Air Freight Shipping Documents You Need to Know About
When it comes to shipping by air, there are a lot of regulations that need to be followed, including filling out and submitting the correct accompanying documents. There is a fair amount of documentation required for air freight shipping and getting it wrong can lead to penalties, delays and extra fees.
This may sound daunting but don’t let this put you off choosing air freight as your selected shipping solution. There are a whole wealth of benefits that come with air freight, making the documentation process worth it. And of course, choosing to ship with a freight forwarding provider means that you’ll have a helping hand every step of the way.
Commercial Invoice Document
The commercial invoice is one of the most important documents required as this contains most of the basic information required related to the shipment. This includes a breakdown of all of the items within the cargo, the quantity, weight, value and the origin location. A commercial invoice also requires a commodity code to be filled out, which is a unique number that differentiates your products from others. For UK businesses, this code can easily be found on the UK Government’s website.
Certificate of Origin Document
The Certificate of Origin is a document that is required to declare which country the shipment originated in, even if a commercial invoice contains the same information. This document may be required for customs clearance as each country has different regulations based on where goods originated.
Airway Bill (AWB)
An airway bill is another crucial document that is required for freight by air. Essentially, an AWB is an air freight version of a bill of lading, provided by the IATA. The document is issued by the air carrier to the shipper which serves as a receipt for the goods, as well as a contract of carriage between the carrier and the shipper.
Packing List
A packing list is a fairly straightforward document and provides more detailed information regarding the contents of the cargo. This document covers weight and dimensions of the shipment and a detailed specification of the goods.
Other documents
It’s important to note however that there are a number of other documents that exist in the air freight industry, however they depend on the destination you’re shipping to/from and the contents of your cargo. These documents include:
- Export license or permit
- Customs declaration or Electronic Export Information (EEI)
- Dangerous Goods Declaration
- Insurance Certificate
- Inspection Certification
We advise that you check with your freight forwarding provider for the most accurate information regarding which documents you’ll need depending on your cargo and destination.
Ensuring you have the correct shipping forms is a crucial aspect of freight forwarding, no matter the transportation method. Air freight is no exception to this and failing to present the correct documentation can lead to your shipment being delayed as well as potential penalty fees.
Seamless Shipping with Jenkar
Electing Jenkar as your chosen freight forwarding provider however means that you’ll avoid any disruptions as we’ll work with you to make sure that you have all the correct documentation required for your shipment. If you need to make an international delivery and aren’t sure where to get started, then get in touch with us and a member of our team will be more than happy to help.