for change will need to be checked and approved by the customs. For the request to change the consignee or the notifying party, the original consignee will need to provide a “no objection” certificate to the customs.
In addition, according to the requirements of the Bahrain Port Authority, goods imported into Bahrain from 1 April 2020 (the date of submission of the import manifest) will also be required to show the 6-digit HS CODE of the main cargo (highest value) on the manifest.
Requirement for export documents to Saudi Arabia
For goods imported into Saudi Arabia: straight bill of lading, consignee must show full address and contact information in Saudi Arabia.
To order a bill of lading, notifying party to show full address and contact information in Saudi Arabia.
Vegetable and fruit products are not allowed to use wooden packaging.
Moroccan documents are required
Cargo imported to Morocco: 4 HS CODE must be shown on description.
The consignee ICE(Identifiant Commun de l ‘Entreprise) must be shown.
Transportation mode must be CY-FO.
Requirement for import documents from Ecuador
For goods exported to Ecuador: the customs only accepts original bill of lading, sea waybill and telex release operation are not accepted.
At least one of the consignee or notifying party must be a local company in Ecuador with a detailed address and tax Number (RUC Number). When the consignee is “To Order” or “To Order of Shipper”, the notifying party must be a local company in Ecuador. And have a detailed address and tax Number (RUC Number).
Paraguay import documentation requirements
For goods exported to Paraguay: order of Consignee only, not order of bank.
The cargo manifest must show at least 4 HS CODE (Harmonized Code) digits.
The consignee or notifying party (in the case of instructing B/L) must show TAX ID Number.
Cargo transshipment via Paraguay: Cargo manifest must show HS CODE of at least 4 digits.
Requirements for import documents from Uruguay
Cargo exported to or transshipped through Uruguay: 4 digits of H.S. Code for all categories must be shown on the document.
The detailed information and Tax ID of the consignee or the notifying party shall be displayed on the documents.
Requirement for Argentine import documents
For goods exported to Argentina: Argentina customs only accepts original bill of lading for customs clearance.
C.U.I.T. Number (Individual Identification Number) of the consignee must be entered in the document. When the consignee is “TO ORDER”, The notifying party’s tax code (C.U.I.T Number) must be entered.
The 6-digit NCM Number (H.S. Code) of the goods must be entered in the description of the goods on the document; If there are different types of cargo, the manifest must show the highest cargo NCM Number(H.S. Code), and the bill of lading can only show the highest cargo NCM Number or all cargo NCM Number in the description according to the customer’s requirements.
When the consignee is a LCL forwarder, “Consolidated cargo” shall be entered in the description of the bill of lading.
Cargo transshipment via Argentina: 6-digit NCM Number (HS CODE) of the cargo must be shown on the document.
Requirement for Chilean import documents
Exports to Chile: the customs does not accept telex release operation.
If Seaway is to be issued, the Release Offce Code must be changed to AHJ.
In the case of a straight bill of lading, the consignee must be a Chilean local company and the documents must show the consignee’s RUT Number.
In the case of an instructive bill of lading, the notifying party cannot act as a customs agent and the document must show the notifying party’s RUT Number.
The words “care of”, “on behalf of” and “as agent of” should not appear in the consignee information of the documents, otherwise the customer will not be able to complete the customs clearance procedures.
For shipments to a third country via a Chilean port, “The CARRIER’s LIABILITY IS END AT AAA” must be entered in THE description of bill of lading. The Shipper DECLARES THAT THE CARRIAGE FROM AAA TO BBB IS in short UNDER THE Merchant’s Arrangement, This situation stated in B/L, AND some RISKS.” “BBB” means the Shipper declared final destination).
Requirement for import documents from Peru
For goods exported to Peru: the customs does not accept telex release operation, only the original bill of lading or original Sea Waybill is accepted, and the original Sea Waybill can only be issued to the forwarder.
At least one of the consignee or notifying party on the document must be a Peruvian locally registered company and show its RUC Number. When the consignee is “To Order” or “To Order of Shipper”, the notifying party must be a Peruvian locally registered company and show its RUC Number.
When a container has more than one seal number, the full seal number must be shown on the bill of lading and manifest.
Honduras import document requirement
For goods exported to Honduras: Honduran customs only accepts the original bill of lading for customs clearance, sea waybill and telex release are not acceptable.
Requirement for import documents from Guatemala
For goods exported to Guatemala: sea freight and additional charges must be clearly shown on the documents, bill of lading and charge manifest must be consistent. Guatemala customs only accepts the original bill of lading for customs clearance, sea waybill and telex release operation are not acceptable.
