GlossaryCustoms and trade
Commercial invoice
The main customs document for an international shipment, listing what is shipped, its value, origin and the parties involved.
A commercial invoice is the document customs authorities use to assess an international shipment. It lists the shipper and recipient, a clear description of each item, quantities, unit and total values, currency, HS or HTS codes, country of origin, and the terms of sale.
Customs uses the invoice to classify the goods, calculate duties and taxes, and check for restricted items. Vague descriptions such as "gift" or "parts", or values that do not match the sale, are common causes of delays and inspections.
For parcels, carriers usually collect the same data electronically and print or transmit the invoice with the label. ExperShip creates customs documents alongside shipping labels.
Learn more in our Cross-border shipping articles.
Buy, print and track shipping labels and customs documents across carriers from one place.