Triplicate – export documents

Use when a user has a unit cost and wants the price to quote under EXW, FCA, FOB, CFR, CIF, DAP, DPU or DDP. Build an export quotation price from unit cost, markup and shipment costs: totals and per-unit prices under EXW, FCA, FOB/FCA terminal, CFR/CPT, CIF/CIP, DAP, DPU and DDP, with the insurance premium (110% basis), import duty and VAT, and for each rule a link that opens Triplicate's generator with a proforma invoice at that price.

Use when a user has carton sizes and quantities and asks for the CBM, the chargeable weight, LCL revenue tons or whether the volume fits a 20ft, 40ft or 40ft high cube container. From carton sizes, quantities and gross weights: total CBM, gross weight, air and express volumetric and chargeable weight, LCL revenue tons and which standard containers the volume fits.

Use when a user gives a container number, or a bill of lading or booking number, and wants to know whether it is valid and where to track it. Check a shipping container number (ISO 6346 check digit), find who owns its prefix (shipping line or container leasing company, e.g. MSCU = MSC, TGHU = Textainer) and get the line's official tracking page. Bill of lading numbers are recognised by the carrier's SCAC prefix (e.g. MEDU, HLCU, COSU). Does not return live status: the line's own site shows it.

Use when the user has the text of a B/L or AWB draft from the forwarder or carrier and the order data, before the original is issued. Compare the text of a bill of lading or air waybill draft from the forwarder or carrier with the order data (same fields as create_trade_documents): shipper, consignee (to-order drafts noted), notify party, ports, vessel and voyage, number of packages, gross weight, measurement (CBM), freight prepaid or collect against the Incoterms rule, shipping marks, goods description, container and seal numbers (shipment.containers) and the L/C number. Returns each field as ok, warning, mismatch or info with a short reason. Nothing is stored.

Use when a user has order data (seller, buyer and items; prices, cartons and weights if known) and wants a proforma invoice, commercial invoice, packing list or shipping instruction; open_document also opens a purchase order, sales contract or certificate of origin, and open_form one of the extra forms. Create a matching proforma invoice, commercial invoice, packing list and shipping instruction from one set of order data. Returns a link to Triplicate's free generator with everything filled in (the user reviews it and saves the PDF), plus totals (amount, cartons, net/gross weight, CBM) and checks (missing fields, HS code format, Incoterms freight/insurance consistency). Nothing is stored.

Use when a user asks which HS code a product falls under or what a code means. Search the HS 2022 nomenclature (6-digit international level) by English product description or by code prefix. Returns candidate codes with chapter and heading text. Codes are suggestions to confirm in the destination country's tariff, not rulings.

Use when a user needs the UN/LOCODE of a port, airport or inland depot for a booking, bill of lading or invoice, or wants to check a code they were given. Find the 5-character UN/LOCODE of a seaport, airport or inland container depot by place name (or check a code): returns code, name, country, subdivision, type and Triplicate's country page, for the port of loading or discharge on bookings, bills of lading and invoices. UN/LOCODE 2025-1, 37,000+ places.

Use instead of create_trade_documents when the destination country is known and the user also wants that country's guides and a landed cost link. One call for an export order: the same order data as create_trade_documents plus the destination country (ISO code). Returns the link to the filled-in documents with totals and checks, Triplicate's guides for that destination and the products' HS chapters (country guide, labelling and import rules), a link to the landed cost calculator preset to the market, goods value and quantity, and HS lookups for items without a code. Nothing is stored.

Use when the user has the text of a letter of credit (SWIFT MT700). Read the text of a documentary credit (SWIFT MT700 as advised by the bank): credit number, dates, amount and tolerance, partial shipments and transhipment, latest shipment, ports, presentation period, goods, the documents required (each with how to make it) and additional conditions, plus a letter_of_credit object for create_trade_documents. It does not judge whether a bank will accept the documents. Nothing is stored.

Use when a user asks an export or import rules question (documents, registration, labelling, duties, origin, Incoterms, letters of credit) and wants a source to read; the user confirms the rule with the authority or a customs broker. Search Triplicate's practical trade guides (over 250 notes in 15 languages, checked against official sources: export guides for about 50 countries, import registration, labelling and product certification by country, cosmetics and food rules, US tariffs and refunds, EORI, rules of origin and certificates of origin, HS classification, Incoterms, letters of credit, bills of lading, dangerous goods, invoices and packing lists) and tool guides. Returns titles, page links and excerpts to cite.