324 SELLING LATIN AMERICA 
ment states briefly the contents of the invoice, 
its weight, and value, from whom and for 
whom intended. This paper must be made 
out before the consul or vice-consul of the 
country to which the goods are to be exported, 
the idea being to keep track of the business be 
tween the nations. This document should al 
ways be in the language of the country for 
which the shipment is intended, although all 
the consuls do not require this condition to be 
rigidly complied with. They must be taken 
to the office of the consul or vice-consul em 
powered to issue and sign them and as a rule 
he requires one or more copies for his files and 
for forwarding to his government, or to the 
customs authorities at the port to which the 
goods are going. For this service he charges 
a fee, generally specified by law. Great care 
should be exercised in the preparation of these 
papers, as before intimated. The importer 
generally states just how he wishes his goods 
declared in these documents and it is best to 
follow his commands instead of those which 
may be issued or suggested by some of the em