The Complete Export Documentation Guide (2026)
Every document an export shipment typically needs, what each one is for, and where to find the full guide, template, or tool for each.
An export shipment isn't one document — it's a set that has to describe the same shipment the same way, from the first quote to the bill of lading. This page is a map: a short explanation of each document, and a link to the full guide, template, or tool for it.
Proforma Invoice
A preliminary quote used before a sale is final — buyers use it to arrange financing, licences, or a letter of credit. See the proforma invoice guide and proforma vs commercial invoice for how it differs from what follows.
Commercial Invoice
The formal bill for the goods, used by customs for valuation and by the bank for LC negotiation. See the commercial invoice guide and a free template.
Packing List
Documents how goods are physically packed — package counts, marks, weights, dimensions — and must match the invoice on quantity. See the packing list guide, how to prepare one step by step, and a free template.
Bill of Lading
Issued by the carrier as a receipt, contract of carriage, and — in negotiable form — a document of title. See the bill of lading guide and how it must align with your commercial invoice.
Shipping Bill
The customs declaration filed before goods can be cleared for export — separate from the bill of lading. See the shipping bill checklist.
Pre-Shipment Checklist
The consistency pass that catches mismatches before you send documents to a bank, buyer, or forwarder. See the pre-shipment documentation guide, a free downloadable checklist, and a suggested checklist format.
Landed Cost
Not a shipping document, but the number that determines whether the deal actually makes money once freight, insurance, and duty are added. See the free landed cost calculator, the formula explained, and a worked example.
Incoterms
The rule that decides who pays for what and when risk transfers — and it needs to appear consistently across your whole document set. See Incoterms 2020 explained.
Putting It Together
Most delayed presentations aren't caused by a missing document — they're caused by two documents that disagree on a quantity, a description, or an Incoterm. See why export documents get rejected for how banks and customs actually treat these mismatches.
Bilexor keeps every document in this set tied to one shipment record, so the numbers that must match — do, by default. See how it works.
Informational only — not legal, banking, tax, or customs advice. Always verify document and LC requirements with your bank, CHA / customs broker, and buyer before presentation.