China export documentation · sea containers
China Export Documents for Shipping
The right papers, checked before the ship sails.
China export documents for shipping with Al Fajar: our Yiwu team checks the full set for your sea container…. We file the China customs declaration and arrange the bill of lading. We also tell you early if your goods or route need a certificate of origin or a licence.
02 / At a glance
China Export Documents for Shipping at a Glance
China export documents for shipping are a core set of papers for a sea container. A few more are needed when your goods or your buyer's country ask for them. Al Fajar checks that the set is complete and consistent before the cargo goes to the port. Most delays come from papers that disagree, not from papers that are missing.
- 7 papersthe full set for a sea container
- 5 alwaysinvoice, packing list, contract, declaration, bill of lading
- 2 sometimescertificate of origin, and a licence or special certificate
- 24 hoursfor a written quote
03 / The 7 papers
The 7 China Export Documents for Shipping, One by One
The table shows what each of the China export documents for shipping does, who issues it and when you need it.
| Document | What it does | Who issues it | Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
Commercial invoice |
States seller, buyer, goods, price, currency and trade term; the base for the declaration and for duty abroad | Your supplier | Always |
Packing list |
Lists cartons or pallets, weights and volume | Your supplier | Always |
Sales contract |
Records the agreed terms between buyer and seller | Buyer and seller | Always |
Export customs declaration |
Tells China Customs what is leaving; customs must release the cargo before loading | The exporter, or a declarant such as Al Fajar | Always |
Bill of lading |
The carrier's receipt and proof of shipment; used to collect the cargo at the destination | Carrier or forwarder | Always |
Certificate of origin |
States where the goods were made; supports a lower duty rate under a trade agreement | Authorised issuing body, on the exporter's application | When your buyer, bank or route asks |
Export licence or special certificate |
Permission for controlled goods, or a safety or packing certificate | Government or testing body | Only for restricted or special goods |
Always neededWhen your buyer, bank or route asksOnly for special goods
04 / Bill of lading
Bill of Lading: the Paper That Releases Your Cargo
Of all China export documents for shipping, the bill of lading decides how your cargo is released at the destination. The shipper, consignee and notify party on it must match the invoice and, if you use one, your letter of credit.
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Surrendered at destination
Original bill of lading
A set of originals; one must be surrendered at the destination to release the cargo.
-
Named consignee collects
Sea waybill
Not a document of title, so no original is presented; the named consignee collects the cargo.
-
Surrendered at origin
Telex release
The originals are surrendered at the origin, and the carrier releases the cargo by message.
Decide early. Tell us which type your buyer or bank needs before we book. A late change can delay release at the destination.
05 / Certificate of origin
Certificate of Origin: When China Export Documents for Shipping Need One
A certificate of origin states where the goods were made. You need one only when your buyer, your bank's letter of credit or a trade-agreement duty claim asks for it.
| Type | Used for |
|---|---|
| GeneralNon-preferential | General proof of origin when an importer or bank asks for it |
| Lower dutyPreferential (trade agreement) | Claiming a lower duty rate under an agreement such as RCEP, China–ASEAN or ChAFTA |
How it works
- The exporter applies, directly or through an agent
- The application can be made before or at shipment
- Review takes up to 2 working days
- First-time applicants give the unified social credit code and English company name
- Trade-agreement rules prevail over the general rules
- To check a certificate you received, ask the issuing body named on it
Rules: China Customs Decree No. 270, in force since 1 September 2024 (Thomson Reuters (opens in a new tab)). Tell us your destination before booking so you know early which certificate your route needs.
06 / Licences
Export Licences and Special Certificates
Most goods leave China without an export licence. A licence is needed only for goods on the export licence catalogue or on the dual-use list, so check these China export documents for shipping early.
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43categories
Export licence catalogue
Licensed goods
The 2026 catalogue covers 43 categories of goods, in force from 1 January 2026.
-
80–85items added
Dual-use list
Dual-use items
They have their own catalogue, which added about 80 to 85 controlled items for 2026.
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Safetyand packing
Goods and destination
Special certificates
Dangerous goods packaging certificates, and treatment marks or fumigation papers for wood packaging, are asked for by some goods and destinations.
