3. Export-Import Documentation

Completing documentation requirements is one of the steps in trade.

Documentation for export is not complicated. The main documents include invoices, packing lists, certificate of origin, CMR form, bill of lading and air waybill. The first three forms are issued by the consignor, the rest should be completed by carriers.

The basic document is a commercial invoice. It bears names, addresses and other information about the consignor and the consignee and a full description of the goods. Another document is a certificate of origin, which should be completed before the goods are exported. Usually certificates of origin are obtained from chambers of commerce.

A packing list details the contents of a consignment. It contains the number and kind of packages, their contents, the net and gross weight, the dimensions and total size of each package.

Documentation is not complicated, but if exporters or importers have not been punctual enough in providing the required documents, problems are unavoidable.

Consignment may be kept in a warehouse under customs control. In this case storage charges will be set, and they have a tendency to rise as the delay extends. The storage charges have to be paid in full. The warehouse operator will refuse to release the goods until all charges have been settled. Another danger of delay is the loss of confidence by the customer.

4. Customs formalities

Incoming and outgoing passengers must pass passport and visa control, health control and customs inspection of the passenger's baggage.

When the passenger enters or leaves the country he must fill in an entry or exit declaration. All the points of the declaration should be answered in full words and in block letters.

The passenger fills in his name, citizenship, country of residence, permanent address and purpose of his visit. He also declares all dutiable articles and currency he has.

Money not declared is liable to confiscation as smuggling. The violation of currency regulations is regarded as a criminal fence.

Prohibited or restricted articles are usually detained, and the traveller can collect them on his way back. To do this he should present an entry declaration which must be kept by the passenger for the duration of his stay in the country.

The customs officer may ask the passenger to open, unpack and repack his belongings for inspection. And the owner of the luggage is to answer all the questions on the contents of his luggage and present any article for customs examination.

5. Transport Documentation

Every mode of transport has its own specific document. For air transport it is the air waybill (AWB), for sea transport it is the bill of lading (B/L), for international road freight, it is the CMR note.

The air waybill is used for all airfreight; it is completed either by the airline or the airfreight forwarder who establishes the document. The air waybill is not a document of title; it acts as a consignment note and as an accounting document.

The bill of lading is issued either by shipping lines or by freight forwarders. It fulfils three main functions. It's first function is a receipt of goods, as it includes full details of packages and the description of the goods. The second function is the contract of carriage between the shipper and the shipping line. The third function of the bill of lading is as a document of title. This means that anyone who presents it can take delivery of goods.

The CMR is normally completed by the haulier and it is signed by the sender when the goods are collected. The CMR contains all the relevant information about the load and the details of the trailer and the carrier.

There is one more specific document. It’s Single Administrative Document. It was introduced in the European Union and replaced many customs forms. It acts as a declaration. SAD is divided into eight parts. Some parts are filled by exporters, others – by forwarders.