How To
How to Create a Commercial Invoice for International Shipping
Before you send a commercial invoice with a real shipment, these are the fields people most often get wrong. Use this as a pre-send checklist — or open the generator and fill it in directly.
1. Verify sender and recipient details match your order records
Confirm the names and addresses of the sender and the buyer, consignee, or recipient against the actual order. Wrong addresses and misspelled company names are the most common reason a commercial invoice gets sent back.
2. Check the invoice reference, date, and currency
The invoice number, date, and currency must match your internal order reference. Mismatched numbers or the wrong currency are easy to miss in preview and catch problems only after the document has been shared.
3. Confirm each line item — description, quantity, and declared value
Each line item must have an accurate description, the correct quantity, and the declared value that matches your sale. If the shipment needs country-of-origin or tariff codes, verify those against your shipment instructions before you generate the draft.
4. Preview and spot-check before you download
The generator’s preview shows exactly what will be in the PDF. Check that the document total is correct, the parties are in the right positions (sender on the left, recipient on the right), and the dates are formatted as expected by your carrier. Download only when the preview matches your records.
5. Check whether a packing list is also needed
Many international shipments need both a commercial invoice and a packing list. If your carrier, broker, or warehouse is asking for a contents breakdown alongside the declared value, generate a packing list from the same shipment details. See commercial invoice vs packing list to decide.
One thing to keep in mind
This checklist covers practical preparation steps for a commercial invoice. It is not legal, tax, customs, or compliance advice. Acceptance requirements differ by country, carrier, and product — verify your specific requirements before you use the document.