5 Documents A Freight Shipping Company Can Commonly Handle

International shipping is fraught with complications. If you do it on your own, you have to handle communications with the various carriers the goods go through, potential customs issues, and the many documents involved in the freight forwarding process. Luckily, a freight shipping company that does forwarding can take care of those details for you. Whether you need Miami freight forwarders or are looking for help with Dominican shipping, a freight shipping company can help you with these documents.

1. Bill of Lading: The Bill of Lading, commonly referred to as a BOL, is a contract between the carrier and the owner of the goods. The BOL can come to be one of two types: Negotiable and non-negotiable. A negotiable bill of lading, or shipper’s order bill of lading, can be bought, sold, or traded while the goods are in transit. Typically, the customer will need the original BOL as proof of ownership in order to take possession of the goods. A nonnegotiable bill of lading, or straight bill, cannot be bought, sold, or traded at any point.
2. Inspection Certificate: The end client may require this document. The inspection certificate is an official assurance that the goods have been inspected or tested and that their quality is acceptable. A third party or independent testing organization usually performs the inspection.
3. Commercial Invoice: This is the bill for the goods from the seller to the buyer. When determining the amount of customs duty, this invoice can be used to asses the true value of the goods. The government of the receiving country typically specifies what details need to be included in the invoice and may require additional copies.
4. Shipper’s Export Declaration: The Shipper’s Export Declaration, or SED, is used for statistics about the export. In the United States, the U.S. Postal Service prepares the declaration for any shipment leaving the country greater than $500.
5. Export License: This is a government document that authorizes the export of goods. The export license authorizes the export in specific quantities to a specific destination.

The rules surrounding these documents can make anyone’s head spin, but a freight shipping company can take care of them all. After handling your documentation, they’ll make sure to use top of the line ocean liners or air cargo shippers. By utilizing air cargo’s short transportation time, the company decreases the risk of damage to your products, ensuring a higher quality. Have your goods delivered in excellent shape and skip the headache of dealing with documents by using a freight forwarding service for your shipping needs.