Trade Documents-Government Control Documents

International trade involves complex flows of goods and services between many countries.Therefore, a set of documents are used by countries to monitor and control these flows.There usually include:

*Import Licenseand Foreign Exchange Authorization
Many countries use import license and foreign exchange authorization system to restrict imports.Importers have to present pro forma invoices to their licensing authorities or to their central banks,or sometimes to both to apply for the license. If the planned importation is legal and meets current requirement,the license will be issued. Therefore, exporters should not ship to importers who need licenses until the licenes are actually in hand.

*Certificate of Origin
It's a document stating the country of origin of the goods. It's usually required by countries who do not ust customs Invoice or Consular Invoice to set the appropriate duties for imports.It contains the nature,quantity,value of the goods and their place of the manufacture. No particular format exists internationally. It's a long established document and is required as one of the support documents at the time of importation. It enables the buyer not only to process their importation of the goods,but permits preferential import duties where appropriate.
In our country, this certificate is generally issued by the Import and Export commodity Inspection Bureau or China Council for Promotion of International Trade.Nowadays, China enjoys the Generalized System of Preferences(GSP普惠制）treatment granted by many countries like New Zealand,Canada,Japan,and EU members to get preferential import duties. Commonly used GSP documents include GSP Certificate of Origin Form A(表格A产地证）,Certificate of Origin of Textile Products,Export Licenses of Textile Products, Shipment Certificate of Textile Products,etc.

*Export License
At the present time,usually there are very few obstacles placed in the exporter's path by his own government.On the contrary,many governments are assisting and encouraging the export of the goods and extension of oversea market.Nevertheless,there are some occasions when a paricular restriction might be encountered due to the nature of the product,the market to which the goods are being exported or some other reasons.

*Inspection Certificate
Inspection Certificates are used by some countries to implement a control system imposed by government regulation.Its prime function is to ensure that goods are shipped in a quality condition and in accordance with ther terms of the sales contract.It may be issued by government organization or professional inspection companies. In our country, this is generally issued by Import and Export Commodity Inspection Bureau.

*Consular Invoice
Certain countries require a consular invoice to control and identify goods.The invoice must be purchased by the consular of the country to which the goods are shipped to and usually is prepared in the language of that country.

*Customs Invoice
Customs Invoice is required by the importing country in order to clear the customs,to verify country of Origin for import duty and tax purpose,to compare export price and domestic price,and to fix anti-dumping duty,etc. Usually, this invoice is required in exporting to US,Canada,New Zealand,Australia and some African countries.