What Is a Commercial Invoice? (With Annotated Example)
A commercial invoice is the customs declaration that travels with an international shipment — it tells border officials what's in the box, what it's worth, and who's involved. No commercial invoice, no clearance.
When you need one
Every cross-border shipment of goods with commercial value — courier (FedEx, UPS, DHL), air freight, or sea. Documents-only envelopes are usually exempt; everything else needs the invoice, typically in triplicate with the package and one copy transmitted electronically by the carrier.
The example, annotated
Shipper and consignee blocks with full addresses and phone numbers; invoice number and date; per-line descriptions specific enough for a stranger ('wireless routers, HS 8517.62, 200 units @ $42') — never 'electronics'; currency-stated totals; country of origin (where goods were MADE); Incoterm with named place; signature. Miss origin or lowball values and the shipment sits while customs asks questions.
Commercial invoice vs your accounting invoice
Different documents with different jobs: your sales invoice requests payment; the commercial invoice declares goods to customs. Values must be truthful market values even for samples and gifts ('value for customs purposes only'). Generate the customs version here in the layout brokers expect — completed, printable, in minutes.
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