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How to make a commercial invoice in 3 steps

1. 1

   Add the shipper and the consignee

   You are the shipper (exporter). The consignee is who receives the goods. Include phone numbers, full addresses with the country, and tax or EORI numbers if you have them.

2. 2

   Describe the shipment and the goods

   Country of origin and destination, reason for export, Incoterms, carrier, packages and weights. Then each item: a clear description, HS code, quantity and value. The totals are worked out for you.

3. 3

   Sign, print and attach

   Sign the declaration, print three copies, put one in a document pouch on the box and give the others to the carrier as asked.

What a commercial invoice should include

• The shipper (exporter) and the consignee, with full addresses, phone numbers and tax or EORI numbers
• The buyer, if it is not the consignee
• Invoice number and date, and any order or PO number
• Country of origin and country of destination
• Reason for export (sale, gift, sample, return, repair) and the terms of sale (Incoterms)
• A clear description of each item, with its HS code, quantity, unit value and total value
• The currency, and any freight, insurance or other charges
• Number of packages, net and gross weight, and the carrier and tracking number
• A signed declaration that the information is true

Describing the goods and HS codes

Customs officers need to know exactly what is in the box. Say what each item is, what it is made of and what it is for: “Women’s knitted sweaters, 100% cotton”, not “clothing” or “gift”.

The HS (Harmonized System) code classifies the goods. The first 6 digits are the same in most countries; each country adds its own digits. US exporters can look up Schedule B numbers from the Census Bureau, US importers use the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, and UK traders use the UK Trade Tariff.

Give a value even for gifts, samples and returns: what the goods would sell for, in the currency shown. A shipment marked “no commercial value” with no value at all is often held.

Customs rules (US and UK)

Goods imported into the US: the invoice must show, among other things, the time, place and parties to the sale, a detailed description of each item, the quantities, the purchase price of each item and the currency, all charges such as freight, insurance and packing listed by name and amount, and the country of origin (19 CFR 141.86(a)). It must be in English or come with an English translation, and say what is in each package (141.86(d), (e)).

Exports from the US: for items on the Commerce Control List (not items classed EAR99, or shipped under License Exception BAG or GFT), the exporter must put the destination control statement on the commercial invoice (15 CFR 758.6). Tick it in the form to print the statement word for word.

US exporters also file Electronic Export Information (EEI) in the Automated Export System for many shipments. One common exemption is when the goods under each Schedule B number, to one consignee, are worth $2,500 or less (15 CFR 30.37(a)), but shipments that need an export license must be filed whatever their value (15 CFR 30.2(a)(1)(iv)).

The UK government’s guide lists much the same for an export invoice: invoice number and date, seller and buyer, the consignee, related order numbers, prices, currency and payment terms, quantities, weights and packages, HS codes with a plain description, Incoterms, package marks, the country of origin, transport details and the total value, plus charges such as freight and insurance.

Carriers (UPS, FedEx, DHL, postal services) have their own forms and rules too, and postal services often use a customs declaration (CN22 or CN23) instead. Check with your carrier.

Checked in October 2026. This page is general information, not legal or customs advice. Rules differ from country to country and change over time; your carrier or a customs broker can tell you what your shipment needs.

• 19 CFR 141.86: contents of invoices (eCFR)
• 15 CFR 758.6: destination control statement (eCFR)
• 15 CFR 30.37: exemptions from filing Electronic Export Information (eCFR)
• Schedule B export codes (US Census Bureau)
• Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (US International Trade Commission)
• UK Trade Tariff: look up commodity codes (GOV.UK)
• How to create an export invoice (UK government, business.gov.uk)