Import-Export Documents for DG, Animals, Plants, & Other Related Factors

Course Overview

Learn the documentation requirements for clearing dangerous goods, plants, and animal products through customs, including phytosanitary and health certificates. Understand the inspection processes for issuing these certificates and the consequences of missing documentation, such as shipment delays or denial of entry. Explore international standards for wood packing materials (ISPM-15), the risks associated with gray market goods, and the importance of accurate and translated commercial invoices. Gain insights into obtaining necessary export certificates and navigating complex import requirements to ensure compliance and avoid trade disruptions.

• The two types of documents that destination country customs authorities will require for clearance of dangerous goods
• Why government inspection of plants and minimally processed plant products is required before issuing a phytosanitary Certificate
• Why government inspection of animals and minimally processed animal products is required before issuing a health Certificate
• Why destination country officials may order the arriving transportation conveyance not to unload a shipment that arrives without required product-based documentation.
• Options destination country officials have to preclude entry of high-risk plants and animals, and minimally processed products thereof, including shipments that have requisite origin country documentation
• How and from whom a U.S. exporter obtains a needed phytosanitary certificate for plants and minimally processed plant products to be exported.
• How and from whom a U.S. exporter obtains a needed health certificate for animals and minimally processed animal products to be exported.
• What wood packing materials must be treated and marked under the ISPM-15 standard
• Why an exporter and its forwarder should not rely solely on the importer informing as to what product-based import requirements are required for the exporter’s product in the destination country
• Why the import of gray market goods may pose risk to both importer and exporter
• Awareness that a few countries require the commercial invoice for an import arriving by ocean to be in their national language (e.g., Spanish) or else have complete translations accompany such documents.
• The purpose of a customs invoice or consular invoice required for import by some countries of certain types of goods or higher value shipments