The core set
| Document | What it is | Usually issued by |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | The sale: seller, buyer, goods, quantities, prices, currency, Incoterm. Customs uses it to assess duty. | The seller |
| Packing list | What is in each package: counts, weights, sizes and marks. | The seller or shipper |
| Bill of lading (B/L) | The carrier's receipt for sea cargo and evidence of the contract of carriage. In its original form it can be a document of title. | The carrier, or its agent |
| Sea waybill | A sea transport document that is not a document of title; goods are released to the named receiver. | The carrier |
| Air waybill (AWB) | The transport document for air cargo. It is not a document of title. | The airline, or its agent |
| Certificate of origin | States where the goods were made. Can lower duty under a trade agreement. | An authorised issuing body in the country of export |
| Insurance certificate | Evidence of cargo insurance cover. | The insurer |
Documents that depend on the goods
- Dangerous goods declaration. Required for hazardous cargo, with the UN number, class and packing details. Prepared by the shipper, often with a specialist.
- Safety data sheet (SDS). Describes the hazards of a chemical product. Carriers ask for it before accepting the cargo.
- Phytosanitary certificate. For plants and plant products, issued by the plant quarantine authority of the exporting country.
- Fumigation or heat-treatment marks. Wood packaging used in international shipping is usually treated and stamped under the ISPM 15 standard. See packing and marking.
- Permits and licences. Some goods need an import or export permit before they can move.
Customs declarations in Indonesia
- PIB (Pemberitahuan Impor Barang) is the import declaration.
- PEB (Pemberitahuan Ekspor Barang) is the export declaration.
Both are filed electronically through Indonesia's national single window (INSW) and the customs system, by the importer or exporter or by a licensed customs broker (PPJK) acting for them. We coordinate this with licensed customs brokers. See customs, documents and insurance.
Common reasons documents get stuck
- The invoice, packing list and transport document do not agree on quantities, weights or names.
- The goods description is too vague for customs to classify.
- The HS code on the paperwork does not match the goods.
- A permit or certificate is missing for goods that need one.
We check the set before it is filed. If something is missing or does not match, we tell you what and why.