Home › Guides › Ingredient notes
Shipping Peptides from China: The Document Checklist
The six documents that travel with a peptide shipment, what each is for, and the mismatch between them that most often holds a consignment at customs.
Customs does not inspect most shipments closely. It reads the paperwork and compares one document against another. When the papers disagree, the consignment is held — and the hold is usually caused by a description written slightly differently in two places.
The documents and what each is for
| Document | Issued by | What the inspector looks at |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Seller | Description, value, incoterm, HS code |
| Packing list | Seller | Count, weights, carton dimensions |
| Air waybill / bill of lading | Carrier | Consignee, port, piece count |
| Certificate of analysis | Manufacturer | Identity and purity of what was tested |
| Safety data sheet (MSDS) | Manufacturer | Hazard classification and handling |
| Certificate of origin | Chamber / authority | Preferential duty eligibility |
The mismatch that causes most holds
The invoice says one thing, the packing list another, and the COA a third. A consignment described as “cosmetic raw material” on the invoice, “peptide sample” on the packing list and “Copper Tripeptide-1” on the COA gives an inspector three versions of the same goods.
Fix: agree the exact description once, in writing, and use it on every document. It should carry the product name, the INCI or chemical name, the pack format and the quantity — the same string everywhere.
HS code — the buyer's decision, not the seller's
The HS code decides the duty rate and often which control regime applies. Suppliers will suggest a code; the liability for a wrong declaration usually rests with the importer. Confirm the code your broker will clear against before goods ship, not after.
Value and samples
Declaring a commercial shipment as a gift, or as having no commercial value, is the fastest way to turn a routine clearance into an examination. Samples have a real value and a real description. Declare both.
Incoterms: who does what
On EXW the buyer arranges everything after the seller's premises. On DDP the seller lands the goods. Most problems come from an assumption somewhere in the middle. Put the three-letter term on the invoice and make sure both sides read it the same way.
A pre-shipment check that takes two minutes
- Is the product description identical on invoice, packing list and COA?
- Does the HS code match what your broker will declare?
- Is the invoice value a real commercial value?
- Does the COA correspond to the lot actually in the carton?
- Is the incoterm stated, and do both sides agree what it covers?
Frequently asked questions
What documents should accompany a peptide shipment?
Commercial invoice, packing list, air waybill or bill of lading, certificate of analysis, safety data sheet, and a certificate of origin if preferential duty is claimed.
Why are shipments held at customs?
Most often because two documents describe the same goods differently, or the declared value or HS code does not match the goods.
Who decides the HS code?
The importer carries the liability. Suppliers suggest a code, but the importer should confirm it with their broker before shipping.
Can samples be declared as having no commercial value?
Samples have a real value. Declaring otherwise is a common cause of examination and delay.
What incoterm should a first order use?
Whichever both sides can state clearly. EXW is common from Chinese suppliers; CIF or DDP shift more of the arrangement to the seller.