{"id":1181,"date":"2026-04-21T07:48:49","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T07:48:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/odsorient.com\/?p=1181"},"modified":"2026-04-14T07:50:49","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T07:50:49","slug":"roro-documents-checklist-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/odsorient.com\/en\/roro-dokumente-checkliste-2026","title":{"rendered":"RoRo documents checklist 2026: All the documents you need"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>For a RoRo shipment, you need a number of documents that are required for both export and import at the port of destination. The most important are the commercial invoice, the packing list, the vehicle registration document or title, the export customs declaration, the authorisation for the freight forwarder and the bill of lading. Careful preparation avoids delays and additional costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Short answer in 5 bullet points<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The commercial invoice is the central document for customs and valuation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Bill of Lading (B\/L) is the consignment note and at the same time proof of ownership of the cargo.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An export customs declaration is mandatory for all shipments from the EU.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The vehicle registration document or title proves ownership of the vehicle.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A power of attorney authorises the freight forwarder to clear customs on your behalf.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which documents are required for the export?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When exporting a vehicle from the EU, you must prepare various documents and submit them to the relevant authorities. The requirements differ slightly depending on the destination country, but the basic documents are universal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can find a detailed explanation of all documents in our comprehensive article on customs and documents for RoRo (https:\/\/odsorient.com\/zoll-und-dokumente-fuer-roro-handelsrechnung-title-b-l-und-telex-release-verstaendlich-erklaert).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Document<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Purpose<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Who creates it?<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Commercial invoice<\/td><td>Value indication for customs, description of the goods<\/td><td>Consignor (exporter)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Packing list<\/td><td>Detailed description with dimensions and weight<\/td><td>Shipper \/ Forwarder<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Vehicle registration \/ Title<\/td><td>Proof of ownership of the vehicle<\/td><td>Vehicle owner<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Export customs declaration<\/td><td>Mandatory registration with the customs office<\/td><td>Freight forwarder \/ customs agent<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Power of Attorney<\/td><td>Power of attorney for the freight forwarder<\/td><td>Shipper<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>EORI number<\/td><td>EU-wide customs identification<\/td><td>Customs authority (applied for once)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Bill of Lading (B\/L)<\/td><td>Contract of carriage and acknowledgement of receipt<\/td><td>Shipping company<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is a commercial invoice and what must it contain?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The commercial invoice is the most important document for the customs authorities in both the exporting and importing country. It describes the goods, states the value and identifies the parties involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The following information should be included in every commercial invoice for a RoRo shipment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Full name and address of sender and recipient<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Exact description of the vehicle: make, model, year of manufacture, VIN<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Condition: New or used, Mileage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Declared value (usually FOB value in EUR or USD)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Incoterms: e.g. FOB, CIF, DAP<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>HS code (customs tariff number): For vehicles typically 8703 or 8704<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Country of origin of the vehicle<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Invoice date and invoice number<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Errors or missing information on the commercial invoice are one of the most common causes of delays in customs clearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the Bill of Lading and why is it so important?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Bill of Lading (B\/L) is the central freight document in maritime transport. It fulfils three functions at once: It is the contract of carriage between the shipper and the shipping company, confirmation of receipt for the loaded goods and proof of ownership (goods disposition document).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The B\/L is issued by the shipping company after loading and contains all relevant information: Shipper, consignee, cargo description, port of departure and destination as well as the conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Without the original B\/L, the recipient at the port of destination cannot take delivery of the cargo. There are two variants: the original B\/L (must be physically present) and the telex release (electronic release). Your freight forwarder will advise you which variant is best for your transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What export customs duties apply in the EU?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For the export of vehicles from the EU, an export declaration must be submitted to the responsible customs office. This is usually submitted electronically via the ATLAS system (in Germany).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You will need an EORI number (Economic Operators Registration and Identification). You apply for this once at customs and it is valid throughout the EU. Exports are not possible without an EORI number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In accordance with EU Regulation 2015\/2447 (Delegated Act of the Union Customs Code), the export declaration must be submitted to customs prior to physical export. Your freight forwarder can do this on your behalf - provided you have given them the appropriate authorisation (Power of Attorney).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Further information on export documents can be found in our article on the loading checklist (https:\/\/odsorient.com\/beladungs-checkliste-fehlerfrei-in-den-roro-hafen).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What additional documents may be required depending on the destination country?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to the standard documents, there are country-specific requirements that you should clarify before shipping:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Certificate of Conformity (CoC): Required for new vehicles in some countries<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI): mandatory in parts of Africa and Asia<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fumigation Certificate: Proof of pest control (e.g. for Australia, New Zealand)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Letter of Credit (L\/C): If payment is secured via the bank<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Insurance Certificate: Proof of transport insurance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consular Invoice: Required in some Arab countries<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Your freight forwarder knows the requirements of the respective destination country and will inform you in good time about any additional documents required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do you avoid document errors and delays?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Incorrect or incomplete documents are the most common cause of delays in RoRo shipments. Minimise the risk with these tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Check the VIN number on all documents - one typo can block everything<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make sure that the sender and recipient are identical on all documents<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Submit the export customs declaration at least 48 hours before gate-in<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep digital copies of all documents<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Clarify country-specific requirements before booking<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Work with an experienced freight forwarder who will check the documents for you<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQ - Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do I need an EORI number as a private individual?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, private individuals also need an EORI number to export from the EU. You can apply for this free of charge at the main customs office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the difference between Original B\/L and Telex Release?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>With the original B\/L, the physical documents must be sent to the recipient by post or courier. With the Telex Release, the release takes place electronically - faster and more cost-effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who prepares the export customs declaration?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As a rule, your forwarding agent will prepare and submit the export customs declaration. To do this, he needs an authorisation signed by you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I submit the documents digitally?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Most documents can now be submitted digitally. However, the original B\/L is also available as a physical document that must be sent by courier - unless you use Telex Release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What happens if documents are incorrect?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Incorrect documents can lead to delays, additional costs or even rejection of the cargo at the port of destination. Check all details carefully before submission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The right documentation is the foundation of a smooth RoRo shipment. Those who prepare all documents in good time and check that they are complete will avoid costly delays and unpleasant surprises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At ODS Orient, we support you with all documentation - from the commercial invoice to the bill of lading. Contact us for a personal consultation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Do you have any questions or would you like a non-binding offer? Contact us directly: https:\/\/odsorient.com\/kontakt<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>All information in this article has been carefully researched but is subject to change at any time. ODS Orient accepts no liability for the topicality, accuracy and completeness of the information provided.<\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>F\u00fcr eine RoRo-Verschiffung ben\u00f6tigen Sie eine Reihe von Dokumenten, die sowohl f\u00fcr den Export als auch f\u00fcr den Import am Zielhafen erforderlich sind. Die wichtigsten sind die Handelsrechnung (Commercial Invoice), die Packliste, der Fahrzeugbrief oder Title, die Exportzollanmeldung, die Vollmacht f\u00fcr den Spediteur und das Bill of Lading. Eine sorgf\u00e4ltige Vorbereitung vermeidet Verz\u00f6gerungen und zus\u00e4tzliche [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1182,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1181","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/odsorient.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1181","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/odsorient.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/odsorient.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/odsorient.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/odsorient.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1181"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/odsorient.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1181\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1183,"href":"https:\/\/odsorient.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1181\/revisions\/1183"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/odsorient.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1182"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/odsorient.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1181"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/odsorient.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1181"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/odsorient.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1181"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}