What is a commercial invoice?

A commercial invoice is a document that serves as evidence of a transaction between a buyer and a seller. It includes details about the goods or services purchased, such as the quantity, price, and terms of the sale. This important document is used for customs clearance and serves as a basis for calculating import duties and taxes.

What are the types of a commercial invoice?

There are two main types of commercial invoices:

Proforma Invoice: This type of invoice is used to provide a price quote or estimate to the buyer before the actual transaction takes place. It outlines the details of the goods or services, including their description, quantity, and price. Proforma invoices are often used for preliminary negotiations or for customs purposes.
Final Invoice: This is the actual invoice issued by the seller after the goods or services have been provided to the buyer. It includes all the relevant information for the completed transaction, such as the final price, payment terms, and any applicable taxes.

How to complete a commercial invoice

Completing a commercial invoice accurately is crucial for smooth customs clearance and ensuring timely payment. Here are the steps to follow:

01
Include the seller's and buyer's contact information, including names, addresses, and contact numbers.
02
Provide a description of the goods or services being sold. Be as detailed as possible.
03
Include the quantity, unit price, and total value of each item.
04
Specify the terms of sale, including the payment method and any applicable discounts or fees.
05
Clearly indicate the currency used in the transaction.
06
Include any additional charges, such as shipping or insurance fees.
07
Provide the total value of the invoice, including all costs.
08
Sign and date the invoice to authenticate it.

pdfFiller empowers users to create, edit, and share documents online. Offering unlimited fillable templates and powerful editing tools, pdfFiller is the only PDF editor users need to get their documents done.

Video Tutorial How to Fill Out what is a commercial invoice

Thousands of positive reviews can’t be wrong

Read more or give pdfFiller a try to experience the benefits for yourself
5.0
Very helpful!
Very helpful!! Having this product on my day by day is being great. I convert a lot of documents from pdf to Word to review and compare documents. This make my work easier. Convert documents from pdf to word, very easy!! I would love to compare documents directly in the program, and not have to convert it to Word before it.
Maria M.
4.0
Decent, though the affiliated linked program options which supposedly come with...
Decent, though the affiliated linked program options which supposedly come with the upgrade purchase don't seem to work / or be actually as advertised.
Jonathan W.
4.0
The only issue I had was I had to complete it all in one sitting.
The only issue I had was I had to complete it all in one sitting. Even though I paid for the sertvice it wouldn't let me save it. I started the document 3 times and lost all previous info the first two times.
Gina M H

Questions & answers

Writing a digital invoice Your name or company name. Your contact information. Your customer's company name and address. The date the goods or services were provided. The date of the invoice. A breakdown of costs that show prices, hours, or quantities of the goods and services delivered. A subtotal of net costs. Any discounts.
Commercial Invoice Requirements Company name. Company address and phone number. “Commercial Invoice” to identify the document. Seller or Exporter's name and address. Buyer or Importer's (Sold To Company) name and address. Consignee's (Ship To Company) name and address. Supplier's invoice number. Invoice date.
How to create an invoice: step-by-step Make your invoice look professional. The first step is to put your invoice together. Clearly mark your invoice. Add company name and information. Write a description of the goods or services you're charging for. Don't forget the dates. Add up the money owed. Mention payment terms.
An invoice is an itemized list that records the products or services you provided to your customers, the total amount due, and a method for them to pay you for those items or services. You can send electronic invoices or paper invoices. Invoices can be paid in one payment or in installments.
With QuickBooks, you can easily create and send commercial invoices to your customers electronically. Once you generate a commercial invoice online, you can send its printed and physically signed copies along with your shipment. Furthermore, QuickBooks Online allows you to automate your invoicing process.
How to create an invoice: A step-by-step guide Brand your invoice. Add a professional header. Include invoice information. Include the dates. Description of goods/services delivered. Include tax details and highlight the total money owed. Include payment terms. Add explanatory notes with terms and conditions.