Requirements for import documents in Nicaragua
For goods exported to Nicaragua: when the consignee is a freight forwarder, sea waybill or telex release can be issued, otherwise the customs only accepts the original bill of lading for customs clearance.
Import documentation requirements for Ghana and Cote d ‘Ivoire
Goods exported to Ghana: at least 6 digits of H.S. Code for each class must be shown on the bill of lading description.
All imported vehicles must show the vehicle identification number, engine number, date of manufacture and model number on the bill of lading and manifest.
All goods to be transshipped to a third country via Ghana port must show the transhipment clause on the bill of lading description and the consignee’s address at this time must be in the country of destination.
The sea freight, THC/DOC at the port of shipment and other Local charges cannot be paid (that is, the bill of lading freight can only be prepaid).
Exports to Cote d ‘Ivoire: 6 digit HS CODE for each class must be shown on the bill of lading description.
The sea freight, THC/DOC at the port of shipment and other Local charges cannot be paid (that is, the bill of lading freight can only be prepaid).
Documentation requirements for export to Greece
Cargo exported to Greece or transshipped through Greece: at least 4 HS codes must be shown in cargo manifest. HS Code must be maintained in the HS Code field of cargo information.
Documentation for export to Ukraine
Cargo exported to Ukraine: All cargo must show H.S. Code (at least 6 digits) in the HS CODE column of CARGO information. The volume of each case must be shown on the documents. The name of the product shall be clear and general names and special characters such as “consumer goods” shall not be used. In case of an order bill of lading or in transit, the notifying party must be in Ukraine and show details such as address, telephone number and Email.
Requirement for export documents to UAE
For Cargo imported to dubai UAE or transhipped via dubai: enter 8-bit HS CODE of the Cargo in the HS CODE field of “Cargo Info”. If there are different types of goods, enter the 8-bit HS CODE of the main goods (goods with the highest value).
Requirement for export documents to Pakistan
Shipments exported to Pakistan: 6 digit H.S. Code for all shipments must be shown on the description.
The net weight of the goods must be indicated in the description. If SOC container, it must be a straight bill of lading and must show the consignee’s NTN(National Tax Number).
Documents exported to Israel
For shipments to Israel: Must enter at least 4 HS codes in the HS CODE field of “CARGO INFO”.
The consignor, consignee and notifying party fields must enter their identity codes:
The identity code of the consignor: the foreign trade license number of the country where the consignor is located. If not, the taxpayer code of the country where the consignor is located can be used.
The consignee or notifying party must be a local company in Israel and show the detailed name and address of the company and its VAT Number; If the cargo is a personal item, the identification number (Israeli) or passport number (non-Israeli).
Documentation for export to Dominica
For goods exported to Dominica: ocean bill of lading is acceptable only if the consignee is the forwarder, otherwise original bill of lading is acceptable only.
Straight bill of lading, must show the consignee’s tax Number (RNC Number), contact telephone Number.
To order the bill of lading, the notifying party must be in Dominica and must show the notifying party’s RNC Number and contact telephone Number.
Documentation requirements for export to Yemen
For goods exported to Yemen: contact number, email address and other information of the consignee must be shown on the bill of lading.
Cargo exported to Panama on documents
Cargo exported to panama: the documents must show a complete description of the cargo, showing the number of pieces, packing and weight corresponding to each shipment. The bill of lading shall show the freight. If the freight is not shown, the customer shall provide the letter of guarantee. The subsequent risks and liabilities arising therefrom shall be borne by the customer.
Documentation requirements for export to Syria
Exports to Syria: import licensing is required. The bill of lading needs to show the net weight of the goods.
The HS code of the name of the goods must be shown in the description of the goods with no less than 6 digits. “General Cargo”,”Foodstuff”,”Consolidated Cargo”,”Commodity as per Packing List”,”Consumer Goods” are not acceptable. The name of the goods on the bill of lading must be the same as the name of the goods booked; Straight Bills of Lading can only be accepted. Marine freight and ISPS charges are only accepted in advance. The consignee’s full name, address (country name, city name, street number, house number and postal code) and valid contact information (telephone, fax, etc.) must be provided. Bills of lading shall be sent and received in accordance with booking.
Requirement for import documents for Puerto Rico
For goods imported to Puerto Rico: Packing type cannot use PALLET, SKID.
The 6 digit H.S. Code of the goods must be shown on the description of the documents. It is not allowed to show STC or Said to Contain in the description.
The consignee must be a local registered company in Puerto Rico and show the detailed company name, address and tax number. When the consignee is “TO ORDER” or “TO ORDER OF SHIPPER”, the notifying party must be a local registered company in Puerto Rico and show the detailed company name, address and tax number.
The consignee’s MRN Number must be shown on the Merchant Registration Number
