Commercial Invoice
The most essential trade document — required for virtually every international shipment.
What It Is
A commercial invoice is a bill for the goods sold internationally. It serves as:
- The basis for customs valuation and duty calculation
- Evidence of the transaction between exporter and importer
- A reference for customs clearance
When It's Required
Always. Every international shipment requires a commercial invoice.
Required Fields
| Field | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Exporter name and address | Identifies the seller |
| Importer name and address | Identifies the buyer |
| Invoice number and date | Transaction reference |
| Country of origin | For duty and trade agreement purposes |
| Description of goods | What's being shipped |
| HS code | Tariff classification for duty |
| Quantity and unit | How much |
| Unit price and total value | How much it costs |
| Currency | Which currency |
| Incoterms | Who pays for what |
| Payment terms | How the buyer pays |
Country-Specific Requirements
| Country | Extra Requirements |
|---|---|
| United States | 10-digit HTS code, EIN/CBP number |
| European Union | EORI number, TARIC code |
| United Kingdom | GB EORI number |
| India | IEC, GSTIN, ITC-HS code |
Klervex Validation
Klervex validates commercial invoices against:
- All line items have HS codes valid in the destination country
- Total value matches sum of line items
- Required tax identifiers present for the destination
- Party details complete
- Currency is a valid ISO 4217 code