Export Documentation Guide
Export documentation for Bali products: the paperwork that decides whether your goods clear customs
By Sasha, ExportBali Sourcing Agency. Updated July 2026
Getting documentation wrong, or missing a certificate, can hold your entire shipment at customs for weeks, sometimes months. I’ve seen it happen. This guide explains exactly which documents you need for which products, and why.
Documents every Bali shipment needs
This guide explains the paperwork. If you want it prepared for you rather than explained to you, that is export documentation, and it is part of how exporting from Bali works with me.
Commercial Invoice
An itemized list of all goods with descriptions, quantities, unit values, and total declared value. This must accurately reflect what’s in the container. Under-declaring value to reduce duties is customs fraud. I don’t help with this.
Packing List
A detailed breakdown of what’s in each carton or crate: contents, weight, dimensions. Customs uses this to match what they inspect against what’s declared.
Bill of Lading (sea) or Air Waybill (air)
The primary shipping document, issued by the carrier. Confirms goods are on the vessel and transfers ownership. How it fits the wider freight picture is covered in the Bali shipping guide.
Certificate of Origin
Confirms goods were produced in Indonesia. Required by most importing countries to apply correct duty rates. Issued by KADIN or through exporters with self-certification rights.
Additional documents for specific product types
Phytosanitary Certificate (timber furniture, rattan, bamboo, woven goods). Required by Australia, USA, EU, New Zealand, Canada, and most Western importing countries. Issued by Indonesia’s Ministry of Agriculture. Add 7–14 days for the inspection process before goods can ship.
Fumigation Certificate. Often required alongside the phytosanitary for timber goods. Particularly required for Australia (very strict), USA, and some EU entry points.
Legal Timber Certificate (SVLK). Indonesia’s timber verification system, required for wood products exported to the EU under EUTR and UK Timber Regulation.
CITES Documentation. Required only for certain protected hardwoods from natural forest sources. I work only with suppliers using plantation-grown or legally documented timber, so CITES documentation is rarely needed for standard commercial furniture.
HS Codes, why the right code matters
The HS (Harmonised System) code you declare for your goods determines the duty rate your destination customs authority applies. An incorrectly classified product can result in the wrong duty rate, either overpaying or, worse, underpaying, which is a customs fraud risk.
I verify the correct HS codes for every product category I handle. When in doubt, I consult the freight forwarder before anything ships. That coordination is part of shipping and logistics from Bali.
Common documentation mistakes and what they cost
| Mistake | Consequence | How to prevent it |
|---|---|---|
| Missing phytosanitary for timber | Shipment held at destination port | Arrange certificate before cargo is booked |
| Wrong HS code | Incorrect duty assessment, potential investigation | Verify with sourcing agent and freight forwarder |
| Undervalued invoice | Customs audit, goods seized, fines | Declare accurately, always |
| Incomplete packing list | Customs inspection delays | Document every carton precisely |
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance do I need to arrange phytosanitary certification?
Build in 7–14 days before your planned shipping date. The inspection is conducted by a government-approved inspector, and the certificate is then issued. I coordinate this as standard for all timber product shipments.
Do stone products need special documentation?
Generally no. Natural stone exports from Indonesia require standard commercial documentation only: invoice, packing list, certificate of origin. No phytosanitary, no CITES. This is one reason stone is logistically simpler to export than timber products.
Need your export documentation handled?
I prepare and coordinate all Bali-side export documentation as part of every sourcing engagement.