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A Commercial Invoice acts as the official bill of sale between buyers and sellers in international trade. It's a key document that outlines what goods are being sold, their quantity, agreed prices, and delivery terms - essentially telling customs officials exactly what's crossing borders.

Under UK customs law, this document helps determine import duties and VAT payments while providing evidence of the transaction's commercial value. Businesses must include specific details like the seller's and buyer's full addresses, country of origin, and appropriate commodity codes. British exporters typically need to keep copies for at least six years to comply with HMRC requirements.

Use a Commercial Invoice whenever you're selling goods internationally from the UK. This document becomes essential the moment your products need to cross borders, especially when shipping to non-EU countries where customs clearance is required.

Time your preparation carefully - you need this invoice ready before your goods leave the warehouse. HMRC requires it for export declarations, and your buyer needs it to clear customs at their end. It's particularly important for high-value shipments, controlled goods, or when dealing with countries that have specific import documentation requirements. Many freight forwarders and shipping companies won't even accept your cargo without it.

• Commercial Invoice Pro Forma: Used before finalizing a sale to show estimated costs and terms
• Commercial Invoice And Packing List: Combines detailed inventory with pricing for customs clearance
• Non Commercial Invoice: For personal shipments, gifts, or samples without commercial value
• Commercial Sales Invoice: Standard format for completed business transactions
• Commercial Invoice And Proforma Invoice: Dual-purpose document showing both preliminary and final terms

• Exporters: Create and issue Commercial Invoices, ensuring accuracy of product details, pricing, and trade terms
• Customs Officials: Review these documents to calculate duties, verify compliance, and clear goods through borders
• Freight Forwarders: Handle paperwork and coordinate shipments based on invoice details
• Importers: Use invoices to clear goods through customs and maintain accurate financial records
• Banks: Process international payments and letters of credit based on invoice terms
• HMRC Officers: Audit these documents for tax compliance and trade statistics

• Company Details: Gather full legal names, addresses, and tax IDs for both buyer and seller
• Product Information: List exact descriptions, quantities, unit prices, and total values in the agreed currency
• Trade Terms: Confirm Incoterms version and shipping terms with your buyer
• Commodity Codes: Look up accurate HS codes for each product using HMRC's trade tariff tool
• Export Details: Note country of origin, shipping method, and delivery terms
• Documentation: Our platform generates compliant Commercial Invoices automatically, ensuring all required elements are included

• Header Information: Invoice number, date, and clear marking as 'Commercial Invoice'
• Party Details: Full legal names, addresses, VAT numbers, and EORI numbers
• Product Details: Description, quantity, unit price, total value, currency, and HS commodity codes
• Trade Terms: Incoterms version and delivery conditions clearly stated
• Origin Statement: Country of origin for goods and export control information
• Payment Terms: Method, timeline, and bank details if applicable
• Declaration: Statement confirming invoice accuracy and authenticity
• Signatures: Authorized signatory details and company stamp area

Let's compare a Commercial Invoice with an Invoice Form. While both documents record sales transactions, they serve different purposes and have distinct legal requirements.

• Legal Status: Commercial Invoices are formal customs documents with specific regulatory requirements for international trade. Invoice Forms are simpler internal billing documents for domestic transactions.
• Required Content: Commercial Invoices must include shipping terms, commodity codes, and country of origin declarations. Invoice Forms typically only need basic transaction details.
• Usage Context: Commercial Invoices facilitate customs clearance and duty calculations for cross-border trade. Invoice Forms handle routine business billing within the UK.
• Compliance Requirements: Commercial Invoices must meet HMRC and international trade regulations. Invoice Forms only need to satisfy basic UK VAT requirements.