A commercial invoice is a bill that is used in foreign trade to provide information about a shipment of goods. It is used by customs officials to determine the value of the goods and to calculate import duties and taxes. The commercial invoice is also used by the buyer and seller to track the shipment and to settle the financial terms of the sale.
A commercial invoice typically includes the following information:
- Name and address of the seller and the buyer
- Date of the invoice
- Terms of sale
- Description of the goods
- Quantity of the goods
- Unit price of the goods
- Total value of the goods
- Harmonized System (HS) code for the goods
- Country of origin of the goods
- Method of shipment
- Freight charges
- Insurance charges
- Total cost of the shipment
It’s important to include all the required information. Incomplete or inaccurate invoices delays the clearance of goods through customs and can lead to additional fees and penalties for the importer.
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