First, the role of the inspection certificate
An inspection certificate is a written document issued by a government commodity inspection agency, notary office or manufacturer to identify the quality, specification, weight, quantity, packaging and quarantine of goods. Although the inspection certificate is not a basic document in international settlement, if the inspection certificate does not conform to the provisions of the letter of credit or contract, the importing bank can use it as a reason for refusing to pay or claiming compensation. The functions of the inspection certificate mainly include:
(1) as a document for negotiation and payment;
(2) as a basis to prove whether the delivery quality, quantity, packaging and sanitary conditions meet the contract requirements.
(3) As a necessary document for declaration and customs clearance by the competent import department and customs;
(4) as the valuation basis of some commodities.
⑤ As a barrier to effectively prevent the spread of human and animal viruses or infectious diseases.
Two. Organization and type of inspection certificate issued by China:
In international trade, the issuers of commodity inspection certificates are generally professional inspection institutions, and some of them are issued by importers and exporters themselves, but in a word, the issuers of commodity inspection certificates do not exceed the following four categories, namely:
1, government inspection agency
Such as CIQ in People's Republic of China (PRC) and CCIC in China.
2. Unofficial inspection agencies
Such as: AUTHENTIC SERVEGOR, Sworn Tester, Swiss General Inspection Company (S.G.S), etc.
3. Manufacturer;
4. Users and importers.
Commodity inspection certificates issued by national inspection institutions are:
① Quality inspection certificate;
② Quantity/weight inspection certificate;
3 proof of value;
4 certificate of origin;
⑤ Health certificate;
6. Disinfection inspection certificate;
⑦ Temperature inspection certificate;
8 fumigation certificate, etc.
The inspection certificates issued by the animal and plant quarantine organ are:
1, phytosanitary certificate;
2. Animal quarantine certificate (i.e. veterinary certificate).
There are also a few inspection certificates issued by non-state inspection institutions, such as:
① Inspection certificate issued by the exporter/manufacturer.
② Swiss SGS inspection certificate (society general de survey S.A inspection certificate).
Japanese OSIC inspection certificate issued by omic.
④ French BV inspection certificate issued by BV.
⑤ Inspection certificate signed by the importer's designated person, etc.
Three. Contents to be filled in the inspection certificate
The inspection certificate varies with different contents and national standards. However, various inspection certificates generally have the following contents:
Name of issuing authority, place and certificate. If the letter of credit does not specify the issuing authority, it will be decided by the exporter. If the letter of credit stipulates that the certificate shall be issued by the "competent authority", because the competent authority refers to the institution with notarization qualification or authorized by the government, it shall be issued by the relevant commodity inspection authorities according to the specific circumstances. Unless otherwise stipulated in the letter of credit, the place where the inspection certificate is issued shall be the port of shipment of the goods. The name of the inspection certificate should be consistent with the contract or letter of credit.
(2) The name and address of the consignor. Usually the name and address of the exporter. The contents of this column shall conform to the provisions of the contract or letter of credit, and be consistent with other documents.
(3) The name and address of the consignee (usually the importer) should be consistent with the contract or letter of credit and other documents.
(4) Product name, inspection quantity, weight, packaging type and quantity, port of arrival, means of transport, shipping marks and other items. It should be completely consistent with the description in the commercial invoice and bill of lading. The name of the goods can be used as a general term.
5] Inspection result, this column is the most important item in the inspection certificate, and the current situation of the inspected goods is recorded in this column. The current situation of goods is a certificate to measure whether the goods meet the requirements of the contract or letter of credit, and it is also a legally binding document for handing over the goods or making claims and claims.
(6) The date of issuance of the visa and inspection certificate shall be no later than the date of bill of lading, but no earlier than the date of bill of lading, preferably one or two days before the date of bill of lading or at least the same as the date of bill of lading.
(7) Signature and seal. Generally speaking, a seal is as effective as a signature. However, some countries require that the inspection certificate issued must be signed by hand. In this case, only the inspection certificate is stamped without signature, which is considered invalid.
The inspection certificate has the following main purposes: a. the name and address of the export manufacturer; B. Name of commodity inspection certificate; C. invoice number; The inspection date shall not be later than the date of bill of lading; E. commodity name; F, shipping mark, if there is no shipping mark, fill in the weight; H, fill in the gross and net weights; First, it has been filled out in detail according to the inspection results; Signature and official seal of the agent.
Examples of clauses related to the inspection certificate in the letter of credit:
1, weight and quality certificate in triplicate.
2. Analysis certificate in quintuplicate.
Inspection certificate issued by the applicant and signed by Mr. Brown (copy is also acceptable.
4 \ Quality inspection certificate issued by China Commodity Inspection Bureau.