What is a commercial invoice?
A commercial invoice is the document that travels with goods you ship abroad. It says what is in the boxes, what it is worth, who sends it and who receives it. The carriers put it plainly: UPS calls it "the basis for your customs declaration" (UPS guide, read 23 October 2026), and DHL writes that it "serves as a customs declaration for all shipments with commercial value (excluding document-only shipments)" (DHL guide, read 23 October 2026).
The carriers describe it as a document for customs, for the shipment. Whether the same sale also needs a tax invoice, and what that invoice must show, depends on the VAT or sales-tax rules of the seller's country: for the EU, see EU VAT invoice requirements. This tool makes the customs document only, so every file it makes says "Commercial invoice for customs — not a tax invoice" at the top.
What goes on a commercial invoice
The carriers' forms differ in layout, but they ask for the same facts:
- The parties. The exporter (you), the consignee (who receives the goods) and, when it is someone else, the buyer or importer. With a tax ID, a contact name and a phone number.
- The goods, line by line. A description, the HS code, the country of origin, the quantity and its unit, the weight, the unit value and the total value.
- The shipment. The tracking or waybill number, the Incoterm, the reason for export (a sale, a gift, a repair…), the number of packages and the total weight.
- The money. The currency, the freight and insurance when you charge them, and the invoice total.
- The signature. The name and title of the person who signs it.
The table above shows each of these under the name each carrier's form gives it.
Describe the goods so customs understands them
DHL warns that "Vague descriptions can delay customs clearance." UPS asks for three things in each description: "WHAT IT IS • WHAT MATERIALS IT’S MADE OF • WHAT THE ITEM IS USED FOR" (UPS guide, read 23 October 2026). "Stoneware mug, glazed ceramic, 350 ml, for drinking" works. "Mug" does not.
The country of origin is where the goods were made, not where they leave from. In UPS's words, it is "the country where the goods were manufactured or assembled NOT the country they are being shipped from".
Language and format
There is no single format. DHL says so directly: "There isn’t a universal format for commercial invoices." Each carrier has its own form, and the FedEx form adds: "This invoice must be completed in English." Canada accepts a commercial invoice "in English or French" when it carries the information the CBSA lists (Memorandum D1-4-1, read 23 October 2026).
Pick your carrier
The generator above uses neutral labels. For a carrier's own words and fields, use its page:
Commercial invoice or proforma invoice?
A proforma invoice is a quote before the sale. A commercial invoice goes with the shipment, for customs. The tax invoice, where the seller's rules ask for one, is a third document: the VAT invoice tool makes it.
InvoiceCow does not store what you type. Each file is made once and goes straight to your browser.