A commercial invoice is the document customs authorities use to value and classify an international shipment — every cross-border parcel beyond documents needs one. This template produces a clean, itemized commercial invoice PDF that couriers and freight forwarders will accept.
What makes it “commercial” is the extra data per line: a full goods description, the HS (harmonized system) code, the country of origin, and the shipment’s Incoterm. The prefilled lines show where each piece belongs — keep that structure and customs queries drop dramatically.
What customs actually checks
Four things: description specific enough to classify (“men’s cotton t-shirts” not “apparel”), the HS code, the declared value per line, and origin. Undervaluing to save the buyer duty is the classic mistake — seizures and penalties fall on the shipper, and couriers cross-check declared values against insurance amounts.
State the Incoterm (EXW, FOB, CIF…) because it tells customs which costs are inside your prices. Under CIF your item prices include freight and insurance to the destination port; under EXW they include nothing beyond your door — the same goods can carry different declared totals correctly.
Commercial vs proforma invoice in export
The proforma quotes the shipment before it happens (and is what buyers pay advances against); the commercial invoice travels with the goods and is what customs clears against. Keep descriptions, quantities and values identical between the two — banks and customs both flag discrepancies.
Print three copies for shipments by freight: one in the document pouch, one with the bill of lading set, one for your records. For courier shipments, upload the PDF when you create the label and tape one copy to the box.
Download this document in an editable format
Use the generator above, then choose Word or Excel in the download menu. The file is created locally from the current document.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a commercial invoice for every international shipment?
For goods, effectively yes — couriers will not move a dutiable parcel without one. Documents and some low-value personal shipments are exempt depending on destination rules.
Where do I find HS codes for my products?
Your national tariff database (e.g. the WCO-based schedules published by your customs authority) or your freight forwarder. The first six digits are international; use the destination’s full code when you know it.
What value do I declare for free replacements or samples?
Declare the true market value and note “No commercial value — replacement/sample, value for customs purposes only”. Declaring $0 is not accepted; customs requires a realistic valuation even when no payment occurs.
Does the commercial invoice replace my tax invoice?
No — it serves customs. You still issue your normal invoice for payment and accounting. Many exporters generate both from the same line items; History here makes that a one-minute duplicate.