The goods must be cleared from the customs before these can be loaded on the ship. For obtaining customs clearance, the exporter prepares a shipping bill. Shipping bill contains particulars of the goods being exported, the name of the vessel, the port at which goods are (p be discharged, country of final destination, exporters name and address, etc.
Five copies of the shipping bill along with the following documents are then submitted to the customs Appraiser at the customes house :
- Export contract or Export order.
- Letter of credit.
- Commercial invoice.
- Certificate of origin.
- Certificate of inspection, where necessary.
- Marine insurance policy.