Beginner's Guide to Exporting. 4th Edition.

1 4 Beginner’s Guide To Exporting Form Type Description Pro Forma Invoice An invoice presented by the exporters to importers for payment of goods prior to their dispatch. The document is for: • Custom purposes • Advanced payment (partial or full payment). Commercial Invoice Adocumentdescribingthecommercialtransaction between the exporters and importers. The key items found in a commercial invoice include:- • Dates of billing and shipping • Invoice number • Terms of sale, price and quantity • Terms of payment • Details of the buyer and seller • Transportation method • Transportation details • Description of goods The document is issued by exporter for importer to make payment. Bill of Lading A Bill of Lading is a receipt signed by or on behalf of the carrier and issued to the shipper acknowledging that goods, as described in it, have been shipped in a particular vessel to a specified destination or have been received in the shipowner’s custody for shipment. The details include: • The general nature of the goods • Number of packages or pieces • Weight of the goods or their quantity • Condition of the goods • Name and principle place of the carrier • Name of the shipper • Consignee if named by the shipper • Port of loading and port of discharge The document is issued by the freight forwarder to the importer for clearing of goods. LOGISTICS AND EXPORT DOCUMENTATION CHAPTER 4 b) Supporting Documents