Foreign trade involves numerous documents to ensure
compliance, facilitate transactions, and standardize processes. These documents
play a key role in implementing what is foreign trade policy, which
governs international trade relationships and regulations. This blog will list and explain documents used in foreign trade, categorized for better understanding.
Customs Declaration Form
The Customs
Declaration Form is a critical document submitted to customs authorities. It
declares the type, quantity, and value of goods being imported or exported,
serving as the basis for calculating customs duties. his is one of the most
commonly used foreign trade documents.
Commercial Invoice
The
Commercial Invoice is a document that provides detailed information about the
goods, their value, and the terms of sale. It is one of the most important
documents used in foreign trade as it serves as proof of the
transaction.
Proforma Invoice
The
Proforma Invoice is a preliminary bill of sale sent to buyers before shipment.
It provides an estimate of costs and is not a payment request but an agreement
on the transaction details. It is categorized under documents used in
external trade.
Freight Invoice
The Freight
Invoice is issued by the freight company, detailing shipping charges and
additional costs incurred during transportation. It is an important
document used in foreign trade for accounting and logistics.
Certified Invoice / Consular Invoice
This document, certified by the consulate of the importing country, provides information about the shipment. It helps ensure compliance with the importing country's regulations and is a vital part of documents used in international trade.
Circulation Documents
Circulation
documents are essential for tracking and ensuring the proper movement of goods.
Below are the types of documents used in foreign trade under
this category:
A.TR Movement Certificates
In
accordance with the Customs Union established between Turkey and the European
Union, the A.TR Movement Certificate is used for exporting processed agricultural
and industrial products to EU countries. This document ensures "Free
Movement of Goods" based on mutual tariff concessions. This is one of the documents
used in foreign trade.
Countries
for which A.TR Certificates are issued include:
- Germany, Austria, Belgium, and many others
within the EU.
EUR.1 Medium Certificate
The EUR.1
Certificate is issued for exports to EFTA (European Free Trade Association)
countries, ECSC (European Coal and Steel Community) products, and countries
with free trade agreements with Turkey. It also applies to agricultural
products exported to the EU. This is one of the significant international
trade documents.
Countries
include Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and others.
FORM A (Special Certificate of Origin)
The FORM A
Certificate shows the preferential origin of goods and is used to benefit from
concessional customs duties under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).
Countries applying GSP include Canada, Japan, and Russia. This document falls
under documents used in foreign trade.
The Certificate of Origin
The
Certificate of Origin indicates the country where goods are produced. It can be
issued for all types of goods and countries. This document helps determine accurate
customs duties and ensures compliance with regulations. It is widely recognized
among documents of trade.
Voucher List (The Packing List)
The Packing
List provides details about the contents of a shipment, including the weight,
dimensions, and packaging of goods. It is essential for customs clearance and
shipment tracking and is included in shipping documents used in foreign
trade.
Loading Note (Instruction)
The Loading
Note includes instructions for the proper loading of goods onto the transport
vehicle. It ensures that shipments are handled and transported safely. This
document is crucial among documents used in external trade.
Insurance Certificate (The Insurance Certificate)
The
Insurance Certificate provides proof of coverage for goods in transit. It
ensures compensation for damages or losses during shipping.
Transportation Document (CONSUMENT) (The Carrier's Decleration / Consignment Note)
The Consignment
Note is issued by the carrier and details the transportation terms, including
the sender, receiver, and type of goods being transported. It is one of the
critical transport documents used in international trade.
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