Missing one document can cost you weeks of delays. That’s the reality of international hemp freight compliance.

Customs officials won’t release your shipment until every piece of paperwork is perfect. Even a single missing signature causes problems. Therefore, preparation is everything.

At Frosty Club, we’ve cleared thousands of pallets through international customs since 2019. Over those years, we’ve learned exactly what documentation works. We know what triggers red flags. We understand how to prepare shipments that clear in 2 to 3 days consistently.

This checklist comes directly from our warehouse operations, not theory. Use this guide before every international hemp shipment. Print it out. Check each box. Your future self will thank you when your product clears customs without issues.

Pre-Shipment Planning Checklist

Before you even touch documentation, verify these fundamentals. Skipping this step is where most exporters fail.

Know Your Destination Requirements

Different countries maintain wildly different THC thresholds. Switzerland allows 1.0% THC. France requires 0.0%. Germany demands strict invoicing that other countries don’t require.

Therefore, research your specific destination before preparing any shipment. Additionally, import rules change periodically. Always verify current requirements.

For detailed country-by-country requirements, check our comprehensive guide on THC limits for hemp shipping by country.

Required Documentation Checklist

This is where shipments live or die. Every international hemp shipment needs a complete documentation stack. Missing even one item causes delays.

Core Documents Every Shipment Needs

At Frosty Club, we prepare this exact stack for every international shipment. These documents have successfully cleared customs in dozens of countries over five years.

Additional Documents Some Countries Require

Certain destinations require extra documentation beyond the standard stack. Research your specific destination early.

• Phytosanitary Certificate: For agricultural products in certain markets
• Certificate of Origin: Shows where hemp was grown and processed
• Import License: From destination country authorities (varies by country)
• GMP Certificate: For edibles, topicals, or pharmaceutical-grade products

For more information, see the official USDA hemp regulations.

Product Preparation Checklist

How you package and label your hemp products matters as much as documentation. Customs officials inspect physical products regularly. Poor packaging raises suspicions even when documentation is perfect.

Packaging Requirements

Professional packaging demonstrates legitimacy. It also protects product quality during transit.

• Use vacuum-sealed bags for flower to preserve freshness and prevent odor
• Include desiccant packs to control moisture during transit
• Box products securely to prevent shifting and damage
• Use professional packaging that looks legitimate and commercial
• Avoid excessive branding that suggests recreational use

Labeling Best Practices

Labels communicate compliance to customs officials. Therefore, accuracy is critical.

• Use neutral terminology like “hemp extract” instead of “cannabis”
• Avoid words like “marijuana,” “weed,” or “pot” anywhere on packaging
• Include batch numbers that match your COA
• Show delta-9 THC percentage clearly on labels
• List ingredients for edibles and topicals
• Display net weight accurately
• Include manufacturer contact information

For more details on product-specific shipping requirements, see our guide on how to legally ship CBD and THCa products across borders.

Carrier and Broker Selection Checklist

Traditional carriers like UPS no longer ship hemp internationally. Therefore, you need specialized logistics partners.

However, not all freight forwarders understand hemp compliance. Choosing the wrong partner causes expensive delays.

Questions to Ask Potential Freight Forwarders

Interview potential partners carefully. Their experience directly impacts your success.

• How many hemp shipments have you cleared to my destination country?
• What’s your average customs clearance time for hemp products?
• Do you have established relationships with customs brokers who specialize in hemp?
• Can you provide references from current hemp clients?
• What happens if my shipment gets held at customs?
• Do you prepare documentation or do I need to provide everything?

Red Flags to Avoid

Certain warning signs indicate potential problems. Watch for these red flags:

• Freight forwarders who’ve never shipped hemp before
• Brokers who guarantee clearance times under 24 hours (unrealistic)
• Partners who suggest mislabeling products
• Companies without insurance for hemp shipments
• Providers who can’t explain country-specific requirements

Alternatively, work with vertically integrated producers who handle logistics in-house. At Frosty Club, we’ve built these relationships over five years. Our clients never coordinate with multiple vendors. We manage the entire process from our California facility to international delivery.

Final Pre-Shipment Verification Checklist

Run through this list one more time before your shipment leaves. Catching errors now prevents expensive problems later.

Common Hemp Freight Mistakes That Cause Delays

Even experienced exporters make these mistakes. Learn from others’ errors instead of making them yourself.

Expired or Mismatched Documentation

Your COA is from January. However, your license expired in December. Customs notices immediately.

Additionally, batch numbers on your COA don’t match your invoice. Result? Your shipment sits while you scramble to fix paperwork remotely.

Always double-check dates and numbers before shipping.

Incorrect THC Declaration

Some exporters round 0.29% THC down to 0.2% on invoices. Others accidentally list total THC instead of delta-9 THC.

Customs officers view these discrepancies as potential fraud. Therefore, always declare exact numbers from your COA.

Poor Communication with Customs Brokers

Your freight forwarder arranges customs clearance. However, they don’t brief the broker properly. The broker doesn’t understand hemp compliance.

Consequently, they classify your product incorrectly. This triggers inspections and delays clearance by days or weeks.

Inadequate Product Protection

Your flower arrives crushed because boxes weren’t packed properly. Your isolate melted because you didn’t account for temperature changes.

Physical damage creates complications even when documentation is perfect. Invest in proper packaging materials.

How Frosty Club Simplifies Hemp Freight Compliance

This checklist might feel overwhelming. That’s because international hemp logistics is complex. However, it doesn’t have to be your problem.

When you source hemp products directly from Frosty Club, we handle every item on this checklist. We’ve cleared thousands of pallets since 2019 using these exact procedures.

Our in-house logistics team prepares documentation. We coordinate with freight partners. We communicate with customs brokers daily. Most importantly, we’ve made all the mistakes already so you don’t have to.

We know which labels trigger inspections. We understand how to package flower so it survives international transit. We’ve built relationships with customs officials through consistent, compliant shipments.

Whether you need CBD flower, distillate, isolate, kief, or finished products, purchasing from Frosty Club means compliance is built in. Your product ships with complete documentation to any permitted destination. Clearance happens in 2 to 3 days on average.

Skip the Freight Headaches: Source Hemp with Built-In Compliance

You have two options for international hemp freight.

First, you can find a supplier. Then coordinate with freight forwarders. Next, hire customs brokers. After that, prepare all documentation yourself. Finally, hope everything works.

Second, you can source from a vertically integrated producer who handles everything.

At Frosty Club, we grow premium CBD flower, isolate, distillate, kief, and other hemp products on our California farms. When you purchase from us, international logistics is already solved.

Every shipment leaves our facility with complete documentation. Products clear customs efficiently. Our clients in Germany, Switzerland, Czech Republic, and beyond receive consistent quality.

They never touch this checklist. We’ve already completed it thousands of times. That’s the advantage of working with a producer who’s been shipping internationally since 2019.

Request a product quote with international logistics included and experience hassle-free hemp sourcing.

For more context on what changed in the hemp shipping industry, read our article about why UPS stopped international hemp shipments and how we’ve maintained reliable delivery throughout the transition.