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Customs Forms Settings

Customs Forms Settings Page

To display the Custom Forms settings page for a Carrier account:

  1. Click SETTINGS.

  2. Select the Carrier account, and then click Customs Forms. For example:



    The Customs Forms settings page is displayed for the selected Carrier. The options on the page vary, depending on the selected Carrier.


Tip: If you have questions regarding international shipping, contact the shipping Carrier:
FedEx: 1-800-GO-FEDEX; ask for the international shipping/export team
UPS: 1-800-PICK-UPS


Entering, Editing or Deleting a Commodity

The Commodities area of Descartes ShipRush Web needs to be completed for export/International shipments. To enter, edit, or delete a Commodity:

  1. If needed, click Back until the root main menu is displayed.


  2. Click COMMODITY LIST. If a Commodity has been saved, the Commodity List is displayed. If no Commodities have been entered, then the Editing Commodity page is displayed.

  3. Do one of the following:

    • To enter a Commodity, click Add Commodity (top of screen).

    • To edit an existing Commodity, double-click its line item in the Commodity list.

  4. The Edit Commodity page is displayed:



    The Delete Commodity option is located below the Editing Commodity form.

  5. As needed, enter or edit the Description, Comm. Code, Qty, weight (Wt,ttl), Units, Total, Currency, HS Tariff, and Origin. See Method 2 for details on the fields listed above.

  6. Click Back to save your entries.

Note: Descartes ShipRush Web will print the export information and label it as a CN-22 or CP-72.


FedEx and UPS Shipping

Additional paperwork is often required for international Shipments. On the Customs Forms page, if you select Print invoice and other documents when shipping (highlighted in the graphic below), then Descartes ShipRush Web will automatically generate the appropriate documents each time you ship.

If your shipping account has been enabled by the Carrier for "paperless" or "electronic" documents, then select Upload the Invoice (aka Paperless Invoice), print other papers (highlighted in the graphic below).

Note: You should print at least one copy of each relevant document. However, if set to "paperless" or "electronic," the documents are not sent to your printer but instead uploaded to the Carrier.


Export Documentation

This section provides general information regarding export documentation. Contact your shipping Carrier for details. International shipping requires that specific types of paperwork are included with the Shipment, such as a Commercial Invoice (CI), Certificate of Origin (CO), NAFTA certificate, and possibly other paperwork.

Note: Contact your Carrier to learn which paperwork is required for a specific Shipment.

Note: A Commercial Invoice (CI) is needed for most shipments.


Commercial Invoices

General Rules for Commercial Invoice

  • Include three copies of the Commercial Invoice from your accounting software or e-commerce system with your Shipment. In most cases, this is sufficient. Because the invoice is already entered, additional data entry is not needed.

  • When shipping FedEx Ground to Canada, include four copies of the Commercial Invoice.

  • If you print your own Commercial Invoice, the FedEx Tracking Number should be printed on the Invoice.


Creating a Commercial Invoice

There are two main methods for creating a Commercial Invoice:


Method 1

Create a pro-forma Invoice using a word processor. The Commercial Invoice must include the date, seller, and buyer information, as well as the list of goods and prices. This option can be used for many Carriers, especially Carriers that transport standard goods or breakdown goods differently for export purposes (for example, software companies that split intellectual property licenses from the actual media cost).


Method 2

Allow Descartes ShipRush Web to generate the paperwork. This option requires you to add Commodities to the Shipment in Descartes ShipRush Web. On the Editing Commodity page, enter the following information:

  • Description (of goods): The Description can be short, such as "Christmas gifts" or "Order of widgets", but must be accurate and sufficiently detailed. For example, "Disc rotor for Ford 150 Truck braking system" is sufficient; but "Brake part" or "Auto Part" may be considered vague by Customs, causing problems with your Shipment. Another example of an acceptable Description is "Brake Caliper for Aircraft".

  • Comm. Code: The Schedule B code is used for exports from the U.S.

Tip: The Comm. Code is not required but is helpful to move your Shipment through customs more reliably.

  • Qty: The quantity of the item in the Shipment.

  • Wt,tti: Enter the weight of a single item (item Qty x item weight = total weight of items).

  • Units: The type of unit used to measure items. "Each" is used most often. Other options include "lbs" and "kgs". The option selected is usually driven by how tariffs are applied for the item being shipped (for example, the tariff is defined as per item/each or by weight). If you are unsure of which option to choose, consult the Carrier's export desk.

  • Total: Descartes ShipRush Web calculates the total amount from each line item in the goods area and enters the Total automatically. The Total is the Shipment value that will be submitted to customs, so make sure it is correct. If this value is not correct, adjust the amount(s) on the line item(s) in the goods area.

  • Currency: Select the Currency type.

  • HS Tariff/Commodity Code: This may be optional, depending on Carrier; check with the Carrier.

  • Origin: Select the country of Origin.


What Is a Schedule B Number (AKA Harmonized Code or Commodity Code)?

The Schedule B code is the Commodity Code for an item being exported from the U.S.. Also, the code is the U.S. adaptation of the worldwide Harmonized Schedule number. If fully detailed, the code is 10 digits and is generally written in this format: AABB.CC.DDDD.

For example, the Schedule B code for poultry is 0207. The code for frozen and cut chicken is 0207.14. The code for frozen chicken cut into leg quarters is 0207.14.0010. This fully descriptive code is the final Schedule B code and is added to the International Customs form.


Tip: Use the U.S. Census Department search tool to find the appropriate Schedule B code. Go to http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/schedules/b/.

Note: See Advanced Export Information for additional information.

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