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International Shipping Documents Checklist: Everything You Need

April 2026 · 5 min read · Guide

Essential Documents (Every Shipment)

1. Commercial Invoice

Required for every international shipment containing goods. Must include sender and recipient details, item descriptions, quantities, values, HS codes, country of origin, and currency.

Pro tip: ShipAnywhere generates this automatically and uploads it electronically to FedEx via ETD.

2. Air Waybill (AWB)

The shipping label itself. It contains the tracking number, routing information, and shipment details. This is generated automatically when you create a FedEx shipment.

3. Packing List

A detailed list of the contents of each package. While sometimes optional for simple shipments, a packing list is strongly recommended for multi-item or multi-package shipments. Include item descriptions, quantities, weights, and which items are in which box.

Sometimes Required Documents

4. Certificate of Origin (CO)

Proves where goods were manufactured. Required to claim preferential duty rates under Free Trade Agreements. In Singapore, COs are issued by Singapore Customs or the Singapore International Chamber of Commerce (SICC).

When needed: When the recipient wants to claim FTA duty reductions, or when required by the destination country's customs.

5. Export Permit

Required for controlled goods exported from Singapore. Check Singapore Customs' list of strategic goods and goods requiring export permits.

When needed: Military items, dual-use technology, certain chemicals, protected species.

6. Import License (Destination Country)

Some countries require import licenses for specific product categories.

When needed: Pharmaceuticals, food products, cosmetics, electronics (varies by country).

7. Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

Required for chemical products, cleaning supplies, cosmetics containing regulated ingredients, and other hazardous or semi-hazardous materials.

When needed: Any product containing chemicals that could be classified as hazardous.

Checklist Before You Ship

Auto-Generate Your Customs Documents

ShipAnywhere handles commercial invoices and ETD automatically.

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