1. The commercial documents most often legalized
Commercial invoice.
Certificate of origin.
Packing list.
Contract.
Bill of lading, in some markets.
Free sale certificate.
Power of attorney.
2. Why they are requested
The importing authority wants assurance that the documents presented are what they claim to be.
Legalization transfers that assurance from the Chinese authority chain to the destination.
3. Which ones the destination will ask for
Varies by market. In the Gulf and much of Africa, the invoice and certificate of origin are the standard pair.
Some markets also require the packing list, and some require the health or conformity certificate where the goods are regulated.
4. Who produces the document
Invoice, packing list, contract
Produced by the exporter, so a notarisation step is generally needed before authentication.
Certificate of origin
Produced by CCPIT or China Customs. Whether notarisation is needed depends on the receiving authority’s practice.
Free sale certificate
Produced by a regulator or an authorised body, then certified.
5. The consistency requirement
Where the invoice and certificate of origin are legalized together, the embassy will compare them.
Different product descriptions, different quantities, or different consignees are the usual reasons for return.
6. Translation
Arabic for the Gulf and North Africa. French for francophone Africa. Portuguese for Angola and Mozambique.
The translation should be notarised with the document, not added afterwards.
7. The submission mechanics
Some embassies receive documents only on certain days.
Some require submission through a commercial office rather than the consular section.
Some accept submissions only through agents.
8. A working file
For each market, a sheet listing: documents required, translation language, whether they must be submitted together, receiving days, and the agent or channel used.
That sheet eliminates most of the recurring questions.
9. Closing view
The documents are ordinary. What varies is the combination the destination demands and the mechanics of submission.
Both are knowable in advance.
*This article is based on China’s consular authentication regulations, updated October 2026, and embassy practice.*