Freight & Crate supplies complete
crating and packing services to assure your valuable
items are shipped safely and securely. Below is
a description of the main types of packing that
we may suggest for your shipment:
The commercial invoice
is the basic statement of the seller to the
buyer for goods shipped; it ideally represents
a complete record of the business transaction
between the exporter and the foreign importer
with regard to the goods sold. It is used
as one of the primary documents in the collection
process and is the main document used by foreign
Customs for control, valuation and duty determination.
It is also a document of content; it must
fully identify the overseas shipment as well
as serve as the basis in preparing all other
documents covering the shipment. All data
contained in the invoice must conform to the
particular entry requirements of the foreign
country to which the goods are being shipped.
Commercial Invoice Tips
The Commercial
Invoice represents a complete record of
the business transaction between the exporter
and the foreign importer with regard to
the goods sold. It is also a document
of content; it must fully identify the
overseas shipment as well as serve as
the basis in preparing all other documents
covering the shipment.
The description of each commodity being
shipped should include: Name by which
item is known (generic and scientific,
if any) Harmonized system classification
number Grade and quantity of commodity
Marks, numbers and symbols under which
the commodity is packaged and sold Composition
and/or construction of product Purchase
price of each item (in the currency of
purchase) and total invoice value All
charges and discounts associated with
the transaction (including packaging,
transportation, insurance, etc.) and the
terms of sale Type of packaging Always
include a copy of your Commercial Invoice
INSIDE as well as OUTSIDE the package.
A certificate of origin
is a document presented to customs authorities
at the time of importation to authenticate
the national origin of the merchandise. The
certificate is signed by the shipper and may
be certified by a local chamber of commerce,
notarized, and even visaed by a resident foreign
consul. Certificates of origin may be required
to determine origin because of treaty arrangements,
varying duty rates based on the origin of
the goods, or most-favored-nation treatment
that may benefit goods of U.S. origin. Certain
countries may also use the certificate of
origin for exchange purposes.
Certificate of Origin Tips
A Certificate of Origin
certifies the country in which goods to
be shipped were manufactured. It may be
required depending on the commodity to
be exported and its destination. Many
countries restrict the importation of
goods from certain nations, limit (by
country) the amount of a particular commodity
that can be imported or give favorable
duty treatment to goods originating in
specific countries.
To check whether this certificate
is required for your export, call Freight
& Crate International Customer Service,
1-800-949-1268. Once completed, this form
must be notarized and then certified by
your local chamber of commerce.
One original and two copies
are required.
Always include a copy of
your Certificate of Origin INSIDE as well
as OUTSIDE the package.
For your convenience, Freight
& Crate Services can prepare the Certificate
of Origin for US$30 when sent via overnight
letter to a US location, or US$40 when
sent via overnight letter to an international
location. For more information on this
service, call 1-800-949-1268.
A Shipper's Letter
of Instruction is required by the carrier
or freight forwarders as a prerequisite to
obtain (besides the data needed) authority
to issue and sign the waybill in the shipper's
name. Shipper's Letter of Instruction Tips
* Describes any special instructions regarding
the shipment.
Canada, Mexico and
the United States developed a uniform certificate
of origin to certify that originating goods
imported into their territories qualify for
preferential treatment accorded by the North
American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The
uniform certificate of origin is used in all
three countries and is printed in English,
French and Spanish. The certificate will be
completed in the language of the country of
export or the language of the importing country,
at the exporter's discretion; importers will
submit a translation to their own customs
administration upon request.
A NAFTA certificate of origin can cover a
single importation of goods or multiple importations
of identical goods. Certificates that cover
multiple shipments are called "blanket certificates"
and can apply to goods imported within any
12-month period specified on the certificate.
Although a certificate of origin can only
cover goods imported over a 12-month period,
it remains valid for NAFTA preference claims
made up to four years from the date signed.
The certificate of origin must be completed
and signed by the exporter of the goods. When
the exporter is not the producer, the exporter
can complete the certificate on the basis
of knowledge that the good originates; reasonable
reliance on the producer's written representation
that the good originates; or a completed and
signed certificate of origin for the good
voluntarily provided to the exporter by the
producer. A certificate of origin is not required
if a commercial importation of goods does
not exceed US$1,000 (CAD$1,600) in value.
It is also not required for noncommercial
importation.
NAFTA Certificate of
Origin Tips
U.S. Customs regulations require that you
keep this certificate and the backup documentation
for five years from its issuance. Failure
to do so could invalidate the Preferential
Duty Claim. For assistance, call the U.S.
Department of Commerce, (202) 482-4811.
A NAFTA Certificate of Origin is required
when BOTH of these statements apply: Shipment
of more than US$1,000 in merchandise to Mexico
or Canada ONLY, and Shipment of goods that
qualify for NAFTA origin. Rules of origin
are complex and may be determined by country
of manufacture, regional value, content and/or
tariff change (where tariff classification
changes after the completion of processing).
The Harmonized System Tariff Classification
code is also known as the Schedule B number
in the U.S.
Preference Criterion must be accurate; choose
the correct code: A, B, C, D, E or F.
"Net Cost" should be answered with "No"
or "NC"; no other answer applies.
Language in which the certificate is written
is at the exporter's discretion; importers,
however, may be required to submit a translation
of the certificate to their own customs officials.
A NAFTA Certificate of Origin may cover
a single importation of goods or multiple
importation of identical goods. Certificates
that cover multiple shipments are called blanket
certificates and may apply to goods imported
within any 12-month period. A blanket Certificate
of Origin must be on file with the importing
country's customs.
Importers may file a claim for NAFTA tariff
preference up to one year after receipt of
a good and apply for a refund of customs duties.
Be sure to include a copy of your NAFTA
Certificate of Origin INSIDE as well as outside
the shipment.
A packing list may
be required by the importing country, may
be requested by the exporter, and in all cases
will facilitate the clearance of goods through
Customs. When a shipment is small, the data
usually given in the packing list may instead
be incorporated into the commercial invoice.
The completed packing list is used by the
exporter to ascertain the total shipping weight
and volume so that shipping space may be reserved.
It is also used as a check-off list to determine
that the correct cargo has been received.
Finally, it is used by the buyer to inventory
the merchandise received.
Packing List Tips
A packing list shows information necessary
for transport as well as number and kinds
of items being shipped. The Packing List is
valuable in checking whether the shipment
is correct.
Always include a copy of your Packing List
INSIDE as well as OUTSIDE the package.
An invoice provided
by a supplier prior to the actual shipment
of merchandise for the purpose of documenting
to a customer the cost of the merchandise
to be sold, as well as such charges as freight
and insurance. The document is customarily
used by the potential purchaser in applying
for a letter of credit, import license or
foreign exchange allocation.
Proforma Invoice Tips
A Proforma Invoice is the invoice provided
by a supplier prior to the shipment of merchandise,
detailing to the buyer the kinds and quantities
of goods to be sent, their value, weight,
size, etc. It should include freight and
insurance charges, and may be used by the
customer to apply for a letter of credit,
import license or foreign exchange allocation.
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