CES Export Documentation & Compliance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which document serves as the primary contract between a shipper and a carrier for ocean freight shipments?
- Commercial Invoice
- Bill of Lading (Correct answer)
- Packing List
- Certificate of Origin
Correct answer: Bill of Lading
The Bill of Lading is the legal contract between the shipper and ocean carrier, serving as a receipt for goods and document of title.
Question 2: An EEI (Electronic Export Information) must be filed in AES for shipments exceeding what value threshold to a single country?
- $1,000
- $2,500 (Correct answer)
- $5,000
- $10,000
Correct answer: $2,500
EEI must be filed in AES for shipments valued over $2,500 per Schedule B number destined to a single country.
Question 3: A Shipper's Export Declaration (SED) was replaced by which electronic filing system?
- ACE (Automated Commercial Environment)
- AES (Automated Export System) (Correct answer)
- ABI (Automated Broker Interface)
- AMS (Automated Manifest System)
Correct answer: AES (Automated Export System)
The paper SED was replaced by the Automated Export System (AES), where exporters now file Electronic Export Information (EEI).
Question 4: Which Incoterm transfers risk to the buyer once goods are loaded onto the vessel at the port of origin?
- CFR
- CIF
- FOB (Correct answer)
- FAS
Correct answer: FOB
Under FOB (Free On Board), risk transfers from seller to buyer once goods are loaded on board the vessel at the named port of shipment.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a Phytosanitary Certificate in export documentation?
- Certifies the financial value of goods
- Certifies that plant products are free from pests and disease (Correct answer)
- Confirms payment terms between buyer and seller
- Documents the country of manufacture
Correct answer: Certifies that plant products are free from pests and disease
A Phytosanitary Certificate is issued by the USDA and certifies that plant materials or agricultural products meet the importing country's pest and disease regulations.
Question 6: Which document is required when exporting goods that are subject to U.S. export controls under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR)?
- Pro Forma Invoice
- Export License or License Exception notation (Correct answer)
- Dock Receipt
- Arrival Notice
Correct answer: Export License or License Exception notation
EAR-controlled items require either a validated export license from BIS or a documented license exception citation on export documentation.
Question 7: A forwarder receives a shipment with Schedule B number 8471.30.0100. Where would an exporter look to determine if this item needs an export license?
- Harmonized Tariff Schedule
- Commerce Control List (CCL) (Correct answer)
- U.S. Munitions List (USML)
- Denied Persons List
Correct answer: Commerce Control List (CCL)
The Commerce Control List (CCL) maintained by BIS is used to determine export licensing requirements for dual-use commercial and industrial items.
CES Export Documentation & Compliance 2
Which document serves as the primary contract between a shipper and a carrier for ocean freight shipments?