 |
 |
 |
Download free invoice template in Microsoft Excel format.
Commercial Invoice Template: For Trading Internationally
Are you planning to expand your business to include potential markets overseas? Have you considered using a commercial invoice template to create the new type of invoices you will need? The popularity and prevalence of the Internet have opened up many new trade markets for small businesses and entrepreneurs, but to participate in international trade you will need a special type of invoice called a commercial invoice. In this article we will briefly define this document and its intended purpose and outline some of the key pieces of information a commercial invoice template should include.
Commercial Invoice Template: What Is a Commercial Invoice?
A commercial invoice is a type of document required when trading goods internationally. Essentially, the document serves as a customs declaration, and is issued by the exporter who is shipping goods to another country. Ideally, the commercial invoice should be a detailed record of the transaction, one that outlines the goods that are being sold to the importer, along with their price or turn value. Customs authorities use this document as a record of the transaction and also to assess the duties and taxes that must be levied on those goods. No international shipment is permitted without a commercial invoice, but fortunately, with the use of a quality template, these documents are not that difficult to create and/or fill out.
Commercial Invoice Template: An Explanation of the Contents
When searching for a commercial invoice template that will suit your purposes, you need to ensure that it contains certain fields. Each of these fields is crucial, for if one is missing it could delay your shipment or have it disallowed by customs agents. These fields include:
• Seller Information. Exporters must print their company’s name, address, telephone number and any other contact information.
• Buyer’s Information. The company or individual importing the goods must also be identified.
• Identification Number. This number can take many different forms depending on the method of shipment. Identifying numbers could include a shipment tracking number, airway bill number, barcode label or any combination of the three.
• Product and Container Description. A complete description of all products being shipped, including the substance or material with which those products are made and the type of container used to pack the goods, is all mandatory information.
• Product Origin. The country and or state of the product’s origin must be divulged on the commercial invoice template.
• Payment Terms. This includes the amount of payment, the payment method and when that payment is due and payable.
• Delivery Point Date. This is the date when the product should be delivered to the importer and is also required by customs.
• Signature. A representative from the exporting country is required to sign and date the commercial invoice.
This may sound like a lot of information to fill out, but with a commercial invoice template these invoices normally take just a few minutes to complete. These computerized templates allow you to pre-format your company information, and will typically contain drop-down menus for the product and shipment information, leaving only the importer’s contact information and signature fields to complete before printing a hard copy for the importer and customs officials.