A commercial invoice is what customs officials actually look at. This free template covers the essentials — detailed goods descriptions, HS codes, country of origin, Incoterms and currency of settlement — and you can fill it in online and download the PDF in minutes.
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It's the document customs authorities in the importing country use to assess duties and taxes. Unlike a normal invoice, it focuses on the shipment: precise goods descriptions, HS tariff codes, quantity, unit value, country of origin, and the Incoterms rule that defines who pays for freight and insurance.
A regular invoice requests payment between you and your client. A commercial invoice travels with the shipment and is addressed, in effect, to customs: it must state the harmonized commodity codes, the value for customs purposes, and the terms of trade. Many exporters include both in the same document pack.
Seller and buyer with full addresses, invoice number and date, a precise description of each item with HS codes and country of origin, quantities, unit values and total value in the agreed currency, the number of packages, the Incoterms rule (e.g. FOB, CIF, DAP), payment terms, and the reason for export.