If you are ready to export, it’s time to know about export documentation.

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• What are Jordan’s commitments in international trade?
• Which agreements provide preferential tariff treatment for goods/services manufactured and exported from Jordan?
• What are the technical requirements?

There are several documents needed when exporting goods from Jordan to the destination importing country. These documentations are:

• Packaging and Labeling Standards.
• A certified Certificate of Origin (CoO)
• Quality certificate for the goods shipped
• A commercial invoice along with a packing list
• An export license

Moreover, shipping documents must be prepared by the shipping agent (forwarder), including airway bill/bill of lading, insurance (if the shipment is insured), and customs declaration.

A copy of these documents is usually sent to the importer via mail to ensure that the importer can clear the shipment from customs upon receipt of shipment.

An export license is an official document that regulates the exports of certain goods. In Jordan, the export license regulates the exports of a range of mining and quarrying products, manufacturing products, and agricultural products—example products currently subject to export license are lentil, bulgur, freekeh, sugar, and rice.

The exporter should check with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply (MoITS) to see whether the products they wish to export is subject to export limitation.

Depending on the product type, the entities responsible for issuing the export license are the Ministry of Industry Trade & Supply (for manufactured goods), Ministry of Agriculture (for agricultural products), Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (for mined products).

A commercial invoice (or shipping invoice) is prepared by the exporter and is used by customs to establish tariffs and fees payable on the importation of goods. The commercial invoice includes

• name of the exporter and the name of the importer
• description of product and HS code
• unit price, the total price
• quantity and weight of the goods

It is usually printed on the exporter’s letterhead and is signed by the authorized exporter.

The commercial invoice is stamped by the Chamber of Industry or Commerce in the governorate where the manufacturer operates, and a packing list usually accompanies it.

Once stamped by the Chambers, the invoice and the Certificate of Origin (CoO) should be validated by the MoITS.

The CoO is an international trade document that accompanies the shipment and certifies that the exported goods are wholly obtained, produced, manufactured, or processed in the country-of-origin Jordan.

To benefit from preferential tariff treatment to countries with whom Jordan has signed bilateral/multilateral trade agreements (see types of CoO), the exporter should comply with the rules of origin requirement, which could be domestically, bilaterally, and/or regionally cumulated.

Chambers of Industry/Commerce: The chambers of industry or commerce calculate the value added per each trade agreement’s rules of origin requirement and issue the certificate of origin.

MoITS: Certify the certificate of origin.

Customs Department: Certify the certificate of origin and issue the customs declaration.

Export to EU and EFTA States/EUR.1 Certificate:
This certificate provides proof that goods are entitled to preferential tariff treatment because they comply with the European or the EFTA rules of origin. The certificate must be typed in English and must include the exporter’s signature and seal.
The commercial invoice and the packing list should accompany EUR.1. For products whose total value does not exceed 6,000 Euro, the agreement mandates only the submission of an invoice declaration instead of the EUR.1.

Euro-Med Cumulation of origin under Agadir Agreement/EUR-MED Movement Certificate:
The certificate of origin for Euro-Med countries is proof that the goods are entitled to preferential tariff treatment when exported to Europe.

The movement certificate should be used when goods are shipped to more than one destination in Europe or for cumulation under the Agadir agreement; the EUR.1 certificate should be used when goods are shipped to one final destination in Europe.

Exports to the USA:
A proof that goods are entitled to preferential tariff treatment because they comply with the American rule of origin.
The commercial invoice and the packing list should accompany the CoO. Once the goods reach US customs boarder, the importer will complete a declaration to prove that the goods qualify for preferential access under the Jordan-USFTA

Exports to Canada/Certificate of Origin for Canada:
This certificate provides proof that goods are entitled to preferential tariff treatment when exported to Canada as they comply with the Canadian rules of origin.

It is like a declaration, which must be presented to the Canadian Customs Authorities only upon request. The exporter must fax it to the Canadian importer within the time limit stated by the Canadian Customs Authorities.

Exports to Arab States PAFTA/Certificate of Origin for the Arab Countries:
The certificate of origin for the Arab countries is proof that goods are entitled to preferential tariff treatment because they comply with the Arab rule of origin.

Exports to selected WTO members using the Generalized System of Preference (GSP):
Form A is a certificate of origin that grants developing countries, such as Jordan, a non-reciprocal tariff reduction below the Most Favored Nation (MFN) rate when exporting to selected WTO members who have granted Jordan preferential arrangements.

Importing countries have packing and labeling standards at border entry for outer package labeling and inner package labeling.

When exporting goods to global markets, packaging and labeling standards should be assessed. The barcode system for the product can be obtained from the Jordan Numbering Association (GS1 Jordan), whereas other packing and labeling standards can be obtained from the target countries.

Usually, the importer will inform the exporter of the packing and labeling standards that should apply. Still, it is recommended to visit official government sites to verify the standard as it might affect the cost of the product.

Examples:

EU outer box labeling standard showing the type of barcode system that must be used on the outer packing box when exporting to the EU.

USFDA labeling standards for food, drugs, cosmetics, and medical devices.

Depending on the purchase agreement with the importer/buyer concerning the packing and labeling requirements, quality certificates, mode of shipping (land, sea, air), and term of sales (see incoterms 2020), the exporter should proceed by contracting a shipping/forwarding agent or export intermediary to prepare the shipment for export:

• Packing List: The packing list includes the shipper and consignee name, address, contact details, measurements, and total net weight and gross weight of cargo, a detailed list of how goods are packaged, the number of packages, any relevant shipping marks, or any other essential information or special instructions related to the loading and packaging contained in the shipment.
• Bill of Lading/Airway Bill: Depending on the mode of shipping (land, sea, or air), the forwarder/shipping agent prepares the shipping document.
• Customs Declaration: The customs declaration is prepared by the forwarder/shipping agent. The declaration is made in several copies.
• Insurance Documents: If the shipment is insured, a copy of the insurance accompanies the shipping documents.

Yes, help me start exporting.