Shipment of Question Papers, Assessment Materials and Certificates

General information about shipments  

Shipping our assessment materials and certificates to our centres around the world is a complex process and local rules for processing our shipments change from time to time. This can result in additional administrative demands for centres so assessment materials clear the import process without delays, while Cambridge must regularly review its shipping regulations to make sure it is compliant with legal requirements. 

We appreciate your support in making sure you receive your despatches on time. We have outlined some information below that may be helpful when you are receiving our shipments. If you have any concerns or questions about clearing shipments you should contact your local tax authority, or broker/importer. 

Importer of Record 

Your centre is listed as the Importer of Record by Cambridge, as you are receiving our shipments. This may mean that you need to register as an importer locally so that you can work with your courier, importer or broker to make sure the despatches we send to you arrive at your centre and are not delayed. We strongly advise that you contact your local courier, importer or broker as soon as possible to check if you need to register locally. 

Shipment clearance 

If you use a clearance agent or importer or broker to receive some or all shipments, it is your responsibility to settle the relevant charges with your agent or broker.  

Cambridge may pay clearance fees and charges on your behalf to minimise delays on consignments reaching you.  Where this is the case, you will be invoiced by Cambridge for those clearance fees and charges separately.

Digital File Despatch  

We will not upload question papers if your question papers are delayed in customs because you have not put the correct process in place with your courier, importer, or broker. We will ask for evidence of your engagement with, and completion of, all necessary processes in your country before we can upload any question papers to Digital File Despatch. You must contact your local courier, importer, or broker as soon as possible, as outlined above, to make sure that you have the correct processes in place so that our shipments, including question papers, can reach your centre in time for exams.   

Commercial invoices 

We are not able to make amendments to any details, including to valuations and commodity codes, on any commercial invoices. These documents are generated at the time of despatch and must comply with certain regulations on documenting international shipments.  

Returning shipments 

We are not able to provide guidance to individual centres on how to label return shipments. If you have any concerns or issues about sending shipments from your country, you should contact your local couriers.