Every mode of transport and every customs operation requires specific documents. Correct and complete documentation is essential to avoid delays, penalties and unexpected costs. Below is an overview of the main documents used in international shipping.
Commercial Invoice (Commercial)
Fundamental document for every international shipment. Describes the commercial transaction, the value of goods and the terms of sale.
Basis for customs declaration and duty calculation
Must state: value, origin, Incoterm, VAT number, detailed description of goods
Required by both the exporting and importing country
Must match the goods shipped exactly
Packing List (Commercial)
Detailed list of the contents of each package in the shipment. Essential complement to the commercial invoice.
Number and type of packages (pallets, cartons, crates, etc.)
Gross and net weight of each package
Dimensions and identification marks
Facilitates customs inspections and logistics management
International Consignment Note (CMR) (Road)
Mandatory transport document for international road shipments. Regulated by the CMR Convention of 1956.
Proof of the transport contract between sender and carrier
Receipt of goods taken in charge by the carrier
Reservations on the condition of goods at collection and delivery
3 copies: sender, carrier, consignee
Bill of Lading (Sea)
The most important document in sea transport. It has a triple function: contract of carriage, receipt of goods and transferable title of ownership.
Negotiable and transferable title of ownership by endorsement
Proof of receipt of goods on board the vessel
Essential for documentary letters of credit (L/C)
Variants exist: clean, claused, through, combined transport
Sea Waybill (Sea)
Non-negotiable alternative to the Bill of Lading. Used when transfer of title of ownership is not required.
Non-negotiable — goods are delivered to the named consignee
Faster than B/L: does not require presentation of the original at delivery
Suitable for shipments between offices of the same company or with established partners
Cannot be used with documentary letters of credit
Air Waybill (Air)
Air transport document issued by the airline or IATA agent. Unlike the B/L, it is not a title of ownership.
Contract of carriage between the forwarder and the airline
Non-negotiable — does not transfer ownership of goods
Contains transport conditions and handling instructions
HAWB (House AWB) issued by the forwarder for consolidated shipments
FBL — FIATA Bill of Lading (Multimodal)
Multimodal transport document issued by the FIATA forwarder. Covers the entire journey of goods regardless of transport modes used.
Negotiable title of ownership, accepted by banks for L/C
Covers door-to-door transport with multiple modes (road, sea, air, rail)
Issued only by FIATA-affiliated forwarders
Subject to UNCTAD/ICC Rules for Multimodal Transport Documents
Export Customs Declaration (Passar) (Customs)
Mandatory electronic declaration for all exports from Switzerland, transmitted via the FOCBS Passar system.
Mandatory for all goods leaving Swiss customs territory
Contains tariff classification, value and origin of goods
Generates the MRN (Movement Reference Number) for tracking
Must be submitted before goods depart
Import Customs Declaration (Customs)
Customs document required in the destination country for import clearance. Format varies by country.
Basis for calculating duties, VAT and other import taxes
Requires the correct HS classification of goods
Submitted by the importer or their customs representative
In the EU: SAD (Single Administrative Document), in the US: Entry Summary
EUR.1 Movement Certificate (Origin)
Certificate attesting the preferential origin of goods, allowing reduced or zero duties under bilateral trade agreements.
Issued by customs in the exporting country at the exporter's request
Valid for a single shipment, validity 4 months from date of issue
Required to benefit from preferential tariffs in free trade agreements
Can be replaced by an invoice declaration for authorised exporters
Origin Declaration on Invoice (Origin)
Alternative to EUR.1 for authorised exporters. The origin declaration is placed directly on the commercial invoice.
Usable without value limits for exporters with customs authorisation
For non-authorised exporters: usable up to CHF 10,400 (approx. EUR 6,000)
Standardised text as required by free trade agreements
Same legal validity as EUR.1 certificate for preferential tariffs
ATR Movement Certificate (Turkey)
Document specific to trade between the EU/Switzerland and Turkey under the customs union. Certifies the free circulation of goods.
Used exclusively for industrial products in trade with Turkey
Does not cover agricultural products, coal and steel (ECSC)
Issued by customs or authorised exporters
Allows exemption from duties under the EU-Turkey customs union
Certificate of Origin (non-preferential) (Origin)
Certifies the country of manufacture of goods. Required by many countries for statistical purposes, trade policy or anti-dumping measures.
Issued by the Chamber of Commerce of the exporting country
Does not grant tariff reductions (unlike EUR.1)
Mandatorily required by some countries (e.g. Arab countries, some African countries)
Often required for documentary letters of credit (L/C)
ATA Carnet (Temporary)
International customs document for temporary admission of goods without payment of duties and VAT. Ideal for fairs, samples and professional equipment.
Valid in over 75 countries party to the Istanbul Convention
Maximum validity of 1 year — goods must return to the country of origin
Covers: commercial samples, fair materials, professional equipment
Issued by Chambers of Commerce — in Switzerland through SCCI
TIR Carnet (Transit)
International customs transit document allowing goods transport across multiple borders with simplified customs formalities.
Regulated by the TIR Convention of 1975 (over 70 member countries)
Vehicle must be sealed by customs at departure
Reduces waiting times at borders thanks to international guarantee
Particularly useful for transport to non-EU countries (Turkey, CIS countries)
Transit Document (T1/T2) (Transit)
Documents for customs transit of goods through the territory of one or more countries without payment of duties.
T1: external transit for non-Union goods passing through EU territory
T2: internal transit for Union goods passing through a third country (e.g. Switzerland)
Managed via the NCTS (New Computerized Transit System)
Requires a guarantee to cover potentially payable duties
Sanitary / Phytosanitary Certificate (Controls)
Mandatory certificates for the import and export of food products, animals, plants and derivatives.
Sanitary certificate: for products of animal origin (meat, dairy, fish)
Phytosanitary certificate: for plants, seeds, timber and plant products
Issued by the sanitary or veterinary authorities of the exporting country
Physical inspection of goods is often required before departure
Certificate of Conformity (CE / other) (Controls)
Certifies that the product complies with the technical and safety standards required in the destination market.
CE marking mandatory for many products sold in the European Economic Area
Declaration of conformity drafted by the manufacturer or importer
For Switzerland: MRA agreement with the EU for mutual recognition
Other standards: UKCA (United Kingdom), FDA (USA), GOST (Russia/EAEU)
Safety Data Sheet (SDS / MSDS) (Dangerous goods)
Mandatory document for the transport, storage and handling of hazardous chemical substances.
16 standardised sections according to GHS/CLP regulation
Must accompany the goods throughout transport
Contains: hazard identification, first aid measures, firefighting measures
Mandatory in all languages of the countries transited
Export / Import Licence (Controls)
Authorisation issued by the competent authorities for the export or import of controlled goods.
Required for: dual-use goods, military material, strategic goods
In Switzerland: issued by SECO for dual-use goods
Processing times vary — apply well in advance
Transport without a valid licence carries criminal penalties
Transport Insurance Certificate (Insurance)
Document certifying insurance coverage of goods during transport. Particularly important under CIF and CIP conditions.
All Risks policy covers all risks of loss or damage (subject to exclusions)
Minimum ICC (C) coverage covers only major risks (shipwreck, fire)
Insured value is generally CIF + 10% (110% of goods value)
Required by banks in letter of credit transactions