Customs
Documents required for import
In short
Most delays are documentary, not physical. A commercial invoice that describes the goods properly, a packing list whose numbers match, and a transport document in the right name will clear on the day the container lands.
Updated 20 August 2026 · Last reviewed 20 August 2026 · M. Homola, Founder, customs agent
Key takeaways
- The invoice must show the incoterm, the currency, and a description a stranger could classify from.
- Packing list totals must agree with the bill of lading.
- Proof of preferential origin must exist before release, not afterwards.
The checklist
| Document | What it must carry |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Seller, buyer, description, quantity, unit and total price, currency, Incoterm, country of origin |
| Packing list | Carton count, gross and net weight, dimensions, marks |
| Bill of lading / air waybill | Consignee exactly as the importing entity is registered |
| CMR | Road leg, signed on delivery — your procedure 42 evidence |
| Certificate of origin | Where preference or an anti-dumping measure depends on origin |
This is general information, not advice for a specific shipment. Rules change; check the official source or ask us about your consignment.