Theory question 103
Foreign Trade DocumentsCommerce 2 (answer five questions)
Write short notes on the following, showing their main uses in foreign trade:
(a) Shipping notes
(b) Ship's manifest
(c) Bill of sight
(d) Dock warrant
(e) Bill of entry
Show the model answer
(a) Shipping note: prepared by the exporter or his agent and sent with the goods to the port authority/docks, giving details of the goods and the ship they are to be loaded onto; it authorises the port to receive and load them, and a copy is signed as receipt.
(b) Ship's manifest: a list of all the cargo on board a ship (marks, quantities, consignees, ports), signed by the master; used by customs to check goods loaded and unloaded.
(c) Bill of sight: used by an importer who cannot give full details of the goods (e.g. papers have not arrived); it allows customs to let him examine the goods so he can complete a proper bill of entry.
(d) Dock warrant: receipt issued by the dock (warehouse) authority for goods stored there; it is a document of title, so the goods can be sold or pledged by endorsing it.
(e) Bill of entry: a detailed declaration made by the importer (or exporter) to customs of the goods, value and origin, used to assess and pay customs duty before the goods are cleared.
For each document say who prepares it and what it is used for.