Guides

Trade documents, explained plainly

What each document is for, which fields matter, and how they must stay consistent — written for import/export SMEs.

Export documents

The core document set for an export shipment — what each one is for, which fields matter, and how they must agree.

Document guide

Commercial Invoice for Exporters

What a commercial invoice is, which fields banks and customs expect, and how it must stay consistent with the rest of your document set.

Document guide

Packing List for Export Shipments

What belongs on a packing list, who uses it, and why quantities must match the commercial invoice.

Document guide

Proforma Invoice for Trade

When to issue a proforma, what it should contain, and how it relates to the commercial invoice that follows.

Document guide

Pre-Shipment Documentation Checklist for Exporters

The documents to confirm and the consistency checks to run before you book an export shipment.

Document guide · Pillar

Bill of Lading: What It Is, Types, Fields and How to Get It Right

The complete exporter's guide to the bill of lading — its three functions, every field and what it must match, the main types, how it compares with a sea waybill and an air waybill, and the discrepancies banks reject most.

Document guide

Certificate of Origin for Exporters

When you need a certificate of origin, what it must contain, and how it has to match your commercial invoice.

Document guide

Air Waybill (AWB) Explained for Exporters

What an air waybill is, how it differs from a bill of lading, and how it must align with your invoice and packing list.

Document guide

Customs Invoice vs Commercial Invoice: Is It the Same?

How a customs invoice relates to a commercial invoice, when buyers ask for both, and what must stay consistent.

Document guide

Credit Note and Debit Note in Export Trade: Format and When to Issue

When to issue a credit or debit note against an export invoice, what fields each needs, and how they affect your GST and e-BRC records.

Document guide

Purchase Order vs Sales Order in Export/Import: What Each One Does

How a purchase order and a sales order relate to each other and to the proforma invoice in an export or import deal.

Document guide

Marine Insurance Certificate for Export: Format, Cover and LC Rules

When a marine (cargo) insurance certificate is required, the fields it shows, ICC (A), (B) and (C) cover, and the UCP 600 rules banks check it against.

India-specific

Registrations, customs filings and GST rules Indian exporters deal with on every shipment.

India guide

Shipping Bill Format for Export: Fields and Pre-Filing Checklist

What an Indian shipping bill contains field by field, what to check before your CHA files it, and how it must match your commercial invoice and packing list.

Document guide

IEC Code (Import Export Code): How to Apply, Fee and Annual Update

What an Import Export Code is, who needs one, how to apply, and why it has to match your other trade documents exactly.

Document guide

RCMC (Registration Cum Membership Certificate) Explained

What an RCMC is, which Export Promotion Council issues it, and why it matters for claiming export incentives.

Document guide

e-BRC (Bank Realisation Certificate): What It Confirms and Why It's Needed

What an e-BRC is, who generates it, and why it matters for export incentive claims and compliance closure.

Document guide

LUT (Letter of Undertaking) for GST-Exempt Exports

What an LUT is, who can file one, and how it lets exporters ship without paying IGST upfront.

Payments & letters of credit

How banks examine export documents and get you paid.

Document guide

Letter of Credit Documents Checklist for Exporters

The documents banks typically examine under an LC, and the consistency checks to run before you present.

Document guide

Bill of Exchange in Export Trade: Format, Types and How Banks Use It

What a bill of exchange is in export, a sample format, sight vs usance and D/P vs D/A, and how banks use it under a letter of credit or a documentary collection.

Import side

What importers file and check when goods arrive.

Document guide

Bill of Entry: What Importers File and Why It Matters

What a bill of entry is, who files it, and how it fixes the duty liability on an import shipment.

Document guide

Import Documentation Checklist for First-Time Importers

The documents a first-time importer needs to clear a shipment, and the consistency checks to run before goods arrive.

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.

Export documentation checklist →Free document templates →Blog

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