Beneficiary's Certificate

The beneficiary's certificate, sometimes referred to as the certificate of assurance, is a certification issued by the beneficiary of the letter of credit (L/C) showing, unless wording is specified in the L/C, the summary of a consignment and declaring (i.e., assuring the consignee) that the shipment in question conforms to the specifications in the sales contract. The exporter can issue a beneficiary's certificate using company letterhead.

Post Receipt

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Courier's Receipt

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Fax Shipping Advice

The fax shipping advice is an advance facsimile (fax) notice to the importer on summary of the shipment. It varies slightly from the mail shipping advice. The information in a fax shipping advice may include the purchase order or contract number, letter of credit (L/C) number and date, description of goods (in general terms), total number of packages, carrier and voyage/flight number, ETD (estimated time of departure) from named port or point of origin, and ETA (estimated time of arrival) at named port or point of destination.

In practice, a fax shipping advice is often sent to the importer even if the L/C does not specifically call for such advice.

The printout of the fax transmission report will show whether or not the advice is successfully transmitted to the importer, the report is a proof of transmission.

Drawback in a fax Shipping Advice

There is a drawback if the letter of credit (L/C) requires a fax shipping advice. Most often, such L/C requirement include a clause calling for an advice to be sent within a specified time, usually only few days after the date of shipment. If the fax machine or the transmission line at the receiving end malfunctions, it may prevent the exporter from complying with the terms of the L/C.

Dangerous Goods Note

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IATA Shipper's Declaration

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Telex Shipping Advice

The purpose and content of a telex shipping advice is similar to a fax shipping advice, except it is sent by telex (teletype exchange or teleprinter and exchange). The telex is no longer in use in most countries. In case a letter of credit (L/C) calls for a telex shipping advice and the exporter does not own a teletype machine, he/she must immediately inform the importer to amend the L/C.

The answerback code on the telex sent is proof that the telex advice has been successfully transmitted.

The drawback if the letter of credit (L/C) requires a telex shipping advice is similar to the drawback in a fax shipping advice.

Corrections or Changes in Different Export Documents

If corrections or changes in any documents are needed, let the issuer of the documents make and/or initial such corrections or changes. Any unauthorized corrections or changes renders the documents invalid and the bank will reject the documents.

The shipper's written declaration in a specialized form is mandatory in the shipment of dangerous goods (hazardous materials) under the international and national regulations. The form is available from the customs broker or forwarder.

The shipper must certify that the contents of the consignment are fully and accurately described by proper shipping name and are classified, packed, marked and labelled, and are in all respects in the proper condition for transport according to the applicable international and national regulations. The description of the goods must be in technical (generic) names, not in brand (trade) names.

The IATA (International Air Transport Association) Dangerous Goods Regulations and the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air govern the carriage of goods by air.

The International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code governs the carriage of goods by sea. The IMDG Code is published by the IMO (International Maritime Organization). The exporter may consult the carrier, customs broker or forwarder about the dangerous goods shipping regulations.

Please refer to the Dangerous Goods and the Hazardous Materials for related information.

Dangerous Goods Note

The Dangerous Goods Note is a dangerous goods declaration, shipping note, and container/vehicle packing certificate. It is required in ocean, road and rail freight. It contains such information as the names and addresses of the exporter, consignee and freight forwarder (if any), vessel, port of loading, port of discharge, destination depot, marks & numbers, number and kind of package, description of goods (indicates the hazard class, UN number, flash point in degrees Celsius), net and gross weight of goods, cube of goods, prefix and container vehicle number, seal number, container/vehicle size and type, name of shipper preparing the note and telephone number, and name and status of declarant.

IATA Shipper's Declaration

The IATA (International Air Transport Association) Shipper's Declaration is used in air freight. Under no circumstances should the declaration be completed and/or signed by a consolidator, a forwarder or an IATA cargo agent. It contains such information as the names and addresses of the shipper and consignee, airport of departure, airport of destination, dangerous goods identification (proper shipping name, class or division, UN or ID number), subsidiary risk, quantity and type of packing, additional handling information, and name/title of signatory.