Printable Version Commercial Invoice - A Quick Checklist

Putting correct and detailed information on the Commercial Invoice is a major factor in guaranteeing rapid and precise customs clearance. Providing incorrect information may result in customs delays, incorrect calculation of the duties/taxes to be paid, as well as possible fines and penalties.

Here is a FedEx Quick-Check Reference Card on the mandatory information to include on your Commercial Invoice:

• International Air Waybill number
  
  
• Complete information on the shipper (contact name, address, telephone number)
  
  
• Complete information on the recipient (contact name, address, postal code, telephone number)
  
  
• Country of origin of goods for each commodity
  
  o The country of origin is the country in which the goods were produced, not the country of export.
  
  o If the goods were produced in only one country, it is sufficient to state on the invoice: ‘Made in xxxxx.’
  
  o If the products were made in more than one country, each country of origin must be specified next to the corresponding product.
  
  o ‘EU’ (European Union) is insufficient for some destination customs. Specify the country, i.e. ‘Made in France.’
  
  o The country of origin can impact upon the duty rate on imported goods and whether the goods are subject to a duty reduction, ban or sanction.
  
  
• Give a complete description. Generic descriptions are insufficient. You need to indicate what it is, what it is made of, how many/how much, and how it will be used
  
  
• Give the description in English as well (it’s the global language of business, and is required by many carrier and regulatory organizations)
  
  
• Quantities – show individual and column totals for the number of packages, quantity, unit of measurement, weight, unit value, and total value
  
  
• Specify the exact currency. Remember, several countries use the dollar sign ($) so be specific – for example USD, CAD, SID
  
  
• Is the commercial invoice on your company letterhead, and signed? (mandatory in many countries).
  
  

FedEx has also produced a new Commercial Invoice template to make it easier for you to complete this document accurately. It is available from the usual FedEx customer contact points. You can also download it from fedex.com by clicking here or receive it by fax, post, or email.

For further information on how to produce a Commercial Invoice, please contact FedEx Customer Service.