Customs
Commercial invoice
The seller's bill for the goods, used by customs as the primary evidence of transaction value and shipment details.The commercial invoice states the buyer and seller, description and HS code of the goods, quantity, unit and total price, currency, Incoterm and country of origin, and is the key document for declaring customs value. Customs relies on it to verify the declared value, calculate duty and VAT, and cross-check the goods against the customs declaration.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between a commercial invoice and a proforma invoice?
- A proforma is a preliminary quote before sale; the commercial invoice is the final bill for goods actually shipped and is used for customs.
- Why does customs need the commercial invoice?
- It is the primary proof of the transaction value on which duty and import VAT are assessed and against which the declaration is checked.