07 / Six matches
Six Matches That Stop Delays
Before filing, we compare your China export documents for shipping line by line. Each pair below must agree.
| Check | Must match | Papers compared |
|---|---|---|
Seller and buyer names |
Spelled the same everywhere |
|
Goods description and HS code |
Same wording and same code |
|
Quantities and units |
Same cartons, pieces and units |
|
Weights and volume |
Gross and net weight, and CBM |
|
Value, currency and trade term |
Same amounts and the same FOB, CIF or CFR |
|
Consignee and notify party |
As the buyer or letter of credit states |
|
08 / Who does what
Who Does What, and Where We Are Based
Al Fajar's office is in Yiwu, Zhejiang. Our Yiwu team checks your China export documents for shipping, files the declaration and arranges the bill of lading for the containers we book. Your supplier issues the invoice and packing list, and we check them. We cover the China side only.
-
We handle
- Checking the full document set
- Filing the China customs declaration
- Arranging the bill of lading
- Telling you early which extra papers your route needs
-
You handle
- Your supplier's invoice, packing list and contract
- Any licence application for controlled goods
- Import documents and clearance at the destination
-
We do not offer
- Clearance at the destination
- Air freight
- Door-to-door or DDP delivery
10 / FAQ
Questions exporters ask about China export documents for shipping
Straight answers on required papers, certificates of origin, bills of lading, licences and wood packaging.
What documents are required to export from China?
The China export documents for shipping for a sea container are a commercial invoice, packing list, sales contract, export customs declaration and bill of lading. Some shipments also need a certificate of origin, an export licence or a special certificate. Our Yiwu team checks that the set is complete and consistent before filing.
What documents do I need to import from China?
You receive the commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading from the China side, and a certificate of origin if your duty claim needs one. Your own country sets the import papers, such as the import declaration, and your destination broker lodges them.
What is a certificate of origin and how do I get one in China?
It states where the goods were made. The exporter applies for it, directly or through an agent. The issuing body reviews the application within two working days under the rules in force since 1 September 2024. Tell us your destination early so you know whether you need one.
Is a certificate of origin required for exports from China?
Not for every shipment. You need one when your buyer, your bank's letter of credit or a trade-agreement duty claim asks for it. A preferential certificate supports a lower duty rate, and a non-preferential one is general proof of origin.
What is the difference between a bill of lading, a sea waybill and a telex release?
An original bill of lading must be surrendered to collect the cargo. A sea waybill needs no original, and the named consignee collects the cargo. With a telex release, the originals are surrendered at the origin and the carrier releases the cargo by message.
Do I need an export licence to ship from China?
Only for goods on the export licence catalogue, which covers 43 categories from 1 January 2026, or on the dual-use list. Most goods need no licence. Tell us your goods and HS code early so we can check them before booking.
Who is the exporter of record, and does it matter?
It is the registered company named on the export declaration, and it must hold China customs registration. If your supplier has none, the goods ship through a foreign-trade company, and the papers must then name that company consistently.
What papers does wood packaging need?
Wood pallets and crates need a treatment mark under the ISPM 15 standard, with no bark. Some countries also ask for fumigation or treatment papers. Check your destination's rule before loading, because a pallet fixed in China costs far less than one fixed at the port.
Who prepares the commercial invoice and packing list?
Your supplier issues them, because they state the supplier's price and goods. We check these China export documents for shipping against each other and against the declaration before filing. We flag any mismatch for your supplier to correct.
Do you offer destination clearance, air freight or DDP?
No. Al Fajar handles the China side of sea freight: checks on your China export documents for shipping, the China customs declaration and the bill of lading. Import clearance belongs to your broker. We do not offer air freight, door-to-door or DDP delivery.
Need your China export documents for shipping checked?
Get your quote within 24 hours.
Send the invoice, packing list and contract, even as drafts, and a written quote reaches you within 24 hours.
- Send your detailsInvoice, packing list and contract, drafts are fine
- Get a written quoteCharges listed separately, no rate figures until we quote
- We check and fileSix matches checked, declaration filed before sailing
Request a quote
Reply within 24 hoursWhat to send us
- Invoice, packing list and contract
- Supplier city in China
- Destination port
Written quote. Charges listed separately.
or talk to us directly