Which documents do I need?
These documents do the heavy lifting in an import shipment:
Commercial Invoice — the goods' value, seller and buyer details
Packing List — what, how many pieces, weights and package counts
Transport document — B/L for sea, SMGS waybill for rail, CMR for road
Certificate of Origin (C/O) — proves where the goods were manufactured
Sales contract — for larger or recurring purchases
The seller prepares the invoice and packing list. The transport
documents are prepared by the freight forwarder — that's us.
B/L, SMGS, CMR — what's the difference?
B/L (Bill of Lading) — the sea freight document.
It confirms the carrier received your cargo and serves as a
document of title to the goods.
SMGS waybill — the international rail consignment
note used across China, Mongolia, Russia and the CIS railways.
CMR — the international road transport note used
when cargo crosses borders by truck.
Whichever mode you choose, we issue the right document and make
sure your cargo travels with its paperwork the whole way.
What are Incoterms?
Incoterms are standard international trade terms that define who —
seller or buyer — pays for each leg of transport and where the risk
transfers. Those three letters on your contract determine what you
will pay for, so they are worth understanding:
EXW (Ex Works) — you arrange everything from the factory gate
FCA (Free Carrier) — the seller hands goods to the carrier; the rest is yours
FOB (Free on Board) — the seller loads the vessel; the sea leg onward is yours
CIF — the seller pays freight and insurance to the destination port; onward is yours
DAP — the seller delivers to a named place, covering transport all the way
For example, under FOB Guangzhou you arrange the
journey from Guangzhou to Ulaanbaatar — exactly the leg we quote.
How does customs clearance work?
Goods arriving in Mongolia are declared to customs, and once the
applicable duties and fees are paid, the cargo is released. Customs
clearance is performed by licensed customs brokers — and the
invoice, packing list, transport document and certificate of origin
described above are exactly what they need.
By preparing complete, accurate transport documents we make sure
the customs stage goes smoothly, and we can connect you with an
experienced customs broker when needed.
Goods that need special permits
Some goods require import permits or certificates — food products,
pharmaceuticals, medical devices, chemicals, and products of animal
or plant origin, among others. If you plan to ship such goods, tell
us in advance — we'll help clarify what's required and plan the
transport around it.
The most common mistakes
Invoice and packing list quantities not matching — causes delays at the border
Consignee name or registration number written incorrectly
Misreading the Incoterm and paying for transport twice
Shipping permit-restricted goods without knowing it
Send us your documents as soon as you receive them from the seller —
we check them from the transport side and flag problems before they
become delays.
