Commercial Invoice

What Is a Commercial Invoice?

A commercial invoice is a legal document issued by the seller to the buyer that itemizes the goods being shipped, their value, and the terms of sale, used by customs authorities to assess duties and taxes on an international shipment.

What a Commercial Invoice Includes

• Seller and buyer details
• Description of goods, quantity, and unit/total value
• HS code classification
• Country of origin
• Incoterms and payment terms
• Invoice number and date

How a Commercial Invoice Is Used

Customs authorities use the declared value and product description on the commercial invoice to calculate applicable duties and taxes, and to verify the shipment matches what's declared elsewhere (like the bill of lading or packing list). Discrepancies between the commercial invoice and other shipping documents are a common trigger for customs holds and inspections.

Why the Commercial Invoice Matters

An inaccurate or incomplete commercial invoice is one of the most common causes of customs clearance delays, since it's the primary document customs uses to assess value and classification. Getting the details right and consistent across all shipping documents is one of the simplest ways to avoid avoidable customs holdups.