Document checklist
Every container or RORO trip carries a document checklist tied to its cargo category. The checklist is the playbook — it tells you what to upload, what’s still missing, and where each document is in its lifecycle.
What’s typically required
Section titled “What’s typically required”| Document | When required |
|---|---|
| Commercial Invoice (CI) | Always. The customs-facing valuation. Distinct from your financial invoice. |
| Packing List | Container (cars + parts mixed cargo); RORO sometimes. |
| Bill of Lading (B/L) | Always. Has a draft-review phase before final issuance. |
| Insurance Certificate | Always when insured. Cargo declared on the policy. |
| Export Permit | Per origin country regulations. Korea: customs clearance certificate. |
| Import Permit | Per destination country. Often issued by the customs broker. |
| VGM Cert | Container only. Verified Gross Mass per SOLAS. |
| 말소등록증 (Export Deregistration Cert) | Korea origin specifically — proves the car was deregistered from the Korean DMV. |
The exact set depends on the cargo category — a cars_container shipment has different requirements than other_cargo or mixed.
How the checklist works
Section titled “How the checklist works”Each document item shows:
- Required / Optional badge
- Status — Not started / Draft / In review / Final / Distributed
- File — upload PDF, see preview
- Actions — who can edit (trader vs forwarder vs broker, per role)
The forwarder usually owns the B/L (draft → review → final). The trader usually owns the CI and packing list. The customs broker owns permits.
B/L draft review
Section titled “B/L draft review”The B/L specifically goes through a multi-party draft-review flow:
- Forwarder generates the draft B/L with shipper / consignee / notify parties from the booking confirmation.
- Trader reviews — confirms shipper details, requests changes to consignee or notify if needed.
- Forwarder issues the final B/L once trader approves.
- Original B/Ls are issued (paper or telex release).
The draft review surface lives at /containers/<id>/bl-draft — sticky for the trader until they approve.