Understanding
Export Documents

A Commercial Invoice is a core customs document that Chirak Exim prepares for every international shipment. It serves as our official declaration to customs authorities that goods are being exported across international borders.

While there is no single global standard format, every CI we issue covers the essential details required by customs: full sender and receiver information, a precise description of the goods, applicable trade terms (Incoterms), and agreed payment terms — ensuring a smooth and compliant clearance at your destination port.

A Warehouse Receipt is a document signed or certified by the warehouse keeper that guarantees the existence and availability of a specified quantity and quality of a commodity held in storage.

Chirak Exim uses warehouse receipts as instruments of transfer during pre-shipment storage and futures transactions — providing buyers with documented assurance of stock availability before goods are dispatched. Note: if the receipt permits delivery only to a named party, it is a non-negotiable instrument.

Terminal Handling Charges (THC) — also known as Container Service Charges (CSC) — are additional costs charged by the shipping company for handling containers at the container terminal before they are loaded aboard the vessel.

These cover operations such as unloading the container from a truck, stacking, and transporting it to the crane loading position. THC applies to all FCL (Full Container Load) shipments and is charged on top of the standard sea freight rate. Chirak Exim clearly communicates all applicable THC in our freight quotations so there are no surprises at the port.

A Manifest is a comprehensive list of all goods loaded onto a vessel at a particular port, organised per Bill of Lading, destined for a specific port. The number of manifests onboard equals the number of distinct travel routes on that voyage.

Chirak Exim’s shipments appear on the relevant manifest type based on cargo nature. The Cargo Manifest lists goods details for customs declaration. The Freight Manifest additionally covers freight details and is used for fee collection at destination. Where applicable, a separate Hazardous Goods Manifest is submitted to port authorities before vessel entry.

A Certificate of Origin is an official document that certifies the country in which a product was manufactured or produced. Many importing countries require a valid CoO before goods can enter their borders.

For every Chirak Exim export, our CoO is processed and issued through the appropriate Chambers of Commerce, confirming that our agricultural and specialty products originate from India. This document is essential for importers to benefit from preferential trade agreements and reduced duty rates in many destinations.

Full Container Load (FCL) means all goods within a container are listed under a single Bill of Lading and owned by one buyer. The entire container is exclusively yours — regardless of how full it is — and payment is made on a per-container basis.

Chirak Exim recommends FCL for bulk orders where you require dedicated space, faster transit, reduced handling risk, and lower per-unit freight costs. It is the standard shipping mode for large wholesale and distributor orders.

Less than Container Load (LCL) allows Chirak Exim to consolidate your shipment with other cargo in a shared container. Multiple LCL shipments, each with their own Bill of Lading and different owners, can travel in the same container.

Charges are calculated based on the actual space your goods occupy. LCL is ideal for smaller orders, trial shipments, or buyers testing a new product range before committing to full container volumes. It provides flexibility while keeping freight costs proportional to your order size.

Payload refers to the maximum load weight a container is permitted to carry. This figure is stamped on the right container door and must never be exceeded during loading.

Importantly, maximum permitted payload can vary by country — meaning a container fully loaded to its stated limit at origin may need to be partially unloaded to comply with road weight regulations at the destination. Chirak Exim’s logistics team accounts for destination country limits when planning container loads, ensuring your shipment remains compliant from origin port to final delivery.

Any goods transported from one fiscal zone to another must pass through customs clearance before they can enter free circulation. The Commercial Invoice, Packing List, and all additional cargo documents — such as Certificates of Origin, phytosanitary certificates, and quality inspection reports — are presented to customs authorities, who determine applicable duties and taxes.

Chirak Exim provides a complete, accurate document package with every shipment to facilitate fast, trouble-free clearance at your destination. We work with experienced freight forwarders and customs agents in key markets to minimise delays and ensure full regulatory compliance.

The Bill of Lading (B/L) is the most important document in international sea freight. It is issued by the carrier and forms the legal contract of transport between Chirak Exim (as shipper) and the shipping line.

It serves three critical functions: it is a proof of receipt confirming the carrier has received the goods; a proof of transport agreement setting out the terms of carriage; and a title of ownership — meaning whoever holds the original B/L has the legal right to claim the cargo at destination. All B/Ls are carefully managed and shared with buyers as part of our standard shipment documentation package.

Advance Payment is a payment made prior to the scheduled delivery of goods — in other words, paying for your order before it is dispatched. At Chirak Exim, advance payment is a standard part of our export process and is required to confirm and process your order.

This protects both parties: it allows us to procure, grade, pack, and ship your goods with certainty, and gives you a confirmed order slot and shipment date. We accept advance payments via bank transfer (TT), and all transactions are supported by a formal Pro Forma Invoice. Our trade team is happy to discuss payment terms, including partial advance and balance-on-shipment arrangements, for established buyers.

A Letter of Credit (LC) is a bank-issued payment guarantee that protects both sides of an international trade transaction. Instead of relying on direct trust between buyer and seller, the buyer’s bank — the Issuing Bank — formally commits to paying Chirak Exim, the beneficiary, once we present shipping documents that match the LC terms exactly. This shifts payment risk away from the buyer and onto a regulated financial institution, which is why LCs are widely used for cross-border deals between parties operating under different legal systems.

In practice, once an order is confirmed, the buyer’s bank opens the LC in our favour and our advising bank verifies its authenticity. After dispatch, we submit the agreed documentation — typically a Commercial Invoice, Bill of Lading, Certificate of Origin, packing list, and inspection or phytosanitary certificates — for review. Because payment is released against paperwork rather than physical inspection of the cargo, accuracy and completeness of every document are essential, which is exactly where Chirak Exim’s documentation expertise comes in.

We typically work with Irrevocable LCs, which cannot be altered or cancelled without agreement from every party, and Confirmed LCs, where a second bank adds its own guarantee for added security. For buyers with recurring orders or contract-backed supply arrangements, we can also accommodate Revolving LCs and Standby LCs, depending on your trade finance structure.