Glossary Terms

It is a non-negotiable document issued by an airline to confirm receipt of goods for air transport. It details the terms and conditions of carriage.

The AWB includes information such as the shipper’s and consignee’s names, flight details, and a description of the goods. It serves as a contract of carriage, a receipt of goods, and a freight bill.

Examples of significant instances include:

• Shipper’s name and address
• Consignee’s name and address
• Flight number and date
• Description of goods
• Weight and dimensions
• Charges and fees

The AWB is essential for international air cargo, ensuring legal and logistical compliance.

Airway Release involves the release of goods by an airline upon presentation of the necessary documents.

Documents include the air waybill, customs declarations, and appropriate identification.

Airlines release goods once all documents are verified.

Verification ensures compliance with legal and regulatory standards.

Airlines follow standardized procedures for documentation and verification.

Examples of necessary documents include air waybills, invoices, and packing lists.

Goods release is finalized only after document verification.

Procedures vary slightly among airlines but generally follow international aviation standards.

Compliance with customs and security regulations is mandatory for airway release.

Approval Documents Sent On refers to a process where documents under a letter of credit are sent to the issuing bank for examination and approval. The negotiating bank does not certify these documents.

Issuing banks include institutions like JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and HSBC. Documents typically include invoices, bills of lading, and insurance certificates. The issuing bank verifies these documents against the letter of credit terms.

This process ensures compliance with the letter of credit conditions. It reduces the risk of discrepancies and potential disputes. The issuing bank’s approval is crucial for the transaction’s completion.

Bill of Lading (B/L) is a legal document issued by a carrier to a shipper. It outlines the type, quantity, and destination of the goods being shipped. It serves as a receipt for the goods and a contract for their transport.

The Bill of Lading includes details such as the shipper’s name, consignee’s name, vessel name, port of loading, port of discharge, and description of goods. It also specifies the terms and conditions of the transport.

There are three main types of Bills of Lading: Straight B/L, Order B/L, and Bearer B/L. Straight B/L is non-negotiable and consigned to a specific person. Order B/L is negotiable and can be transferred by endorsement. Bearer B/L is negotiable and can be transferred by delivery.

The Bill of Lading functions as a document of title, allowing the holder to claim the goods. It also acts as evidence of the contract of carriage and the receipt of goods.

A Carrier’s Certificate is a document issued by the carrier certifying the receipt of goods for shipment. It is often required for customs clearance.

The certificate includes details such as the description of goods, quantity, and destination. It is essential for international shipping.

Customs authorities use the Carrier’s Certificate to verify the shipment’s contents. This document ensures compliance with import regulations.

Examples of carriers include shipping companies, airlines, and freight forwarders.

A Certificate of Analysis certifies the quality and composition of a product. It is often required for pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and food products.

The document includes detailed information about the product’s specifications, such as purity, concentration, and compliance with regulatory standards. For example, a pharmaceutical Certificate of Analysis might list active ingredients, excipients, and their respective concentrations.

In the chemical industry, the certificate might detail the molecular structure, purity level, and any impurities present. Food product certificates often include nutritional information, ingredient lists, and allergen statements.

Manufacturers and suppliers use Certificates of Analysis to ensure product consistency and safety. Regulatory bodies require these documents to verify that products meet legal and safety standards.

A Certificate of Conformity certifies that goods meet required standards and specifications, necessary for regulatory compliance.

Manufacturers, importers, and exporters often need this document. It ensures products adhere to safety, environmental, and quality standards. Examples include electronics, toys, and automotive parts.

Regulatory bodies like the European Union, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the International Organization for Standardization issue these certificates.

A Certificate of Free Sale certifies that goods are legally sold in the country of export. It is often required for regulatory approval in the importing country.

This document is essential for products like pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and food items. It ensures compliance with local laws and standards.

Authorities issuing Certificates of Free Sale include the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in Europe, and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) in Japan.

Importing countries like China, India, and Brazil often demand this certificate for market entry.

A Certificate of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certifies that goods were manufactured in compliance with GMP standards. It is often required for pharmaceuticals and food products.

GMP standards ensure products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards. These standards cover all aspects of production, including raw materials, facilities, and staff training.

Pharmaceuticals and food products must meet GMP standards to ensure safety and efficacy. Examples include medications, dietary supplements, and processed foods.

Regulatory authorities, such as the FDA in the United States and the EMA in Europe, enforce GMP compliance. They conduct inspections and audits to verify adherence to GMP standards.

Manufacturers must maintain detailed records and documentation to demonstrate compliance. This includes batch records, quality control tests, and equipment maintenance logs.

Non-compliance with GMP standards can result in product recalls, legal action, and loss of market access.

A Certificate of Inspection is a document certifying that goods were inspected and meet specified requirements. It is often issued by a third-party inspection company.

This certificate ensures compliance with quality standards. It includes details such as inspection date, inspector’s name, and inspection results.

Third-party inspection companies like SGS, Bureau Veritas, and Intertek commonly issue these certificates. They verify product quality, quantity, and condition before shipment.

Certificates of Inspection are crucial in international trade. They provide assurance to buyers and sellers that goods meet agreed-upon standards.

A Certificate of Manufacture certifies that the exporter manufactured the goods. It is often required for customs clearance.

This document includes details such as the manufacturer’s name, address, and the production date. It also lists the goods’ descriptions, quantities, and specifications.

Customs authorities use this certificate to verify the origin and authenticity of the goods. It helps ensure compliance with import regulations and trade agreements.

Examples of goods requiring this certificate include electronics, textiles, and machinery.

A Certificate of Non-Preferential Origin certifies that goods do not qualify for preferential tariff treatment under trade agreements.

