A commercial invoice is the seller’s bill to the buyer for goods sold in an international transaction. It lists the parties, a description of the goods, quantities, unit and total values, currency and sale terms. Customs authorities use it to classify the goods and calculate duties and taxes.
How a Commercial Invoice Works
The seller or exporter prepares the commercial invoice once the sale is agreed and the cargo is ready. It travels with the shipping documents and is presented to customs at export and at import. For example, a used tractor shipped from Baltimore to Santos needs an invoice with its make, model, serial number and price.
A proforma invoice comes earlier, before the sale is final, and is used for quotes, import permits or opening a letter of credit. The commercial invoice replaces it once the goods are sold and shipped. Values on both should be consistent, or customs may ask questions.
The invoice should also show the Incoterms rule, the country of origin and the commodity code. These details must match the Bill of Lading, the packing list and the export filing.
Why a Commercial Invoice Matters for Heavy Equipment Shipping
Customs values a machine based on the invoice, so an undervalued or vague invoice can lead to holds, inspections or penalties. Used equipment often raises questions about its declared value and condition. Atlantic Project Cargo’s customs brokerage team checks invoices against the other export documents before the cargo leaves the port.
FAQ
Preparing the paperwork for an equipment export? Request a shipping quote and our team will review your invoice and export documents.
