Shipping Documentation Hub

Commercial Invoice / Valued Packing List

Itemised list of goods with declared values in GBP. Used by customs at both ends.

Issued by: Shipper

Packing List

Detailed breakdown of cartons/items, weights and dimensions per package.

Issued by: Shipper

Bill of Lading (B/L)

Contract of carriage issued by the carrier. The Original B/L (or telex release) is required to collect cargo.

Issued by: Shipping line / forwarder

Shipper's Letter of Instruction (SLI)

Tells the forwarder how the shipment should be booked, declared and released.

Issued by: Shipper

UK Export Customs Entry (CDS)

Electronic export declaration filed with HMRC via CDS before sailing.

Issued by: Forwarder / customs broker

V5C Logbook (Original)

DVLA registration document. The original must travel with the vehicle for most destinations.

Issued by: DVLA

Bill of Sale / Purchase Invoice

Proof of ownership and declared value used for duties at destination.

Issued by: Seller

Photo ID of Shipper

Passport or driving licence copy required by most destination customs.

Issued by: Shipper

Vehicle photographs

4-corner photos showing condition, plus VIN plate and odometer reading.

Issued by: Shipper

DVLA Permanent Export Notification (V5C/4)

Removes the vehicle from UK records — submit after export.

Issued by: DVLA

Valued Inventory

Numbered list of every carton and item with replacement values in GBP.

Issued by: Shipper

Passport copy

Photo page required by destination customs to verify residency/returning national status.

Issued by: Shipper

Proof of residency abroad

Visa, work permit or rental agreement evidencing relocation — required for duty exemption in most countries.

Issued by: Destination authority

Used Goods Declaration

Signed statement confirming items are used, personally owned and not for resale.

Issued by: Shipper

Certificate of Origin

Confirms where goods were manufactured. Often required for preferential duty rates.

Issued by: Chamber of Commerce

EUR.1 / UK Trade Preference Form

Used for preferential duty treatment under post-Brexit trade agreements.

Issued by: HMRC / forwarder

HS Codes / Tariff Classification

Correct 8–10 digit code per item. Misclassification causes clearance delays and fines.

Issued by: Shipper / broker

Insurance Certificate

Cargo insurance covering marine + war risk. Strongly recommended for all shared container loads.

Issued by: Insurer

SONCAP / PVoC (Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda)

Pre-shipment Conformity Assessment issued by an approved body before sailing.

CTN / BESC (West & Central Africa)

Cargo Tracking Note required by most West African ports (Ghana, Cameroon, Senegal, DR Congo).

Attested Commercial Invoice (GCC)

UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait require Chamber of Commerce + embassy attestation for commercial cargo.

Quarantine Declaration (Australia, NZ)

Strict biosecurity rules — all timber, soil, plant material must be declared and treated.

ISF / Importer Security Filing (USA)

10+2 filing required 24h before sailing for any container destined for the USA.

EORI Number (EU, UK)

Economic Operator Registration & Identification number for any business shipping to/from the EU.