Commercial Invoice Generator
The primary customs valuation document: what was sold, to whom, on what terms, and for how much.
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| Item # | Description | HS Code | Qty | Unit | Unit Price (USD) | Amount (USD) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
We hereby certify that this invoice is true and correct, that the goods described are of origin, and that the prices stated are the actual prices paid or payable.
About this document
The commercial invoice is the document customs uses to decide what your shipment is worth, and therefore what duty is owed on it. It is not the same as your accounting invoice: it has to name the buyer and seller, describe the goods well enough to classify them, state the Incoterm and the place it applies to, and give a country of origin. Get any of those wrong and the shipment is held while a broker asks you to reissue it.
What customs actually checks
Three things, in practice. First, that the value is credible for the goods described. A container of 'machine parts' worth $400 invites a valuation query. Second, that the Incoterm matches the freight and insurance treatment: quoting FOB and then adding a freight line to the invoice total is a common and expensive contradiction. Third, that the description supports the HS code. 'Assorted goods' is not a description. 'Stainless steel single-handle kitchen faucets, brushed nickel' is.
Commercial invoice vs proforma invoice
A proforma invoice is issued before the sale is final. The buyer uses it to open a letter of credit, apply for an import licence, or get internal approval. A commercial invoice is issued once the goods ship and is a demand for payment. Customs will accept a proforma for some purposes but will want the commercial invoice for clearance. The two normally carry the same goods and values. If they diverge, expect questions.
Commercial invoice vs packing list
The commercial invoice covers money: unit prices, totals, terms of payment. The packing list covers physical reality: how many cartons, what each weighs, what is in which container. Customs reads them together, and the two must agree on quantities. A shipment that invoices 500 pieces and packs 480 will be stopped.
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Keep building your document set
- Commercial InvoiceGoods, values and payment details.
- Packing List — DetailedPackages, weights and dimensions.
- Certificate of OriginThe declared origin of your goods.
- Bill of LadingShipper, consignee and cargo details.
- Shipper's Letter of InstructionInstructions for your freight forwarder.
- Verified Gross Mass DeclarationThe verified weight of a packed container.
Questions
+Is a commercial invoice required for every international shipment?
For commercial goods, effectively yes. Every customs authority needs a declared value to assess duty against, and the commercial invoice is where that value comes from. Genuine gifts, samples of no commercial value, and documents may be exempt, but the exemptions are narrower than people assume. A 'free sample' still usually needs an invoice showing a nominal value for customs purposes.
+Does a commercial invoice need to be signed?
Many countries no longer require a wet signature, but several still do, and some letters of credit require one regardless of what customs wants. Signing costs nothing and removes a class of rejection, so sign it unless you have a reason not to.
+What Incoterm should I put on a commercial invoice?
Whichever one you actually agreed with the buyer, followed by the named place. Write 'FOB Yantian', not just 'FOB'. The Incoterm determines who pays freight and insurance and where risk transfers, so it also determines whether those costs belong inside your invoice value. An Incoterm without a named place is incomplete.
+Do I need HS codes on a commercial invoice?
They are not universally mandatory but they are strongly advisable, and some destinations require them. The HS code is what the duty rate hangs off. Supplying it yourself means your broker classifies the goods the way you intended rather than guessing from a terse description.
+What currency should the invoice be in?
The currency of the contract. Customs will convert to local currency at an official rate on the date of entry, so you do not need to pre-convert. What matters is that the currency is stated explicitly. An invoice showing '$' without saying which dollar is ambiguous.