Shipping Forms

AES Direct
Use AESDirect to file your Electronic Export Information (EEI) to the Automated Export System (AES)
 

Certificate of Origin - U.S.
Certificate of Origin validates claims made on a shipment regarding the country of origin. Exporter prepares this form and the form must be notarized and validated by the locally designated agency in order to be acceptable and valid. Usually, the form is dictated as a requirement by Customs but can also be requested by the importer if they require further validation than is customary on an invoice from the shipper.
 

U.S. Importing: Wood Packing Material Certificate
SWPM (Solid Wood Packaging Materials) is a declaration required to be provided on the shipping and customs documents for any import shipment that contains SWPM or for any shipment that contains goods that originated in China or Hong Kong. The USDA requires that this statement be provided by the exporter certifying that the goods are free from infestation of any type or that if the goods are packed in SWPM that the wood has been properly fumigated or heat treated so as to rid the packing materials of any infestation. This requirement is applicable to all products manufactured in China or Hong Kong, regardless of whether the goods were shipped directly from these origins or were reshipped from another country to the US.
 

U.S. Import-Exports: Customs Power of Attorney
A Power of Attorney (POA) is the legal authority that is provided by importers to a customs broker to allow them to release and/or account for shipments with the United States Customs Territories on behalf of the importer's company. If a United States Resident Importer would like U-Freight to act as their customs broker in the United States on an ongoing basis, these forms must be completed and returned as per the instruction sheet before shipping into the Unites States
 

U.S. Exports: Shippers Export Declaration
The Shipper's Export Declaration (SED) is required by the US Department of Census in order to obtain statistical data and by the Bureau of Industry and Security, (BIS) formerly the Bureau of Export Administration (BXA) to assist in enforcing export controls. Many shipments qualify for an exemption on the basis of the destination and/or the value. (Shipments to most destinations are exempt if the value per Schedule B is $2500 USD or less.) The form is to be prepared and signed by a US shipper (exporter) or their agent, indicating the description (including the Schedule B or HTS number), value, weight, destination, and other basic information about an export shipment. SED information may be submitted electronically through the Automated Export System (AES). For information on SED requirements and exemptions, please review the US Code of Federal Regulations. (Title 15 CFR 30.55 to 30.58 and 15 CFR 758.3)
 

U.S. Exports: NAFTA Certificate
The CF434 NAFTA Certificate of Origin is a US form that is used to validate claims for preferential duty treatment (reduced or duty free entry) under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between the US, Canada and Mexico. Alternative versions of the form which have been approved by Canada or Mexico customs authorities may also be used. This form can be prepared to cover either a single shipment or for a 'blanket' period up to one (1) year. It may be prepared in Spanish, French or English. However, customs authorities may require that a written translation into the importer's language be provided. To request preferential treatment, the NAFTA Certificate must be prepared and signed by the exporter. However, the exporter may ask the actual producer of the goods to prepare and sign one (as the manufacturer) as a supporting document. For more information, please contact US Customs or visit the NAFTA website.
 

U.S. Commercial Invoice
Commercial Invoice describes the parties involved in the shipping transaction and the goods being transported. The seller/exporter provides this form to the Customs. For imports, it should be prepared using the official language of the country to which the goods are being exported, if possible. The Commercial Invoice should include a detailed breakdown of all items included in the shipment: including any generic or scientific name, grade and quantity, composition and/or construction, the country of manufacture, the price or cost, currency used, the Harmonized System number for each commodity and the terms of delivery. The invoice should always be signed and dated by the exporter certifying that the details provided are true and correct representations of the contents covered by the Commercial Invoice.
 

U.S. Pro-Forma Commercial Invoice
A Pro-forma Invoice is a document that is provided by a shipper / supplier when (1) it is required prior to the shipment of merchandise to inform the perspective buyer(s) of the kind and quantities of goods to be sent, their value, and important specifications (weight, size, etc.). It may be needed by an importer in order to arrange for import permits or other clearance purposes. (2) A Proforma Invoice can also be used to provide Customs an invoice for clearance processing where acceptable in situations where the original Commercial Invoice is lost or missing. Customs has final discretion as to its use and acceptability, so it is always best to provide a Commercial Invoice, a pro-forma invoice should never be used in lieu of a Commercial Invoice unless customs indicates acceptability.
 

Canada Customs Invoice
This document should accompany the freight from the point of pickup to the point of customs clearance. An additional copy should be attached to the Bill of Lading. If border clearance is indicated on the Bill of Lading, please write "PARS Clearance" on the Canada Customs Invoice. There are two ways to clear freight moving into Canada; either at the border (PARS) or at an inland sufferance warehouse. Unless your customer requests otherwise, you should request a border clearance via PARS (Pre-arrival review system) in order to minimize cost and expedite your shipment.
*Note: If any forms are incomplete, your shipment may fail PARS which may result in your shipment being re-directed to an inland sufferance warehouse for clearance
 

Canada Customs Power of Attorney
Power of Attorney (POA) is the legal authority that is provided by importers to a customs broker to allow them to release and/or account for shipments with the Canadian Customs Revenue Agency (CCRA) on behalf of the importer's company. If a Canadian Resident Importer would like U-Freight to act as their customs broker in Canada on an ongoing basis, these forms must be completed and returned as per the instruction sheet before shipping into Canada.
 

Canadian Export - NAFTA certificate
NAFTA certificate of origin should be provided for goods that qualify for reduced or duty free entry as a product of one of the three participating member nations: Mexico, United States and Canada. The certificate should be completed by the exporter/manufacturer and provided with the commercial invoice for any shipment consigned to Canada, the United States or Mexico that is $1600.00 CAD or more in value and qualifies under the terms of NAFTA. The form is available in English, French and Spanish.
 

Canadian Export - Shippers Export Declaration
The B13 A is an export declaration form filed with Canada Customs by the Canadian exporter for all out bound shipments consigned to countries other than the United States, Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands that exceed a customs value of $1999.99 CAD. The B13 A is also required for shipments of controlled commodities, as defined by Revenue Canada Customs and related agencies, regardless of the value.
 

U.S. Canadian Border - Required Forms for Carriers
 

Customs HTS Number On-line Look-up Resource
By Chapter, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States. This page contains the chapter-by-chapter listing of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule and general notes. The links below correspond to the various sections in the Table of Contents for the Harmonized Tariff Schedule. Required on all imports as a part of the commodity description.
 

Schedule B Number On-Line Look-up Resource
Allows look up of 8,000 commodity classifications in the Schedule B tariff: Required on documents for statistical classification of domestic and foreign commodities exported from the United States.
 

How to calculate freight shipment measurements
 

U.S. Import-Exports: NAFTA web site
 

U.S. NAFTA Office in Mexico
 

Canadian Transport Ministry - Regulations, FAQ, all Modes of Transport
 

Airport Shipping Codes of the World
Are you looking for JFK Airport, DFW Airport, LAX , BWI, or IAH Airport. Here you will find lists of cities and airports throughout the world with the 3-letter location identifier code for airports and cities.
 

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