Global Supply Chain Services
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Documentation
Fort prepares documentation on behalf of the shipper in collaboration with local and federal agencies.
The documents are identified and produced using an exceptional system based on products shipped and the receiving country’s regulations. Below are examples of some of the documents:
| Proforma Invoice | A pro forma invoice is a quote in an invoice format that may be required by the buyer to apply for an import license, contract for pre-shipment inspection, open a letter of credit or arrange for transfer of hard currency. |
| Letter of Credit and Banking Documentation | Letter of credit is a commitment between the buyer and their bank to pay for goods once the exporter ships and presents required documentation. A set of documents needs to be prepared to receive fulfill payment requirements to be received by the exporter. |
| Commercial invoice | Export document that is legal evidence of a sale transaction between seller and a buyer. |
| Packing List | Document providing a detailed description of shipments contents without detailing pricing or value. |
| Hazardous Documents | Any goods considered hazardous (explosives, gases, flammable liquids, solids or substances) must be accompanied with documentation stating how such goods need to be transported and what they are. Class, hazard and all other federally regulated classifications need to be stated on such paperwork allowing carriers to legally transport the cargo. |
| Fumigation Certificate | Document confirming that any wooden components or materials used in a cargo shipment have been fumigated and what method was used to perform fumigation. |
| Inland Bill of Lading | is an agreement that a shipper and carrier enter into when transporting goods through land. An Inland BOL acts as both a receipt from the carrier to the shipper and a contract for transportation of goods. |
| Rail Billing | In order to ship goods via rail a railroad bill of lading needs to be prepared separately of any documents presented for said goods. |
| Prior notice | FDA requires Prior Notice to be prepared for goods being imported or in transit through the USA. |
| EEI Filing | Electronic Export Information (EEI), is required to be filed on exports in excess of $1,500.00 with the Census Bureau to help compile U.S. export and trade statistics. It is also used by other government agencies for trade enforcement purposes. |
| Ocean Bill of Lading | is a legal document which serves as a cargo receipt, a contract of carriage and an ownership document. The consignment of the Bill of Lading may be in a negotiable or non-negotiable form. |
| Airway Bill of Lading | is also a legal document that functions as a receipt for the cargo described, a contract of carriage and an ownership document. The consignment of an airwaybill can only be made in a non-negotiable format. |
| Wood / non wood certificate | These documents are prepared according to country regulations confirming the presence of wood or lack of such. This certificate also confirms if present wood has been treated and what process was used. |
| USDA / AMS certificates | Documents prepared to confirm and certify presence of animal origin contents such as dairy, eggs, meat. Certificates are signed and stamped by the appropriate governmental agency. |
| State Free Sale Certificates | According to many country regulations imported products need confirmation that they are being freely sold in the United States. These certificates also confirm the purity of exported products. |
| Health Certificates | Certificate covering shipment of live animals, plants and animal products informing the importing country that the USA product is free of certain diseases. |
| Phytosanitary Certificates | Certificates relating to or confirming the presence of diseases in agricultural crops. |
| Kosher and Halal Certificates | Halal certificates confirm the product is acceptable in accordance with the Islamic Law, Kosher certificate confirms that products were produced according to the Jewish dietary Law. |
| Manufacturing Declaration | Document provided or prepared for the manufacturer confirming the nature and any relevant information as to the production process and where the goods were produced. |
| CAFTA and NAFTA Document Preparation | CAFTA and USMCA are Free Trade Agreements that are prepared to take advantage of the lifted tariffs that were agreed upon by exporting/importing countries. |
| CARICOM Invoice | Caricom invoice is an invoice needed by 15 countries in the Caribbean Community. This is regulated by the Caribbean Community and Common Market trade agreement to apply tariffs that were agreed upon in the agreement. |
| LOT and Expiry Letters | Documents prepared to confirm the lot numbers and expiration dates that are applied to exported products. |
| Free Sale Certificate | Document confirming goods are legally sold and distributed in the open market without any restrictions. This is provided by the exporting country and is accepted by most importing countries. |
| Certificate of Origin | with consideration of different countries (Israel, Chile) – Certificate issued by approved entity confirming the origin of exported products. A commonly approved form is used in most cases but some countries have prepared their own format that is accepted. |
| Chemical Letters | This document is prepared to confirm the presence or lack of chemicals that are legally not allowed to be imported to certain countries. |
| Certificate of Cleanliness | Certificate prepared by an outside / independent surveyor confirming that transporting conveyance is free of any contaminants that may affect cargo on board. |
| Certificate of Components | Set of documents provided by manufacturers to confirm traceability of all components used in the production process. |
| Certificate of Compliance | Document prepared to certify that the goods comply with the required standards outlined by the consignee or importing country. |
| Consular Documents | Some countries require that some documents pertaining to a consignment need to be certified by their consulate or chamber to be considered a valid document used for import procedures. |
| Sanitary Certificate | an official statement issued by the competent authority of the country of origin certifying that certain sanitary conditions have been satisfied. |