The principal difference between selling product domestically and selling it abroad is the amount of paperwork involved. You must conform to the laws of two countries, not just one. It may appear daunting to learn about all the rules and requirements and to keep up with all the documentation at first, but it is actually a fairly straightforward process. The first step is to identify the requirements imposed by the U.S. on exports (both general and particular to your product), the next step is to identify the import requirements imposed by your target country, and the final step is to obtain the appropriate certificates.

The average international shipment involves 46 separate documents. The specific documents required for any given shipment depend on U.S. government regulation, destination country’s import regulations, importer’s requirements, terms of sale, methods of payment and mode of transportation.

In order for OceanAiR Logistics’ Transportation Specialist to properly handle shipments, produce the necessary documentation and allow us to specifically understand a company’s shipping needs and requirements, we request that the customer submit the
Shipping Instructions form**.

U.S. Export Requirements:
The U.S. Government requires export documentation for a number of different reasons including national security, control of products in short supply, compiling export statistics, administration of export laws, protection of endangered species, and to protest U.S. export markets by ensuring product quality of specific exports. The main document required by the U.S. government is the Shipper’s Export Declaration (SED), which OceanAiR Logistics files electronically. In order to produce and electronically file the S.E.D., we must have a signed
Forwarding Agent Power of Attorney form** from the shipper/exporter of record.

U.S. Government Links:

1. U.S. Dept. of Commerce Export Controls - Export control policies, licenses, classifications and procedures.
2. Food and Agriculture U.S Exports Requirements and Documentation - Information on U.S. export and foreign import requirements from various USDA and other government agencies.
3. Exporting a Motor Vehicle from the U.S.
4. Export License.
5. U.S.D.A. Export Regulations & Policies

U.S. Federal Agencies:

1. United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
2. United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
3. United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
4. United States Department of Transportation (DOT)
5. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
6. United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
7. United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
8. Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives
9. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)
10. U.S. Court of International Trade
11. U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC)
12. U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA)
13. Export-Import Bank of the United States
14. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Importing Country Requirements:
Each country has different requirements regarding the documentation that accompanies any given import shipment. Importing countries require these documents for the administration of their import laws, assessment of taxes, and protection from hazardous substances and diseases. Some of the more frequently required documents are the following:

• Commercial Invoice
• Bill of Lading or Airway Bill
• Phytosanitary Certificate (for plants or plant products)
• Veterinary Health Certificate (for animals or animal products)
• Packing List
• Certificate of Origin.

Different countries have different documentation requirements. In order to contract OceanAiR Logistics to handle Customs matters and clearance, the
Customs Power of Attorney form** must be filled-out, signed by a corporate officer and returned to one of our Transportation Specialists.

For some of the export or import documentation requirements, see our
Shipping Documentation Requirements page or contact OceanAiR Logistics’ Transportation Specialist, for complete details and information.

For export shipments of vehicles from the U.S., the original title, bill of sale and signed
Vehicle Export Power of Attorney form**, identifying the year, make, model, color and V.I.N.

For all consignments handled by OceanAiR Logistics, we require by the customer a signed
Payment Terms & Agreement form**.

For commercial accounts seeking credit terms, we additionally required a fully completed and signed
Credit Application form**. Credit granting is not a requirement of OceanAiR Logistics, its subsidiaries, officers or employees.