International shipping documents describe who is trading, what is being shipped, how it is packed and where it is going. Incomplete or inconsistent documents can delay export handling, customs clearance, cargo release and delivery.
The exact requirements depend on the product and destination. Importers should ask their destination customs broker to review product-specific requirements before shipment.
Commercial invoice
The commercial invoice normally identifies:
- Seller and buyer legal names and addresses
- Invoice number and date
- Product description
- Quantity and unit price
- Total value and currency
- Incoterm and agreed location
- Country of origin when required
- Payment or trade information relevant to the transaction
Use a clear product description. “Parts,” “accessories,” “gift” or “sample” may not provide enough information for customs assessment.
Packing list
The packing list explains how the goods are packed. It commonly includes:
- Number and type of packages
- Shipping marks
- Contents of each carton, pallet or crate
- Net and gross weight
- External package dimensions
- Total volume
The invoice and packing list should agree. Package quantities, weights and descriptions should not conflict.
Bill of lading or air waybill
For ocean freight, the bill of lading records the carrier movement and shipment parties. For air freight, an air waybill performs a related transport-document function.
Draft details should be checked carefully before final issuance:
- Shipper
- Consignee
- Notify party
- Port or airport of loading
- Port or airport of discharge
- Cargo description
- Package count
- Gross weight and measurement
- Freight terms
The required release method should be confirmed before arrival. Depending on the shipment, this may involve an original bill, telex release, sea waybill or electronic release procedure.
Export customs information in China
The exporter and customs agent may need product, value, quantity and classification information for export declaration. Responsibility depends on the Incoterm and commercial arrangement.
Under an EXW-style collection, confirm whether the supplier can provide the necessary export information. Under FOB, confirm which origin services and charges the supplier is handling.
Product-specific documents
Some goods may require additional documents or approvals, such as:
- Safety data sheet for relevant chemical products
- Battery test documentation
- Fumigation or treatment certificate
- Phytosanitary or health documents
- Certificate of origin
- Product compliance certificates
- Import permits
- Dangerous-goods declaration
- Brand authorisation or intellectual-property evidence
Not every document applies to every shipment. Requirements depend on the exact product, material, use, value and destination.
Wooden packaging information
Importers should identify pallets, crates, dunnage and supports made from solid wood. Some destinations require treatment, compliant marks or a packaging declaration.
Unidentified timber can create inspection, treatment or disposal costs. Photograph the finished packaging and confirm the destination requirements before collection.
Cargo insurance information
If insurance is required, provide the cargo value, product description, packing, route and required coverage. Do not assume that carrier liability equals the commercial value of the cargo.
Pre-departure document check
Before the goods leave China, confirm that:
- Buyer and seller names are correct.
- Product descriptions are specific and consistent.
- Package counts match the physical cargo.
- Gross weights and dimensions use the final packing data.
- Cargo value and currency are correct.
- Destination broker has reviewed product-specific requirements.
- Timber, batteries or restricted materials have been disclosed.
- Consignee and notify-party details are approved.
- Required certificates are available.
- Copies are stored where the importer and broker can access them.
Who should review the documents?
The supplier prepares core commercial information, the China-side forwarder coordinates transport and export handoff, and the destination customs broker assesses import requirements. These parties should work from consistent product and packing information.
Send your shipment details to TengYoda or use our China freight quote checklist.
国际运输单证用于说明交易双方、货物内容、包装方式和运输目的地。文件缺失或相互矛盾可能延迟出口操作、清关、放货和派送。
具体要求取决于产品和目的地。货物离开中国前，进口商应请目的地清关行审核产品专项要求。
商业发票
商业发票通常包括：
- 卖方和买方法定名称及地址
- 发票编号和日期
- 产品描述
- 数量和单价
- 总货值和币种
- 贸易条款和约定地点
- 需要时填写原产国
- 与交易相关的付款或贸易信息
品名应清晰具体。“零件”“配件”“礼品”或“样品”可能不足以支持海关判断。
装箱单
装箱单说明货物如何包装，通常包括：
- 包装数量和形式
- 唛头
- 每个纸箱、托盘或木箱的内容
- 净重和毛重
- 外包装尺寸
- 总体积
商业发票和装箱单应保持一致，件数、重量和品名不能互相冲突。
海运提单或空运单
海运提单记录承运运输和相关主体；空运则使用具有相应运输文件作用的空运单。
正式签发前应认真核对草稿：
- 发货人
- 收货人
- 通知方
- 起运港或机场
- 卸货港或机场
- 货物描述
- 包装件数
- 毛重和体积
- 运费条款
到港前应确认放货方式。根据运输安排，可能使用正本提单、电放、海运单或电子放货程序。
中国出口报关资料
出口方和报关代理可能需要产品、货值、数量和归类资料。由谁负责取决于贸易条款和商务安排。
EXW提货时，需要确认供应商能否提供出口所需资料；FOB条件下，则应确认供应商负责哪些中国端服务和费用。
产品专项文件
部分货物可能还需要：
- 适用化学品的安全数据表
- 电池测试文件
- 熏蒸或处理证书
- 植检或卫生文件
- 原产地证
- 产品合规证书
- 进口许可证
- 危险品申报
- 品牌授权或知识产权证明
并非每票货物都需要上述全部文件，具体取决于产品、材质、用途、货值和目的地。
木质包装资料
进口商应明确托盘、木箱、垫木和支撑物是否使用实木。部分国家要求进行处理、加施合规标识或提供包装声明。
来源不明的木材可能产生查验、处理或销毁费用。提货前应拍摄完整包装照片并确认目的地要求。
货物保险资料
需要投保时，应提供货值、品名、包装、线路和所需保障范围。不要把承运人责任限额误认为等同于货物商业价值。
开船前单证检查
确认以下内容：
- 买卖双方名称正确。
- 品名具体且在各文件中一致。
- 件数与实际货物一致。
- 毛重和尺寸使用最终包装数据。
- 货值和币种正确。
- 目的地清关行已审核产品专项要求。
- 已披露木材、电池或受限材料。
- 收货人和通知方资料已经确认。
- 必要证书已经准备。
- 进口商和清关行可以及时取得文件副本。
哪些人需要审核文件？
供应商提供核心商业资料，中国端货代协调运输与出口交接，目的地清关行评估进口要求。各方应使用一致的产品和包装资料。
把运输资料发送给腾又达，或使用我们的中国货运报价清单。