Stainless Steel Export Documentation Checklist and Common Discrepancies
From commercial invoice to certificate of origin, an actionable export documentation checklist.
Common export documents: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, mill test certificate (MTC), insurance policy (CIF), customs declaration, and other certificates required by the customer.
High-frequency discrepancies: inconsistency in product name/quantity between invoice and bill of lading, mismatch between certificate of origin and invoice information, missing heat numbers on the MTC, packaging marks inconsistent with the packing list, and insufficient number of document copies required by the letter of credit.
It is recommended that before shipment, the documentation clerk check item by item against the letter of credit/contract and keep a record of the checks; for orders settled by letter of credit, it is better to amend the letter of credit in advance than to force a match at the time of document presentation.
