International shipping documents checklist

Missing or wrong paperwork is the number-one cause of customs holds. Here is the full list — what each is for, and when you need it.

Always needed

• Commercial invoice — the heart of the entry: buyer, seller, full goods description, HS codes, value, Incoterm, country of origin. Customs values duty from this.
• Packing list — what is in each carton/pallet, weights and dimensions.
• Bill of Lading / Air Waybill — the carrier's contract and receipt.

Often needed

• Certificate of Origin — proves where goods were made; required for many trade-agreement duty preferences (USMCA, etc.).
• Importer of record details / EIN / EORI — the party legally responsible for the import.
• Incoterm — DDP, DAP, FOB… defines who pays duty and at what point risk transfers.

Sometimes needed

• Import/export licenses — for controlled goods (tech, defense, some chemicals).
• Dangerous Goods Declaration — for hazmat.
• Phytosanitary / health certificates — food, plants, animal products.
• Insurance certificate — proof of cargo coverage.
• ISF filing (10+2) — US ocean imports, 24h before vessel loading.

The fastest way to clear

1. HS-code everything correctly — wrong codes = wrong duty = delays. Use our landed-cost calculator to find codes.
2. Match values across documents — the invoice, packing list, and BOL must agree.
3. Name the Incoterm explicitly so duty responsibility is unambiguous.
4. Screen the consignee — sanctioned parties cannot receive goods (Atlas does this automatically).

How Atlas helps

Atlas auto-generates the commercial invoice for international parcels, stores your documents on each shipment, runs denied-party screening, and our team prepares freight paperwork. Start shipping.