First, a Commercial Invoice document is an important trade document used in Global Trade. When products ship internationally, the shipper will have to provide the buyer with a Commercial Invoice document. The buyer (importer) will use this invoice and other shipping documents to get the products cleared through customs in the country of import. In doing so, this provides all important information and instructions for buyers, freight forwarders, Customs, agents and banks (if required).
The International Commercial Invoice generally does not show tax, as International transactions for export may not be subject to local taxes. Therefore, the exporter must ensure that all information is clearly stated in a correctly formatted document to avoid the importer having any issues or delays clearing the goods through customs.
Commercial invoices must be provided for all seafreight and airfreight shipments. For example, if you are sending airfreight shipments with FedEx or DHL you will have to provide a FedEx commercial invoice or DHL commercial invoice.
Some Exporters create shipping documents in broken Microsoft Word templates or Excel templates. If these templates are missing vital information it can cause confusion to buyers and freight forwarders, or can result in costly shipping delays, fines and demurrage charges.
Shippers use IncoDocs to easily create Commercial Invoices, Packing Lists and other important shipping documents. In addition, all templates are aligned to the United Nations Layout Key recommendations for trade documentation. This ensures compliance to avoid problems and delays with trade shipments.