What is the difference between a document and non-document (product) shipment?

A document shipment includes paper of little or no commercial value and usually doesn’t require a commercial invoice. Business correspondence is a good example of a document shipment. In general, printed forms and paper may be classified as documents.

A non-document or product shipment defines all other shipments of value and they generally require a commercial invoice. Clothing, sports equipment and automobile parts are examples of non-document and product shipments.