Watch: Documents for International Ocean and Air Freight
Watch this video for an overview of the principal documents used to describe cargo, arrange international transportation and support import and export procedures.
Quick Overview
International freight documentation varies according to the shipping mode, cargo, route, Incoterm and applicable customs requirements.
Ocean freight normally uses a bill of lading or sea waybill, while air freight uses an air waybill. Commercial invoices and packing lists are commonly required for both modes, with additional documents needed for certain goods and destinations.
Video Transcript
“What documents do you need for international ocean or air freight?
This video explains the principal documents used to describe your goods, arrange transportation and support customs procedures.
You’ll learn about:
Commercial invoices.
Packing lists.
Bills of lading and sea waybills.
Air waybills.
Customs declarations.
Certificates of origin.
Import and export licences.
Dangerous goods documentation.
Insurance certificates.
Ocean freight normally uses a bill of lading or sea waybill, while air freight uses an air waybill. Additional documents may be required depending on the cargo, origin, destination, Incoterm and applicable regulations.
Always check that names, cargo descriptions, quantities, values, package counts, weights and consignee details are consistent across your documents.”
Explore Shipping-Document Resources
This video provides a general overview. Use the iContainers shipping-document resources to learn about individual documents and prepare for an international shipment.
For mode-specific information, read the air-freight documents guide or explore all international freight resources.
