Supply and commercial
What documents should arrive with a nonwoven shipment?
Five documents are standard and one is application specific. Missing one stops clearance more often than a late container does.
At a glance
Specification at a glance
| Document | Issued by | When it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Seller | Every shipment |
| Packing list | Seller | Every shipment, roll level |
| Bill of lading | Carrier | Every shipment |
| COA | Seller or lab | Batch verification |
| Certificate of origin | Chamber of commerce | Duty preference |
| Test report | Third party lab | Regulated markets |
The packing list is a working document
Roll level detail, with weight, width, length and batch code, is what makes an inspection possible at destination. A packing list that says only the total weight is a document that will be argued with.
Certificates of origin and preference
A CO is not the same as a preference certificate. If the destination has a trade agreement, the specific form is what reduces duty, and it has to be requested before shipment, not after.
Put the commercial question to us directly
Send the volume, the destination port and the document set your customs broker needs. We answer with the terms and the timeline.
Questions
Common questions
Is a COA the same as a test report?
No. A COA states the values for the batch against the specification. A test report comes from a laboratory and usually covers specific methods.
Who pays for third party testing?
By agreement. It is normally quoted separately because it depends on the number of tests and the laboratory.
Can documents be issued after shipment?
Some can, but a missing preference certificate is often unrecoverable. Request documents with the order.