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 (d) ...

Answer Details

Short notes on foreign-trade documents

• (a) Shipping note: This is a document prepared by the exporter (or his agent) and given to the dock or port authority. It gives details of the goods to be shipped and requests space on the ship. It authorises the docks to receive the goods for loading and serves as a delivery note to the port.
• (b) Ship's manifest: This is a complete list of all the cargo carried on a ship. It is prepared by the shipping company from the various bills of lading and shows details of all goods on board, their consignees and destinations. It is used by the customs authorities and by the captain as a summary of the whole cargo.
• (c) Bill of sight: This is a document used by an importer when he does not have full details of the goods he is importing and cannot make a proper customs entry. It allows the customs to permit the goods to be landed and inspected so that the importer can then complete the correct entry and pay the duty.
• (d) Dock warrant: This is a document of title issued by the dock authority to the owner of goods stored in the dock warehouse. It certifies that the named person is the owner of the goods and can be transferred by endorsement, so it can be used to sell or pledge the goods while they are still in the warehouse.
• (e) Bill of entry: This is a document completed by the importer (or exporter) and presented to the customs authority giving full details of the goods being imported or exported, their value and quantity. It is used by customs to assess and collect the duty payable and to keep trade records.