These licenses are issued by government authorities to permit the legal movement of goods across borders. Accurate translation is essential to ensure recognition by foreign customs agencies and to comply with import/export restrictions and approvals.

This document certifies the country in which the goods were manufactured. It is critical for qualifying for trade agreement benefits and for determining tariffs. Misinterpretation can lead to incorrect duty charges or denied entry.

These documents assign Harmonized System (HS) codes to goods, which are used by customs to classify products and apply appropriate duties. Correct translation ensures regulatory alignment and prevents incorrect classifications.

Used to determine the true value of imported goods, commercial invoices must be translated with high precision to avoid discrepancies that could lead to customs delays or fines. They typically include product descriptions, values, and incoterms.

A proforma invoice is a preliminary bill sent before shipment that is often required for customs pre-approval. Translations must align with commercial invoice terminology to avoid confusion during later inspection.

This includes both hard copy and electronic formats that declare the contents, value, and purpose of goods entering or exiting a country. Errors in translation can result in shipment holds or rejections.

Required for shipping hazardous materials, these forms must meet IATA, IMDG, or ADR requirements. Translations must be precise to reflect risk classifications, handling instructions, and regulatory codes.

A bill of lading serves as a contract between shipper and carrier, as well as a receipt and document of title. Translated versions are required for customs clearance and legal disputes, especially when multiple jurisdictions are involved.

This document lists the items included in each package or container. Customs agents rely on accurate translations for inventory checks, container verification, and to prevent smuggling or item misclassification.

These include compliance paperwork for agreements like USMCA, NAFTA, EU-Japan EPA, and ASEAN FTAs. Translations must conform to treaty-specific language and formatting standards to benefit from tariff exemptions or reduced rates.

These disclosures document whether the goods, parties involved, or destination countries fall under international trade sanctions. Translations must be legally accurate to meet requirements from OFAC, the EU, and UN frameworks.

These certificates confirm that products meet the safety and technical standards of the destination market. Precise translation is vital for customs officials to accept the goods and for regulatory audits post-entry.

We translate import/export permits, HS code classifications, and parts lists for automotive manufacturers, distributors, and OEMs. Our services help ensure accurate customs clearance for engines, chassis, powertrains, and aftermarket components in markets with strict import controls. To learn more about Stepes’ comprehensive automotive translation services, please click here.

We support the life sciences sector with translations of customs declarations, certificates of analysis, and regulatory filings. Our team is familiar with dual compliance for health authorities and customs agencies, including the need for precise labeling, lot traceability, and temperature-controlled shipment declarations.

Stepes provides ITAR- and EAR-compliant translations for defense contractors and aerospace suppliers shipping sensitive equipment or technology across borders. We handle export control documents, end-use certificates, and compliance disclosures with precision and confidentiality.

Our services cover high-volume customs paperwork for electronic devices, semiconductors, and smart technologies. We translate commercial invoices, certificates of conformity, and packaging lists to streamline customs clearance and prevent misclassification of high-value items. Learn more about Stepes’ consumer electronics translation solutions here.

We translate documentation for textile and garment imports, including country of origin declarations, fiber content breakdowns, and tariff classification forms. Our translations support compliance with customs requirements under trade agreements such as USMCA and the EU-Vietnam FTA.

We work with exporters and importers of perishable goods to translate sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) certificates, inspection reports, and customs health declarations. Our linguistic precision helps meet the strict documentation standards of food safety regulators and border inspection agencies worldwide.

Every document undergoes a rigorous three-step quality control workflow:

1. Translation by a native-speaking, subject matter expert
2. Editing by a second linguist for accuracy, consistency, and regulatory alignment
3. Proofreading to finalize formatting, grammar, and cross-field validation

This layered review process minimizes risk, ensures compliance with official customs terminology, and maintains the integrity of the source content.

Customs documentation often includes structured forms, tables, and labels that require precise layout replication in translation. Our in-context review process checks the translated content within the original formatting environment to preserve field alignment, form structure, and document usability—especially for BOLs, declarations, and certificates that follow strict customs templates.

We create and maintain client-specific glossaries and country-specific terminology databases to ensure consistency across recurring documents and multi-country shipments. All translations adhere to standard customs, logistics, and trade compliance vocabulary, with support for:

• Harmonized System (HS) code descriptions
• Trade agreement-specific phrasing (e.g., USMCA, EU FTAs)
• Regulatory compliance terminology (e.g., OFAC, ITAR, CE marking)

This ensures that customs officials in each destination country receive documentation in a format and language they recognize, speeding up clearance and reducing the risk of rejection.

Stepes deployed a dedicated team of linguists specialized in global trade compliance, supported by a centralized terminology database and translation memory technology. We streamlined the client’s documentation workflows, delivered accurate translations in 18 languages, and ensured alignment with country-specific customs templates and classification standards.

• 40% reduction in customs processing delays across all major markets
• Improved shipment predictability, enabling better inventory and supply chain planning
• Consistent terminology usage, reducing rejections and revision cycles by over 60%
• Seamless integration with the client’s logistics management system via API for document submission and tracking

This success underscores the importance of professional translation in cross-border logistics, particularly in high-regulation sectors where even minor discrepancies can disrupt global operations.