An export license is a government document that authorizes or grants permission to conduct a specific export transaction (including the export of technology).
Documents required for exporting in Ghana
Customs Documentation for exports
Information provided here describes about documents required for export from Exporting country.
Apart from basic documents, the documents required for export from Exporting country is based on the product exporting from Exporting country, multilateral, bilateral or unilateral trade agreements, and other trade policies of Exporting country government.
The export documents required in Exporting country also depends upon the nature of goods exporting (General goods, Personal effects, Dangerous goods, Livestock, etc.), the regular trade policy of Exporting country Government, specific goods exporting from Exporting country (Arms and ammunition, health products, food products, chemicals, etc.)
However, the following documents required to export goods from Exporting country in general:
Export Customs clearance documents required in Exporting country
Customs Entry document: (specified by Exporting country customs) prepared by exporter’s customs broker or exporter.
Customs bond if applicable for specific goods exporting to claim import benefits from Exporting country government.
Legal Undertaking (LUT) if applicable to claim export benefits from Exporting country government or to export specific products to meet government requirements and obligations.
Customs declarations wherever applicable: Exporting country’s export customs clearance declarations as per specified format of Exporting country’s government.
Export Licence if applicable to be obtained from government agency of Exporting country.
Purchase order or Letter of Credit between Exporting country’s exporter and overseas buyer of goods.
Commercial Invoice cum packing list issued by seller of goods
Certificate of Origin issued by competent authority of origin country of goods.
Insurance Certificate issued by the government authorized insurance service provider
Certificates of Inspection if applicable: Some of the importers demands exporter (seller) through LC or Purchase order to inspect export goods to Exporting country by an internationally recognized inspection agency like SGS, BVQI, or other Quality inspecting agency etc.
ATA CARNET/Temporary shipment certificate if applicable
Certificate of Analysis if applicable.
The buyer may insist the seller enclose a certificate of analysis about the goods. The same certificate helps Exporting country’s customs authorities to confirm the product imported to the country.
Certificate of Free Sale if applicable.
If goods are not commercially involved, a certificate of sale is attached by the exporter along with goods dispatched.
Weight Certificate if applicable.
A weight certificate issued by the exporter is required at various circumstances like the stability of flight, stability of vessel, International road safety rules, import or export duty calculation, claiming export/import benefits from the government, etc.
Consular Invoice if applicable:
Some of the importing countries insist embassy attested documents which are mandatory at importing country to customs clear goods.
Documents required for customs in Exporting country for specific products to export
Electronic Export Information if applicable
Certificate of Health or Sanitation if applicable
Generic Certificate of Origin if applicable
Dangerous Goods Certificate if applicable
Fisheries Certificate if applicable
Fumigation Certificate if applicable
Halal Certificate if applicable
Health Certificate if applicable
Ingredients Certificate if applicable
Inspection Certificate if applicable
Pre-Shipment Inspection certificate if applicable
Phytosanitary Certificate/quarantine certificate if applicable
Radiation Certificate if applicable
Dock Receipt and Warehouse Receipt if applicable
ISPM 15 (Wood Packaging) Marking certificate if applicable
Product manual or Product catalogue if applicable
Certified Engineer’s Report if applicable
Chartered engineer’s certificate if applicable
Product specification certificate
Other specified documents if applicable
Bank export documents in Exporting country
Purchase order or Letter of Credit
Commercial Invoice cum packing list
Pro forma Invoice
Bill of exchange
Certificate of Origin
Insurance Certificate
Certificates of Inspection if applicable
Electronic Export Information if applicable
Certificate of Health or Sanitation if applicable
Other specified documents if applicable
This post explains about various documents at different levels that required by every exporter need to be submitted with the Exporting country Customs Authority.