Import/Export Document Checklist Generator
Select trade direction, mode of transport, destination country/region and product type to auto-generate a matching checklist of import/export documents and requirements, ready to copy.
FreeOnline Tool
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How to Use
- Select the trade direction (Export or Import).
- Select the mode of transport (Sea FCL/LCL, Air, International Express such as DHL/FedEx/UPS, or Rail e.g. China-Europe freight train).
- Select the destination country/region (EU, US, UK, Japan, South Korea, ASEAN, Australia/New Zealand, Saudi Arabia/Middle East, Brazil/South America, or Other).
- Select the product type (General, Electronics, Food/Agricultural products, Textiles/Apparel, Chemicals, or Machinery).
- The page automatically generates a checklist covering core required documents, transport-specific documents, export/import-specific documents, common optional documents, destination-specific certification requirements and product-type tips. Click 'Copy Document List' to copy the list to your clipboard, or click 'Load Sample Data' to see a worked example (Export / Sea / EU / Electronics).
Features
- Includes the core required documents: Commercial Invoice, Packing List, and Bill of Lading / Air Waybill.
- Shows transport-specific document requirements based on mode (Sea, Air, Express, Rail).
- Lists direction-specific documents — export customs declaration, forex verification notes and export licences for exports, or import customs declaration and import licences for imports.
- Lists commonly used optional documents such as Certificate of Origin, Insurance Policy, Inspection Certificate, Fumigation Certificate, Beneficiary's Certificate and Shipping Advice.
- Covers destination-specific certification hints for 10 regions — EU, US, UK, Japan, South Korea, ASEAN, Australia/NZ, Saudi Arabia/Middle East, Brazil/South America and Other — including CE, FDA, FCC, UKCA, PSE, KC, SABER and ANATEL.
- Gives targeted tips for 6 product types: General, Electronics, Food/Agricultural, Textiles/Apparel, Chemicals and Machinery.
- Lets you copy the generated document-name list with one click.
Use Cases
Prepare a document checklist for a new order
Before shipping a sea-freight export order to an EU customer, quickly generate the list of documents you'll need to avoid customs delays from missing paperwork.
Self-check before contacting a customs broker
Organize which documents you'll need to prepare before reaching out to a customs broker or freight forwarder, cutting down on back-and-forth.
Quickly check certification requirements for a new market
Before expanding into the US or Saudi Arabia, quickly see local mandatory certification requirements like FDA or SABER so you can plan the certification timeline in advance.
Catch easily-missed compliance documents
When exporting battery-containing electronics or machinery with wooden packaging, the tool flags easily overlooked documents like MSDS, UN38.3 test reports and fumigation certificates.
FAQ
Is this checklist an official, authoritative source?
No — it's a curated reference of commonly required import/export documents. The actual documents required depend on the destination customs authority, your contract with the buyer, and the carrier's requirements. Special goods (dangerous goods, food, pharmaceuticals, etc.) need further confirmation from a professional customs broker.
Can this tool generate or submit customs declarations for me?
No. It only produces a checklist and explanatory text of which documents you need to prepare — it does not generate or submit any official filing, and it does not connect to any customs system or third-party data source.
Why does the checklist change when I switch the destination region?
Different countries/regions have their own mandatory product certification requirements (e.g. CE in the EU, FDA/FCC in the US, PSE in Japan, SABER in Saudi Arabia), so the tool shows the matching additional-document hints for your selected destination.
What exactly does 'Copy Document List' copy?
It copies the numbered list of document names currently shown on the page (numbered as Export or Import list) so you can paste it straight into a prep checklist or email. It does not include each document's detailed description — view those on the page itself.