Free Template

Commercial Invoice Template

A commercial invoice template is the customs document that travels with an international shipment, and it is not the same as a sales invoice. This one carries the fields customs actually checks — HS code, country of origin, Incoterms and declared value — and downloads as a PDF in about 60 seconds.

Typical line items

Fields you'll usually include on this invoice:

  • Shipper and consignee, with full addresses and tax or EIN numbers
  • A description of each item specific enough for customs to classify it
  • HS (Harmonised System) commodity code per line
  • Country of origin — where it was made, not where it shipped from
  • Quantity, unit value and total value per line, in the currency of sale
  • Incoterms, stating who pays duty and freight
  • Reason for export: sale, sample, repair, gift or return

Invoicing Tips

  • Country of origin means where the goods were manufactured. Shipping from a warehouse in another country does not change it, and getting this wrong is a common cause of holds
  • Describe goods concretely. Parts or samples will be queried; steel bracket, 12mm, for industrial shelving will not
  • State the Incoterm explicitly (DAP, DDP, EXW). It decides who is billed for duty, and an unstated term means a surprise invoice for somebody
  • Declare the real transaction value. Under-declaring to reduce duty is customs fraud, not a saving
  • Samples with no commercial value still need a value for customs — state a nominal value and mark it as a sample

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Sending a normal sales invoice and expecting it to clear customs
  • Listing country of origin as the country the parcel was posted from
  • Omitting HS codes and leaving classification to the carrier
  • Vague descriptions that trigger a manual inspection and days of delay

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a commercial invoice?

A commercial invoice is the customs declaration that accompanies an international shipment. It tells customs what the goods are, what they are worth, where they were made and who is responsible for duty. It is a shipping document, not a request for payment.

Is a commercial invoice the same as a regular invoice?

No. A sales invoice asks your customer for money. A commercial invoice tells a government what is crossing its border. A commercial invoice carries HS codes, country of origin and Incoterms, none of which appear on a sales invoice.

Do I need a commercial invoice for a sample or a gift?

Yes, for almost any international shipment of goods. Samples and gifts still need a declared value for customs purposes — state a realistic nominal value and mark the reason for export, rather than writing no value.

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