A container of frozen berries takes weeks to cross an ocean and seconds to be judged wrong. The documents you collect before shipment are the only defense you have, and most of them cost nothing to request. Here are the seven that matter, and what each one should contain.
One: the specification sheet. This is the contract’s technical heart: size grade, Brix minimum, defect tolerance, foreign material limits, moisture content, and pack format. If a supplier cannot produce one, the product has no definition and neither does your dispute.
Two: the Certificate of Analysis. A CoA reports lab results for the specific lot — microbiology, pesticide residues, heavy metals — tested against the destination market’s limits, not generic ones. Ask for the CoA on a recent shipment, not just a promise of one later.
Three: temperature logs. The reefer log and the warehouse records should show -18°C or below from the IQF tunnel to the port. Look for excursions and, more importantly, for what the supplier did about them.
Four: current certificates with scope. Food safety certificates (BRCGS, IFS, or FSSC 22000), farm programs (GlobalGAP), and organic certificates where relevant. Check expiry dates and that the scope covers your exact product. [Industry Standard]
Five: the audit report, not just the logo. The report shows non-conformities and corrective actions, which is the part that tells you how the facility actually runs.
Six: an allergen and ingredient statement. Berries are low-allergen, but cross-contact with allergens like nuts or dairy can happen in multi-product facilities. A written statement from the supplier is the minimum; a shared kitchen audit is better.
Seven: shipping and insurance documents. Bill of lading, certificate of origin, and insurance terms matter when things go wrong, and they should be standardized before the container loads, not negotiated after a claim.
The pattern behind the list is simple: documents are the only part of the shipment you can check before you pay. Suppliers who provide all seven without friction — and who know what each one contains — have answered these questions before. WylFoods prepares this exact document set for every market we ship to, and our export team can walk a new buyer through each file in a single call. [Company Fact Pending: confirm document set and processes]
Take the list to your next supplier conversation. If you want a one-page version to keep on your desk, message us and we will email the checklist with the seven fields to verify on each document.
来源：Industry Standard (export documentation practice)
