Topic 4: Export documents
Some of the most essential transport documents are Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice, Customs Invoice, Certificate of Origin.
A Bill of Lading serves a number of purposes:
- it is an evidence that the shipping line has received the goods;
- it is an evidence of the contract between the Shipper and the Shipping Line;
- it is a shipping line’s promise to hand over the goods to the Holder of the B/L;
- it is a document of title.
A bill of lading can be negotiable which means it can be transferred to a third party provided it is endorsed.
The Commercial Invoice is the Seller’s formal request for payment. It serves the following purposes:
it is a record of the transaction between the Seller and the Buyer;
it is the basis on which the customs authorities assess how much duty is to be paid;
it is used to confirm the value of the goods for insurance purposes.
Some countries may require the exporter to provide a customs invoice. It requires additional information such as the domestic value and export price of the goods.
The Certificate of Origin is issued by the Chamber of Commerce as a proof of where the goods were produced.
There are two reasons why a certificate of origin is necessary:
if there is a trade agreement between the exporting and importing countries;
for political reasons, to prove that the importers aren’t importing goods from the countries with which trading relations are not desired.
Grammar test
We ….. goods from India.
a) are importing; b) are imported; c) are import.
How and when are the goods ….to Canada?
a) to send; b) to be send; c) to be sent.
The invoice …..on the reverse side to confirm origin of the goods.
a) has stamped; b) are stamped; c) has been stamped.
The Buyer …..a quotation.
a) has been requested; b) has requested; c) request.
This paper …..to confirm the value of the goods.
a) is used; b) is using; c) have been used.
How much duty…..?
a) are paid; b) is to be paid; c) has paid.
Goods ….in standard-sized containers.
were packed; b) was packed; c) has been packed.
This kind of B\L…...
a) can be negotiate; b) can be negotiated; c) can be negotiating.
Banks usually ….order Bills of lading.
a) accepts; b) is accept; c) accept.
Ship …..today.
a) are delayed; b) have been delayed; c) has been delayed.
Which transport …. this Bill of Lading cover?
a) does; b) do; c) is.
If the Bill of Lading … dirty the Consignee may refuse to take delivery of the goods.
a) is; b) was; c) will be.
The Bill of Lading ….to the third party.
a) transferred; b) will transfer; c) will be transferred.
The ship ….probably ….at the port of destination on the 1st of September.
a) are…..arriving; b) will…arrive; c) was…arrived.
Once the goods ….to the port the authority signs the shipping note.
a) have been delivered; b) has been delivered; c) were delivered.
The shipping note …..the port authorities with information about the goods to be transported.
a) provide; b) is provided; c) provides.
He has to prove that the goods ….to the port.
a) have been delivered; b) was delivered; c) were delivering.
A dirty Bill of Lading …..as an unclean.
a) knows; b) are known; c) is known.
These containers …..by the customs authorities.
a) was not inspected; b) were not inspected; c) were not inspecting.
Original 3 …..“For Shipper”.
a) is marked; b) marked; c) is marking.
The Agent …..a pro forma invoice in order to be able to fix his own prices.
a) need; b) will need; c) will be need.
Our trading relations…...
a) don’t desire; b) didn’t desire; c) are not desired.