Export documents is of prime importance in iin international trade. It is through this documents that financing of shipments, transportation of cargo is possible. Export documents help in implementing transfer of goods to the importer. Export documents are mandatory to realize payment for the consignment safely.
Export documents divided into 3 categories:
A) commercial export documents :
are standardized and harmonized as for the UN layout key These documents fulfill the commercial purposes of both exporters and importers in a trade transaction.
B) Regulatory export documents:
these documents are filled by exporter with regulatory authorities such as the Indian custom, central excise, port authorities and authorized bank. These documents are prescribed under FEMA act for regulatory compliance.
C) Miscellaneous export documents:
Miscellaneous trade documents are prepared on specific demand of either party of trade or to serve any other purpose in trade and logistic operations.
List of export Documents:
A) commercial export documents used globally are
- Proforma invoice
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Application for certificate of inspection
- Certificate of inspection
- Application for certificate of origin
- Certificate of Origin
- Application for certificate of insurance
- certificate of insurance
- Shipping instructions
- Shipping order
- Bill of Lading and AWB
- Bill of Exchange
- Mate’s reciept
- shipment advice
- Letters to the bank for collection of documents
commercial export Documents are subdivided into categories the principal commercial documents and auxiliary commercial documents

B) Regulatory export documents in International trade
- Shipping Bill/ Bill of Export
- Bill Of Entry
- GST-RFD1/GST-RFD11/GSTR 3B
- exchange control declaration form
- Bank realization certificate(BRC)
- terminal handling reciept
- Gate Pass
- Frieght Payment Certificate
- Insurance premium payment certificate
- technical standard certificate

C) Miscellaneous export documents used in international trade are:
- Blacklist certificate
- Weight note
- Verified gross mass ( VGM) weight certificate
- Manufacturers certificate
- Certificate of chemical analysis
- Certificate of shipment
- Health/veterinary/ Sanitary certificate
- Certificate of conditioning
- Certificate of Antiquity Measurement
- cart/ Lorry /Vehicle Ticket
- Carting order
- Shut out advice
- Dock receipt warehouse receipt
- Short shipment form
- Destination control statement
- Fumigation certificate
Note: Auxiliary commercial export documents and principal commercial export documents are shared between exporter and importer.
Main regulatory export documents and allied regulatoryexport documents are shared by exporter or importer with regulatory authorities.