What is commercial invoice?
The Commercial Invoice Form is prepared by the shipper for all shipments containing non-documents goods to prove ownership, valuation, duty determination and arrange for payment.
When does commercial invoice need?
All international non-document shipments need commercial invoice by foreign customs for import control, valuation and duty determinations.
Content needed for the commercial invoice form
the commercial invoice should includes:
• Name and address information for both shipper and consignee
• Phone numbers for both shipper and consignee
• Terms of Sale (Incoterm) • Reason for export
• A description of the commodity/goods
• Harmonized Tariff Codes (H.S. Code), if known
• Country of origin (where manufactured) for each commodity
• Number of units, measurement of unit, unit value(purchase price) of each item
• Total weight
• Shipper’s signature and date
H.S. Code
An HS code or HTS code stands for Harmonized System or Harmonized Tariff Schedule. Developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO), the codes are used to classify and define internationally traded goods.
In most cases, in order to import or export a product internationally, the traded good should be assigned an HTS code that corresponds with the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the country of import. Providing the corresponding H.S. code can help to accelerate the customs processing speed.
Frequently asked questions
What is a commercial invoice?
A form prepared by the shipper for all shipments containing non-document goods, used to prove ownership and valuation, determine duties and arrange payment.
When is a commercial invoice needed?
All international non-document shipments need one, so foreign customs can handle import control, valuation and duty determination.
What information must a commercial invoice include?
Name, address and phone number for both shipper and consignee; terms of sale (Incoterm); reason for export; a description of the goods; Harmonized Tariff (HS) codes if known; country of origin for each commodity; number of units, unit of measurement and unit value for each item; total weight; and the shipper's signature and date.
What is an HS code and why does it matter?
HS stands for Harmonized System. Developed by the World Customs Organization, the codes classify internationally traded goods. In most cases a traded product should be assigned the code that matches the importing country's Harmonized Tariff Schedule, and providing it can speed up customs processing.