The Exporter's Handbook

A tutorial for export transactions - from financing to shipping, INCOTERMS and contracts. Free ebook.

A tutorial for export transactions - from financing to shipping, INCOTERMS and contracts.

The Transaction 

Finding a market for the goods (market research) 
Selecting the marketing channels 
Negotiations 
Pricing 
Distribution channels 
Order 
Contract 
Commercial Invoice

Commercial Invoice must include (minimum): 

Payment Terms 
Mode of Payment 
Division of Costs 
Details of Carrier 
Details of Receiving Party 
Details of Buyer 
Other Details 

For best results use the ECE (Economic Commission for Europe) Standard Commercial Invoice 

Packing List must include (minimum): 

Contents of the Packaging (=of the shipment) 
If more than one package or outer and inner packing – all contents per each packing and per each package must be detailed separately 

Permits and Licenses 

Export licenses if needed 
Standards certificates 
Labeling 
Quality control certificates (highest is ISO, such as ISO-9002 or ISO-9000) Health and phytosanitary certificates 
Veterinary certificates 
Other permits, licenses and certificates 

Service Providers 

Marine Transport 
Air Transport 
Land Transport (lorry, train) 
Insurance 
Warehousing 
Banking and other Financial Services (factoring, forfeiting, etc.) 

Airway Bill of Lading (ABL) 
(More details later – see appendices for samples) 

Holder of ABL does not own goods 
Air Transport Contract not effected – but ABL proof of existence of such contract, including weight, measurements, number of packages and invoice.

Marine Bill of Lading (MBL) 

Proof of receipt of goods in a certain condition 
Proof of existence of transport contract 
MBL facilitates the transfer of ownership 
Negotiable, transferable and assignable