Title
Recommendation No. 14 Authentication of Trade Documents (UNECE and UN/CEFACT)
Dates of the instrument
Signature: --
Entry into force*: --
Summary
The UN/CEFACT Recommendation No. 14 on Authentication of Trade Documents aims to promote electronic data transfer in international trade through two main approaches: encouraging governments to review signature requirements on trade documents, and urging the trading community to examine business processes for signature elimination opportunities.
Relevant document(s)
Geographical coverage
Global
Legal nature
Recommendations/guidelines
Trade processes
Commercial Processes
Transport Processes
Border and Regulatory Processes
Financial Processes
Trade documents
Commercial Invoice (INV)
Shipper’s Letter of Instructions (SLI)
Bill of Lading (BoL)
Sea Waybill (SW)
Air Waybill (AW)
Export/Import License for agricultural products (EIL)
Preferential Certificate of Origin (PCoO)
Customs Declaration (CD)
CITES Permit/Certificate (CPC)
Letter of Credit (LC)
Bill of Exchange (BoE)
Contact point
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT)
unece_info@un.org
Contact point
* For a model law – entry into force of the law enacting a model law; for a treaty–entry into force
Last Update: 4 December 2025