International Shipping: How it Works, Export Docs, Compliance

B-Stock connects global buyers with top retailers’ excess and returned inventory. Whether you’re interested in cross-border shopping via North America, South America, Europe, Africa, or Asia, we can help.

International buyers can participate on the B-Stock marketplace through freight forwarding or direct export (depending on seller eligibility). Understanding export documentation and compliance is essential to avoid delays and ensure smooth delivery.

Partnering With a Freight Forwarding Service

A freight forwarder is a company that arranges the import and export of goods. Partnering with a freight forwarding company is the best way to handle the logistics of cross-border shopping, and most importantly, ensure export compliance.

International buyers will be asked to submit valid freight forwarder information during registration. This shipping document should be on the company’s letterhead, confirming you are a current customer authorized to use that address.

How International Shipping Works on B-Stock

To participate in cross-border shopping, you should follow these steps:

1. Complete your international buyer registration
   • If registering for the first time, freight forwarder information is required for cross-border shopping.
   • If you are based in the US and later choose to start importing/exporting, you can upload the applicable documents to your Buyer Profile.
   • All business buyers must submit the required business and tax documentation.
2. Explore sellers available to international buyers (see full list below)
3. On the listing details page, click Select a Way to Receive Goods.
4. Next, inventory ships to the freight forwarder; you must then arrange your own shipping to export it.
   • Depending on eligibility, some sellers will allow shipping directly outside of the country where the seller is located.

Exporting Resources

Familiarize yourself with the following exporting resources before starting your buying journey. Having the correct documentation is a non-negotiable if you’re buying and shipping internationally.

Common Export Documents

• Commercial Invoice – a bill for the goods from the seller to the buyer that includes seller and shipment details, description of goods, and declared value.
• Packing List – lists the goods being shipped, information on how they were packed, how the goods are numbered, and weight/height dimensions.
• Bill of Lading – a contract between the owner of the goods and the carrier, noting what goods are shipping, where they are going, and where the shipment began.
• Certificate of Origin – used to identify the country of the manufacturer where the goods were made.
• Export License (if applicable) – a government document that authorizes the export of specific goods in specific quantities to a particular destination.

For more common export documents, check out the guide below.