School of Economic Sciences > Extension Economics > Step 10: Shipping Products

Step 10: Shipping Products

The final step is logistically sophisticated. To physically move products overseas sometimes involves 40 steps and 10 parties. If you do not choose a freight forwarder, you must complete all shipping documents, including those for international inspections. These occur at both the U.S. port of exit and the importing country’s port. The most common documents are commercial invoice, packing list, product certificate and sanitation, and various bills of lading.

Step 10.1: The Many Phases of an Export Shipment

There can be as many as 40 steps by 10 separate entities in shipping a product internationally. This is particularly true with ocean shipping and when the payment method is letter of credit.

Step 10.2: Documentation

There is various export documentation required for an export. The most common documents are commercial invoice, packing list, product certificate and sanitation, and various bills of lading. This list does not include all required documents, and some documents perhaps are not necessary depending on payment method, exporter government and importer government. The processing of export documentation is a formidable task; for a new exporter, you should seriously consider having freight forwarders handle it.

Shipper’s Export Declaration (PDF)
Commercial Invoice
- Sample (PDF)
- Sample for agriculture (PDF)

Packing List
- Sample (PDF)
- Sample for agriculture (PDF)

Certificate of Origin
- Sample 1 (PDF)
- Sample 2 (PDF)
- Sample for agriculture (PDF)

Health Certificate
- Sample export certificate for animal products (PDF)
- Sample phytosanitary certificate (PDF)

Certificate of Insurance
- Sample (PDF)
- Sample for agriculture (PDF)

Carrier Receipt
- Sample domestic truck bill of lading (PDF)
- Sample non-negotiable air waybill (PDF)
- Sample air waybill for agriculture (PDF)
- Sample ocean bill of lading (PDF)
- Sample ocean bill of lading for agriculture (PDF)

Step 10.3: Sustaining Success

Congratulations! The order has been made and processed. The shipment has been sent and the payment has been received. But this is noe the end. Once you have completed a sale, you should further strengthen your relationship. It is far easier to enhance your successful partnerships than to build new ones. Provide good after-sales service and be mindful of time zones and cultures when accommodating your customers. These simple efforts could lead to more success in the future.

Action: Maintain and enhance your successful working relationships, in part, by being considerate of different time zones and international working cultures.

Disclaimer: This manual is a demonstration based on interviews of successful exporters. Each individual case is specific and optimal strategy may differ from those discussed here. References to sources and documents outside of WSU Extension and the IMPACT Center are for reader convenience. WSU does not review, control, or take responsibility for their content, nor does WSU or any person therein explicitly or implicitly endorse the positions or policies of these sources.

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