Which documents should ship with every clothing export order
Every clothing export should ship with a commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, and the origin proof for the destination: a EUR.1 for the EU, or QIZ documents for the US. Add a pre-shipment inspection report and fabric and fibre records. Missing or inconsistent papers can cost the buyer their duty preference.
| Document | Who relies on it |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice and packing list | Customs broker, importer, warehouse |
| Certificate of origin | Customs, and any buyer reselling the goods |
| EUR.1 movement certificate | EU importer claiming 0% duty |
| QIZ documentation | US importer claiming the QIZ preference |
| Pre-shipment inspection report | Buyer, before the balance is paid |
| Fabric and trim purchase records | Origin checks and EU verification |
| Spinner and gin documentation | US forced-labour enquiries |
Why the papers are part of the price
For a trading house or wholesaler reselling goods, the origin proof is what lets the next buyer pay the lower duty. If the papers are wrong, the goods are worth less to every buyer after you. A complete, consistent pack protects your margin all the way down the chain.
The mistakes that cause problems
- The HS code on the invoice doesn't match the certificate
- Vague goods descriptions, such as 'garments' instead of 'men's cotton denim trousers'
- EUR.1 details that don't match the invoice
- No fabric records to back up the origin claim
- No fibre records when US Customs asks about cotton
What we ship with every order
Commercial invoice and packing list, certificate of origin, EUR.1 for EU shipments, QIZ documentation for US shipments, the pre-shipment inspection report, fabric and trim purchase records, and spinner and gin documentation for fibre-origin enquiries.
Questions
Is a certificate of origin the same as a EUR.1?
No. A certificate of origin states where goods were made. A EUR.1 is a preferential certificate that lets goods claim the lower duty rate under the EU–Egypt agreement.
Do I need the fibre records?
For US shipments of cotton goods, they are what answers a forced-labour enquiry from US Customs. For EU buyers, they support origin and sustainability claims.
Do you ship FOB?
Yes. We deliver to the Egyptian port. You or your forwarder handle freight and import clearance.