- A commercial invoice is a customs document used in foreign trade, for example, a US Supplier shipping across the border to an Amazon Fulfillment Center in Canada or Mexico.
- It is used as a customs declaration provided by the person or corporation that is exporting an item across international borders.
- Although there is no standard format, the document must include a few specific pieces of information such as the parties involved in the shipping transaction, the goods being transported, the country of manufacture, and the Harmonized System codes for those goods.
- A commercial invoice must often include a statement certifying that the invoice is true, and a signature.
- Amazon has a specific format that you use when creating your own commercial invoices through Vendor Central.
- A commercial invoice is used to calculate tariffs, international commercial terms (and is commonly used for customs purposes.
- Commercial invoices in European countries are not normally for payment.
- The definitive invoice for payment usually has only the words "invoice".
- This invoice can also be used as a commercial invoice if additional information is disclosed.