Trade enquiry: A trade enquiry is a written request by an importing firm to the

exporter for supply of information regarding the price and various terms and
conditions on which the latter exports goods.
Proforma invoice: A proforma invoice is a document that contains details as to the
quality, grade, design, size, weight and price of the export product, and the terms
and conditions on which their export will take place.
Import order or indent: It is a document in which the buyer (importer) orders for
supply of requisite goods to the supplier (exporter). The order or indent contains the
information such as quantity and quality of goods to be imported, price to be charged,
method of forwarding the goods, nature of packing, mode of payment, etc.
Letter of credit: It is document that contains a guarantee from the importer bank
to the exporter’s bank that it is undertaking to honour the payment up to a certain
amount of the bills issued by the exporter for exports of the goods to the importer.
Shipment advice: The shipment advice is a document that the exporter sends to
the importer informing him that the shipment of goods has been made. Shipment
of advice contains invoice number, bill of lading/airways bill number and date,
name of the vessel with date, the port of export, description of goods and quantity,
and the date of sailing of the vessel.
Bill of lading: It is a document prepared and signed by the master of the ship
acknowledging the receipt of goods on board. It contains terms and conditions on
which the goods are to be taken to the port of destination.
Airway Bill: Like a bill of lading, an airway bill is a document wherein an airline/
shipping company gives its official receipt of the goods on board its aircraft and at
the same time gives an undertaking to carry them to the port of destination. It is
also a document of title to the goods and as such is freely transferable by the
endorsement and delivery.