Practical Tools
Business

Commercial Invoice Generator for Customs

Exporter / Seller

Your exporter details are saved in your browser automatically.

Consignee / Buyer

Shipment information

Goods / line items

Item 1

Shipping details

Freight and insurance fields appear automatically when using CIF, CFR, CPT, or CIP Incoterms.

Declaration and signature

I hereby certify that the information on this invoice is true, correct and complete, and that the contents and value of this shipment are as stated above.

Every international shipment requires a commercial invoice for customs clearance. This free generator produces a properly structured customs invoice with all the fields that border authorities and freight forwarders expect: HS tariff codes, country of origin per line item, Incoterms, declared value, gross and net weight, and a legal declaration. Exporter details are saved in your browser. Download as PDF or print directly.

No signupRuns in your browserFormula explained belowGeneral information only
This tool generates a commercial invoice for reference. Customs requirements vary by country, commodity, and carrier. Verify the required format and fields with your freight forwarder, customs broker, or carrier before shipping. The declared value must be accurate - under-declaring is a customs offence in most jurisdictions.

How to use this tool

  1. 1Enter your exporter details (business name, address, country, EORI or tax ID if applicable). These are saved for next time.
  2. 2Enter the consignee's full name and delivery address including destination country.
  3. 3Set the invoice number, date, Incoterms (e.g. FOB, CIF, DDP), currency, and reason for export.
  4. 4Add line items: for each product, enter the full description, 6-digit HS tariff code, country of origin, quantity, unit, and unit value.
  5. 5Enter the total number of packages, gross weight, and net weight in kg. Freight and insurance fields appear automatically for CIF, CFR, CPT, or CIP terms.
  6. 6Add the signatory name, title, and date in the Declaration section. Click 'Download PDF' to save or 'Print' to print directly.

Example

UK seller exporting clothing to the USA

Exporter: London Apparel Ltd, UK. Consignee: US buyer in New York. Incoterms: FOB Southampton. Item: Cotton T-shirts, men's, HS code 6109.10, Origin: Bangladesh, 500 pcs at USD 8.00 each. Total declared value: USD 4,000. Gross weight: 62 kg.

Thai manufacturer sending electronics samples to Germany

Exporter: Thai Electronics Co Ltd, Bangkok. Consignee: German distributor. Incoterms: DDP Frankfurt. Reason: Sample - no commercial value. Item: PCB modules, HS 8534.00, Origin: Thailand, 10 pcs at EUR 0.00. Declared value: EUR 0.00.

Common use cases

  • eBay, Etsy, and Amazon sellers shipping products internationally who need a compliant customs document
  • Small manufacturers and exporters creating their own customs invoice without a freight forwarder
  • Importers completing the customs invoice on behalf of their overseas supplier
  • Businesses shipping samples, gifts, or warranty replacements internationally
  • Sole traders and freelancers sending physical goods (equipment, merchandise) across borders
  • Anyone who needs to declare a shipment value to customs honestly and accurately

Common mistakes

  • Using a standard business invoice instead of a commercial invoice - customs authorities require specific fields (HS code, country of origin, declared value) that a regular invoice does not contain.
  • Under-declaring the customs value to reduce import duty - this is a customs offence in virtually every country and can result in confiscation, fines, and delays.
  • Leaving the HS tariff code blank or using a rough estimate - an incorrect HS code can cause delays, incorrect duty rates, or seizure at customs. Use the official WCO tariff database or your customs broker to confirm the correct code.
  • Entering the wrong Incoterms - the Incoterm determines who pays freight and insurance and at what point risk transfers. Using CIF when the buyer pays freight will cause the declared value to be wrong.
  • Not including the country of origin for each line item - most countries require country of origin to apply trade preferences or tariff rates. Leaving it blank can cause holds at customs.

Frequently asked questions

What is a commercial invoice for customs?

A commercial invoice for customs (also called an export invoice or customs invoice) is a document required by customs authorities for all international commercial shipments. It declares the nature, quantity, value, origin, and destination of the goods. It is used to assess import duties and VAT, verify the shipment contents, and apply any trade agreements or restrictions.

Is this the same as a regular business invoice?

No. A commercial invoice for customs includes additional mandatory fields that a standard invoice does not: HS tariff codes, country of origin for each product, Incoterms, declared value for customs, gross and net weight, number of packages, and a signed declaration of accuracy. Using a regular invoice for customs clearance will likely cause delays.

What is an HS code and where do I find mine?

An HS code (Harmonised System code) is a 6-digit number that classifies goods for customs. Every product has an HS code defined by the World Customs Organization. You can find yours on the WCO website, your country's official tariff schedule, or by asking your freight forwarder. Using an incorrect code can result in wrong duty rates or customs delays.

What is country of origin?

Country of origin is where the goods were manufactured or substantially transformed - not where they were shipped from. A product made in China but shipped from Hong Kong has China as the country of origin. This matters because import duty rates and trade restrictions are applied based on origin, not shipping country.

Which Incoterm should I use?

The most common terms for small exporters are FOB (you cover costs to the port, buyer pays freight from there) and DDP (you cover all costs including import duty at the destination, simpler for the buyer but more expensive for you). For air freight, DAP is common. Confirm with your buyer what they expect - it affects who pays freight and insurance.

Are my files or data uploaded anywhere?

No. All processing runs in your browser. Your invoice data is never sent to any server. PDF generation uses the html2canvas and jsPDF libraries running locally. Your exporter details are saved in your browser's local storage for convenience.

Does this comply with customs requirements in my country?

This tool generates a standard commercial invoice structure that covers the fields required by most major customs authorities. However, requirements vary by country, commodity type, and carrier. Always verify with your customs broker or freight forwarder before shipping, especially for controlled goods, agricultural products, or restricted items.

What is the declared value and must it match my sale price?

The declared value is the actual transaction value of the goods - what the buyer paid or what the goods are worth. It must be accurate and honest. For gifts or samples with no commercial value, enter the fair market replacement value. Deliberately under-declaring to reduce duties is customs fraud and a criminal offence in most jurisdictions.

Related tools

Last updated