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Shipping Documents API
Know exactly which documents every shipment needs
https://api.compliancegrid.ai/api/v1
9 endpoints
~45ms avg response
Overview
The Shipping Documents API determines which shipping documents are required for any international freight shipment. It evaluates 11 rule dimensions — sanctions screening, transport mode, origin/destination country requirements, commodity category, value thresholds, trade agreements, pre-shipment inspection, and special flags — returning a prioritized, annotated list of required, conditional, and recommended documents. Built on U.S. DOC/ITA data, OFAC sanctions, EAR/ITAR regulations, IATA DGR, IMDG Code, and 40+ country-specific certification requirements.
Key Features
11-dimension rules engine covering all major trade scenarios
OFAC, EU, and UN sanctions screening (Dim 0) — blocks before document list
Transport-mode-specific docs: AWB (air), B/L (ocean), Inland BOL (ground)
Country-specific requirements: consular legalization, importer registration
13 commodity categories: hazmat, food, pharma, textiles, electronics, etc.
Country × Commodity certifications: INMETRO, CCC, CE, SASO, EAC, NOM, RCM
Trade agreement detection: USMCA, KORUS, CAFTA-DR, EU Single Market, bilateral FTAs
U.S. EEI/AES filing threshold ($2,500 per Schedule B number)
Special flags: L/C, Documentary Collection, ATA Carnet, dual-use, re-export, organic, radioactive
Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) for ~40 countries
Halal, Organic, Cold Chain, and Certificate of Free Sale support
Responsible party and US export/import applicability on every document
Endpoints
POST
/api/v1/required-documentsGET
/api/v1/required-documents/quickGET
/api/v1/reference/commodity-categoriesGET
/api/v1/reference/transport-modesGET
/api/v1/reference/trade-agreementsGET
/api/v1/reference/payment-methodsGET
/api/v1/reference/sanctions-countriesGET
/api/v1/reference/psi-countriesGET
/api/v1/healthQuick Example
shipping-docs-example.ts
import ComplianceGrid from "@compliancegrid/sdk";
const client = new ComplianceGrid({
apiKey: process.env.COMPLIANCEGRID_API_KEY,
});
// Determine required documents for an export shipment
const docs = await client.shippingDocuments.getRequired({
origin_country: "US",
destination_country: "SA",
direction: "export",
transport_mode: "ocean",
commodity_category: "food_agriculture",
shipment_value_usd: 50000,
payment_method: "letter_of_credit",
});
console.log(docs.total_documents); // 14
console.log(docs.required_count); // 9
console.log(docs.sanctions_warnings); // []
// Check each required document
for (const doc of docs.documents) {
if (doc.priority === "required") {
console.log(`[${doc.document_code}] ${doc.document_name}`);
console.log(` Responsible: ${doc.responsible_party}`);
console.log(` Reason: ${doc.reason}`);
}
}Sample Response
response.json
{
"origin_country": "US",
"destination_country": "SA",
"direction": "export",
"transport_mode": "ocean",
"commodity_category": "food_agriculture",
"applicable_trade_agreements": [],
"sanctions_warnings": [],
"total_documents": 14,
"required_count": 9,
"conditional_count": 4,
"recommended_count": 1,
"documents": [
{
"document_name": "Commercial Invoice",
"document_code": "CI",
"priority": "required",
"description": "Itemized list of goods with values, terms of sale, and parties.",
"reason": "Required for all international shipments.",
"issuing_party": "Exporter",
"responsible_party": "Shipper / Exporter",
"us_export_required": "Required",
"us_import_required": "Required",
"applicable_regulations": "UCC Article 2; CBP 19 CFR 141.86"
},
{
"document_name": "Halal Certificate",
"document_code": "HALAL",
"priority": "required",
"description": "Certification that food products comply with Islamic dietary law.",
"reason": "Saudi Arabia requires Halal certification for food imports.",
"issuing_party": "Accredited Halal Certification Body",
"responsible_party": "Third-Party Inspector",
"us_export_required": "Conditional",
"us_import_required": "N/A",
"applicable_regulations": "GSO 2055-1; SFDA Import Requirements"
}
],
"invoice_requirements": [
{ "rule": "Arabic translation", "details": "Saudi customs may require Arabic-language invoices." }
],
"prohibited_restricted_items": []
}