Export documents: a checklist
Guide · July 10, 2026 · 6 min read
Most delays at customs come down to missing paperwork. The list below covers the majority of shipments; country-specific additions are noted separately.
Needed on every shipment
- Commercial invoice: type and quantity of goods, unit price, delivery terms (Incoterms) and payment terms, all stated clearly.
- Packing list: number of cartons/pallets, gross and net weight, dimensions.
- Export declaration: prepared by the customs broker.
- CMR / bill of lading: the transport contract document.
Added by destination
- European Union: an ATR movement certificate gives a duty advantage on industrial goods. Agricultural goods need EUR.1.
- Russia and CIS: a certificate of origin (Form A or general) and, for most products, a conformity certificate.
- Middle East: some countries require chamber-of-commerce certification of the invoice and origin certificate; others require consular legalisation.
- Food and agriculture: health certificate, phytosanitary certificate, analysis report.
Small but critical
Make sure the HS code on the invoice matches the one on the declaration. If they differ, customs holds the goods and correcting it takes days. Send us the HS code before loading and we will check its counterpart and duty rate in the destination country.
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