The single most common cause of a shipment sitting at customs isn't the cargo itself — it's paperwork that's missing, mismatched, or filled out incorrectly. A clearance delay of even a day or two can cascade into missed delivery windows and storage fees at the port or airport.

Requirements vary by country, commodity, and shipment value, so this isn't an exhaustive list — but these five documents cover the large majority of international shipments and are worth double-checking before your cargo leaves the dock.

• Commercial invoice — the value, description, and terms of sale for customs valuation
• Packing list — itemized contents, weights, and dimensions matching the invoice exactly
• Bill of lading or air waybill — the contract of carriage and proof of shipment
• Certificate of origin — required for many trade agreements and duty calculations
• Import/export licenses — where the commodity or destination requires one

The detail that trips up most shippers

The most frequent error isn't a missing document — it's a mismatch between them. If the weight on your packing list doesn't match the bill of lading, or the value on your invoice doesn't match your customs declaration, that inconsistency alone is often enough to trigger a manual review and hold up clearance.

Customs brokerage is included on every shipment we handle, so our team checks this documentation before it's submitted. If you'd rather not manage it yourself, get in touch and we'll walk you through what your specific shipment needs.