Customs Export Declaration means Customs form completed and submitted by an exporter at the port of export, it is meant to serve two major purposes: (1) to provide information on amount, nature, and value of exports to the statistical office for compilation of foreign trade data, and (2) to serves as an export control document. In some cases, an export license and/or a certificate of origin is also required to be attached.

The exporter normally must sign an authorization paper (the power of attorney) allowing the customs broker or the forwarder to handle the customs declaration.

In certain countries, exporters may prepare the customs declaration forms by themselves and let the customs broker handle the rest of the customs formalities.