This certificate is issued by authorized bodies such as chambers of commerce. It is required for customs clearance in many countries.

Examples of goods needing this certificate include electronics, textiles, and machinery.

A Certificate of Origin certifies the country where goods were manufactured or produced. It is used for customs and tariff purposes.

This document includes details such as the exporter’s name, the consignee’s name, a description of the goods, and the country of origin. Examples of countries include the United States, China, Germany, and Japan.

Customs authorities use the Certificate of Origin to determine the applicable tariffs and duties. It is essential for international trade compliance.

A Certificate of Preferential Origin certifies that goods qualify for preferential tariff treatment under specific trade agreements.

Trade agreements include NAFTA, EU Free Trade Agreements, and ASEAN Free Trade Area.

This certificate is essential for exporters and importers to benefit from reduced tariffs.

Customs authorities require this document to verify eligibility for preferential treatment.

A Charter Party Bill of Lading is a document issued under a charter party. It serves as a receipt for cargo and as a contract of carriage. It delineates responsibilities between the shipowner and the charterer.

A charter party is a contract where a shipowner leases their vessel to a charterer for transporting goods. Examples include time charter, voyage charter, and demise charter.

This bill of lading holds significance in maritime law. It entails details like the vessel’s name, cargo description, loading port, and discharge port. It also verifies that the cargo has been loaded in good order.

Various stakeholders, such as shippers, consignees, and banks, rely on this document. It facilitates international trade by functioning as a negotiable instrument.

Accuracy in this document ensures the correct transfer of title and possession of goods. Misstatements can lead to disputes and financial losses.

A Clean Bill of Lading is a document confirming that goods were received in good condition, without damage or defects.

Examples include:

• Ocean Bill of Lading
• Air Waybill
• Inland Bill of Lading
• Through Bill of Lading

This document is crucial in international trade, ensuring the integrity of shipped goods.

A Combined Transport Document details the transportation of goods using multiple modes, such as sea, road, and rail. It covers the entire journey.

This document includes information on the shipper, consignee, and carrier. It specifies the origin, destination, and transit points. It lists the goods, their quantity, and packaging.

Examples of modes include container ships, trucks, and freight trains. The document ensures accountability across all transport stages. It is essential for international trade, providing a unified record.

Key elements are the bill of lading, waybill, and cargo manifest. These elements ensure legal and logistical coherence.

A commercial invoice is a document issued by the seller to the buyer detailing the goods sold. It includes quantity, price, terms of sale, and payment details. This document serves as a record of the transaction and facilitates customs clearance. Examples of semantic entities include goods (laptops, chairs, vehicles), quantities (100 units, 50 kilograms), and terms of sale (FOB, CIF).

By following detailed specifications and eliminating unnecessary terms, a commercial invoice optimizes clarity. For customs purposes, listing all significant instances such as item descriptions, HS codes, and total value is crucial. Appoint specific verbs such as "lists" for improved understanding and cultural appropriateness.

Anchor texts like "payment details" and "terms of sale" match respective target pages, enhancing navigability. Emphasize numerical precision, e.g., "100 laptops” instead of vague terms like "numerous items".

By simplifying and directly addressing queries, the document enhances retrieval efficiency. For instance, addressing "What information does a commercial invoice contain?" directly provides specifics like quantity and price.

In conclusion, commercial invoices serve essential roles in documentation and customs procedures, maintaining detailed and precise records of transactions.

Consignee

The consignee is the individual or organization receiving shipped goods, named as the recipient on the bill of lading. Examples include retailers, distributors, and end consumers.

Consignment refers to the delivery of goods to a carrier for transport. It also denotes the goods delivered to a carrier for transport.

Significant instances include: packages, containers, goods shipments, and freight cargo.

Under consignment, the shipper retains ownership until the consignee receives the goods.

A consular invoice is a document required by specific countries. It shows shipment information validated by the consulate of the importing country.

Consular Legalization refers to the certification of documents by the consulate of the destination country. Embassies, consulates, and diplomatic missions certify official records. The process involves verifying signatures, seals, and stamps. Legalization is necessary for personal documents, commercial contracts, and educational certificates. The primary goal is to ensure authenticity and legitimacy. Common examples include birth certificates, marriage licenses, and transcripts.

Legalization typically follows notarization and authentication steps. Each document must first be notarized by a local notary public. State or national authorities then authenticate it. The destination country’s consulate finalizes the legalization. Legally recognized documents facilitate international transactions and personal matters abroad. It eliminates fraud risks and ensures compliance with local laws. Legalization differs from apostille, which only applies to countries in the Hague Convention.

Individuals and businesses frequently need consular legalization. It is mandatory for immigration, international business, and academic pursuits. Legalization guarantees the document’s acceptance in the foreign jurisdiction. Consulates impose specific requirements, such as translations by certified translators. Applicants should verify with consulates for updated guidelines.

Countries like China, Brazil, and Russia require consular legalization. The United States participates in both consular legalization and apostille processes. Each nation’s consulate provides detailed instructions. Completion times and fees vary by consulate. Accuracy in documentation and adherence to guidelines are critical for a smooth process.

A Delivery Order is a document issued by the carrier or freight forwarder instructing the release of goods to the named party. Typically, it is used in combination with a bill of lading.

Semantic entities include: carrier, freight forwarder, goods, named party, and bill of lading.

Examples of delivery orders include instructions from Maersk, FedEx, and DHL. Key information incorporated in delivery orders often consists of consignee details, cargo description, and release conditions.

Delivery orders enable the consignee to collect their cargo from port authorities, warehouses, or logistics partners after shipment arrives at the destination.