Customs Declarations: Document Upload

Document Upload allows you to submit self-prepared customs paperwork, such as Pro Forma Invoices, USMCA form (like USMCA Certification of Origin), or other documents. Use this feature whenever a shipment requires supplemental international documentation to prevent customs delays or delivery issues.

For information about using API endpoints, HTTP examples, and similar needs for this feature, see our developer-specific page Documents: Carrier Document Upload (DUS).

Supported Carriers

Currently, the Document Upload feature is supported for the following carrier integrations:

  • FedEx

  • UPS

Supported File Formats

The following file extensions are allowed:

  • PDF (.pdf is the default, if left blank)

  • PNG (.png)

Important Note about Uploaded Documents

Once you have uploaded a document and sent it to the carrier, it cannot be deleted or modified. Please ensure all information is accurate before finalizing.

Requirements

The following are required to use Document Upload.

Account Setup & Prerequisites

For standalone UPS accounts, you must have a valid 6-digit UPS shipper number enabled for "Upload Forms Created Offline" to avoid API errors.

UPS Document & Upload Restrictions

The table outlines the document and upload restrictions for UPS international shipments, specifying the accepted file formats (PDF and PNG), file size limits (up to 10 MB per file and 50 MB total per order), and a maximum quantity of 13 documents per shipment.

Requirement

Limit / Specification

Accepted File Formats

PDF or PNG only

  • PDF (.pdf is the default, if left blank)

  • PNG (.png)

File Size

  • Max 10 MB per file

  • Max 50 MB total per order

Quantity

Maximum of 13 total documents allowed per shipment (up to 13 files uploaded at one time).

Supported Document Types

The types of forms you can upload vary depending on whether you are shipping with FedEx or UPS.

FedEx Accepted Forms:

  • Pro Forma Invoice

  • USMCA Certification of Origin

  • USMCA Commercial Invoice Certification of Origin

  • Other Commercial Documents

UPS Accepted Forms:

  • Authorization Form

  • Certificate of Origin

  • Declaration

  • Export Accompanying Document / Export License

  • Import Permit

  • Packing List

  • Power of Attorney

  • Pro Forma Invoice / Commercial Invoice

  • Shipper's Letter of Instruction

  • Shipper's Export Declaration (SED)

  • USMCA Certification of Origin / Commercial Invoice

Add Self-Prepared Documents to an Order

You can attach customs documents directly to an order before generating a shipping label.

  1. Open an international order on the Orders grid.

    Orders grid. Destination filter menu open, International selected
  2. Open the Customs section of the specific order, and scroll to the Upload Customs Documents section of the Declarations.

    ORD_Custom-Declaration_Upload-Custom-Documents_MRK.png
  3. Click Upload File.

    Upload file button shown marked in the Upload Customs Document section.

    The Upload Customs Documents pop-up will open.

  4. Select the Document Type from the dropdown menu before choosing your file.

    Select-Document-type menu shown open in Upload Customs Documents Popup.
  5. Drag-and-drop or upload the file from your local directory.

    ORD_Custom-Declaration_Upload-Custom-Documents_PU.png
  6. Click Done to save the changes.

The document will be securely saved with the order and automatically transmitted to the carrier as soon as the shipping label is created.

Add Documents After a Label Has Been Created

If your customs documents are not ready when you are creating the shipping label, you can still upload them later by flagging the order in advance.

ORD_Custom-Declaration_Upload-Custom-Documents_CHECK-BOX_MRK.png
  1. Pre-Label Setup (Required): Before creating the label, go to the Customs section and select the checkbox to upload documents later.

    Required Step: Enable Post-Label Uploads First

    You must select this option prior to label creation if you intend to add documents to the shipment later.

  2. Post-Label Upload: Once the documents are ready, you can upload them by opening the Shipment Details page.

  3. Manage Outstanding Documents: To help you track shipments missing required paperwork, any shipment flagged for later upload that does not yet have a document attached will automatically appear in the Pending Customs Documents shipment view. Use this dashboard to ensure all pending shipments are completed before transit.

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