FreightStow
[01]New and Unused Declaration

New and Unused Declaration Template

A new and unused declaration confirms that the goods have never been used. Many countries restrict or ban imports of second-hand goods, and letters of credit frequently require the statement as a condition of payment — so the document is often less about customs than about the bank releasing funds.

[02]The blank template
NEW AND UNUSED DECLARATION
Declaration No.
Date
PO Reference
Shipper / Exporter
Consignee
Invoice No.
B/L / AWB No.
Container No.
Description of Goods
Declaration

We, , hereby declare that the goods described above, shipped under invoice , are new and unused. The goods have not been previously sold, operated, refurbished, reconditioned or used for any purpose, and are supplied in their original manufactured condition.

Signature of declarant
Same trade, next document

Your entries are kept as you move between documents — the parties, ports, container and line items carry across.

[03]About this document

Why importing countries care

Restrictions on used goods protect domestic industry and keep out equipment that would fail current safety standards. Some countries ban second-hand machinery, vehicles or clothing entirely; others allow it under permit or at a higher duty rate. Because the rules differ so widely, the declaration is generally requested by the importer, who knows what their authority will accept.

The letter of credit case

Where payment runs through a letter of credit, the credit lists the documents the bank will accept. If it names a new and unused declaration, the bank checks it exists and matches the other documents — and a discrepancy means non-payment until it is corrected, regardless of whether the goods themselves are fine. Read the credit terms and match the wording exactly.

Refurbished is not new

Reconditioned, remanufactured and ex-demonstration goods are not new, and declaring them as such is a false statement. Where you are shipping refurbished equipment, say so and check whether the destination permits it — some countries do, under a different procedure. Getting this wrong is treated as misdeclaration rather than as an error.

Prefer to fill it in on screen? Use the new and unused declaration generator →

[04]Who uses this

Exporters

Issue the invoice, packing list and origin paperwork for a shipment in one sitting, without re-keying the consignee address four times.

Freight forwarders

Produce a clean set of documents for a client who sent you a spreadsheet, and hand back PDFs that a customs broker will accept.

Customs brokers

Rebuild a missing or unusable document from the particulars you already hold, without waiting on the shipper's software licence.

[05]How this compares

One shipment in, every document out

FreightStowTypical alternative
Enter the shipment once, every document fills inYesRe-key per document
Document types33Varies
Statutory forms (CMR, ISF, USMCA origin)IncludedOften missing
Add, rename or remove line-item columnsYesFixed templates
PDF built in your browserYesUpload, then download
Works before you create an accountYesUsually not

The right-hand column describes the general pattern in this category, not one named vendor. Features and plans change — check any provider’s current terms before deciding.

[06]All 33 export documents

Commercial documents · 12

Declarations & instructions · 10

Statutory & customs forms · 11

[07]Questions
+When is this declaration required?

Most often when the destination restricts used goods, or when a letter of credit lists it as a required document. Machinery, vehicles, medical equipment and clothing are the categories where it comes up most.

+Does it cover packaging as well as goods?

Normally it refers to the goods themselves. Where used packaging or pallets are a concern, that is usually handled by a separate packing declaration covering timber treatment.

+What if some items are new and some are not?

Do not issue a blanket declaration. Either split the shipment, or state clearly which line items the declaration covers. A declaration that is true of most of a consignment is false of the consignment.

+Who signs it?

The exporter or manufacturer, by someone authorised to make the statement on the company's behalf. Where a letter of credit specifies who must sign or in what form, follow that exactly, since the bank checks form as well as content.

Judge it by the document, not the feature list.

The generator on this page is the product, prefilled and editable. Fill it in and download the finished PDF — then decide.

Create a new and unused declaration