Commercial Invoice Template
A commercial invoice is the customs document that clears goods across borders — and missing fields cause costly delays. This template captures exporter and importer, itemized goods with HS codes and country of origin, declared value, Incoterms and currency, so shipments clear customs smoothly.
Last reviewed 2026-07-08
Template preview
- Exporter / shipper:
- Your Company · Tax/EORI: ...· country
- Importer / consignee:
- Buyer Name · address · country
- Invoice # / date:
- CI-2026-044 · 2026-07-08
- Incoterms:
- DAP · Currency: USD
- Country of origin:
- United States
| Description (HS code) | Qty | Unit value | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum brackets (HS 7616.99) | 500 | $4.00 | $2,000.00 |
| Steel fasteners (HS 7318.15) | 1000 | $0.50 | $500.00 |
| Total value (goods) | $2,500.00 | ||
| Freight | $180.00 | ||
| Total invoice value | $2,680.00 | ||
How to fill in each field
Exporter & importer
Full details for both parties, including tax/EORI IDs and countries.
Common mistake: Incomplete party details, a common customs hold-up.
HS codes & origin
Give each item's HS commodity code and country of origin.
Common mistake: Missing HS codes or origin, causing customs delays or wrong duty.
Incoterms & currency
State the Incoterms (who pays freight/duty) and the currency.
Common mistake: No Incoterms, leaving liability for shipping/duty unclear.
Declared value
Declare an accurate value per item and in total for duty assessment.
Common mistake: Under/over-declaring value, which is a legal and customs risk.
Related templates & variants
A commercial invoice is for customs on real shipments. Before a sale is confirmed, a proforma invoice is used; for domestic billing use the standard invoice.
Download a professional invoice template in Word, Excel, CSV or Google Docs.
A proforma invoice template — a preliminary bill sent before the sale to confirm price, quantity and terms.
A free packing slip template listing the contents of a shipment — items, quantities and order reference, no prices. Download in Word or Excel with a guide.
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Frequently asked questions
What must a commercial invoice include for customs?+
Exporter and importer details, invoice number and date, itemized goods with HS codes and country of origin, quantities and declared values, currency, Incoterms, and freight/total value. Requirements vary by destination.
What is the difference between a commercial invoice and a proforma invoice?+
A proforma is a preliminary quote before the sale; a commercial invoice is the definitive document for an actual shipment used to clear customs and request payment.
Do I need HS codes on a commercial invoice?+
Yes for international shipments — HS (Harmonized System) codes classify goods for customs and determine duty. Missing or wrong codes cause delays and incorrect charges.
Sources & further reading
- How to prepare a commercial invoice (DHL)— dhl.com
- 10 items that belong on your commercial invoices (Shipping Solutions)— shippingsolutionssoftware.com
We review authoritative guidance when building each template. Links are for reference only.