Free Commercial Invoice Template
Create a professional invoice in minutes
Create a commercial invoice for goods sold overseas, with clear descriptions and agreed prices. Show what the buyer owes so they can check the bill and pay you.
Email, print or download your invoice as a PDF.
14-day free trial. No credit card required.
Create the invoice. Send it. Get back to work.
Commercial Invoice Template Previews
These previews show general invoice layouts for a business sale. For goods crossing a border, add the required shipment details and check the finished document with your carrier or customs broker.
-
Sample Commercial Invoice Template
Create Free Invoice -
Free Commercial Invoice Template
Create Free Invoice -
Printable Commercial Invoice Template
Create Free Invoice -
Blank Commercial Invoice Template
Create Free Invoice -
Simple Commercial Invoice Template
Create Free Invoice -
Standard Commercial Invoice Template
Create Free Invoice -
Itemized Commercial Invoice Template
Create Free Invoice -
Basic Commercial Invoice Template
Create Free Invoice -
Hourly Commercial Invoice Template
Create Free Invoice
Use the Commercial Invoice to Describe the Goods Sold
For international trade, a commercial invoice identifies the seller, buyer and goods sold, with the prices and currency. Customs authorities use it to help assess duties and taxes. The International Trade Administration’s commercial-invoice guidance explains its role and the need to check destination requirements.
For a domestic business sale or service, an ordinary invoice may be all the customer needs. The shipment guidance below focuses on goods rather than treating every business bill as a customs document.
Docelf helps you prepare the invoice details. A general invoice layout is not a guarantee of customs acceptance or a replacement for a required country-specific form.
How to Create a Commercial Invoice
Gather the order and shipment details first. Use these steps to prepare the invoice, then confirm any customs requirements before using it for an export.
- Identify the Seller: Enter the selling business and contact details used for the shipment.
- Add Your Business Logo: Keep the design clear and the invoice details easy to read.
- Identify the Buyer: Check the buyer’s legal name, billing address and contact.
- Set the Number and Dates: Use an invoice number and date. Add the agreed payment due date.
- Describe Each Product: List the goods, quantities, units and agreed prices in one currency.
- Check the Invoice Value: Review goods, freight, insurance and any applicable tax or discount.
- Add Payment and Trade Terms: Reference the order and agreed shipping terms. Check required shipment details.
How to Fill In Commercial Invoice Line Items
Use a description that identifies each product, not just “Goods” or “Samples.” Add the material, size or product reference when it helps explain what is being sold.
This example lists three kitchenware products in USD, with separate freight and insurance charges. It shows how the total adds up, not a complete customs document.
| QTY | Description | Unit Price | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | Stainless steel table spoons, 20 cm — each | $8.00 | $192.00 |
| 12 | Stainless steel serving tongs, 30 cm — each | $14.00 | $168.00 |
| 12 | Stainless steel serving spoons, 30 cm — each | $20.00 | $240.00 |
| Subtotal | $600.00 |
| Freight | $60.00 |
| Insurance | $6.00 |
| Total | $666.00 |
No sample tax or duty rate is applied here because those charges depend on the goods, route and trade terms. This does not mean the shipment is tax-free. Ask your broker to confirm taxes, duties and the value to declare to customs. The $666.00 shown is only the example invoice total.
What to Include in Commercial Invoice Terms
Use Terms and Conditions to state the payment currency, due date and order reference. Include the shipping terms you actually agreed, with the named place when relevant.
Do not invent tariff codes, origin statements or responsibility for import charges. Confirm those details with the parties handling the shipment. Replace every bracketed detail below and use any required customs wording separately.
Example: Terms and Conditions
- This invoice relates to order [Order Reference] and shipment [Shipment Reference].
- All amounts are in [Currency]. Payment is due on [Due Date] by [Accepted Payment Method].
- Shipping terms: [Agreed Trade Term and Named Place].
- Responsibility for freight, insurance and import charges follows agreement [Agreement Reference].
Put the Order Details Into a Clear Invoice
List the goods and agreed prices in Docelf. Check the required shipment details with your carrier or broker. Download the invoice as a PDF when it is ready.
Check the Details Needed for This Shipment
Requirements depend on the destination and goods. Use these points to prepare your details, then confirm which form your shipment needs.
Seller, Buyer and Recipient
Check the seller’s, buyer’s and recipient’s names and addresses. If the delivery recipient differs from the buyer, include that recipient’s details in the required shipment paperwork.
Product Details and Origin
Use accurate descriptions and quantities. Confirm the country of manufacture or origin information required for each product rather than copying the dispatch country.
Product Codes and References
Check any required Harmonized System (HS) or destination tariff code with a reliable source or broker. Keep order and shipment references consistent across documents.
Currency, Charges and Terms
Identify the currency and separate goods, freight and insurance where required. Confirm the agreed trade terms and which party pays each charge.
For a carrier example, review FedEx’s customs-document guidance. Check the current requirements for your own shipment rather than copying a generic example.
Keep the Invoice and Shipment Paperwork Consistent
The goods and quantities on the invoice should match the shipment paperwork. Check the buyer’s order, packing list and carrier records before sending. The export-document guide explains why a packing list is not a substitute for a commercial invoice.
Add useful product information to the item descriptions and trade terms to Terms and Conditions. Attach a supporting PDF or image when appropriate. Do not assume an attachment replaces a field, declaration or signature required on the commercial invoice itself.
Use your carrier’s or broker’s required form when the general template cannot show the information the shipment needs. Ask them to confirm product codes and handle customs submissions. Docelf helps you prepare the invoice; it does not clear the goods through customs.
Choose the Currency and Keep the Design Readable
Docelf supports USD, EUR, GBP, CAD and AUD. Choose the currency agreed with the buyer and use it consistently. Do not mix amounts in different currencies in one invoice total.
Add your logo, colors and fonts, and use the footer for your contact details. An optional industry name can appear before “Invoice.” Keep product descriptions, prices and payment details easy to read.
Save customer and product details for later orders. Review prices, quantities and shipment references each time you reuse them. See how to add and reuse items.
After You Send the Commercial Invoice
Keep a copy of the final invoice with the order and shipment records. Invoice payment and customs clearance are different tasks.
Check Payment and Create the Receipt
- Check whether the invoice emailed from Docelf was delivered and opened.
- Record the buyer’s payment and check any remaining balance.
- Create a receipt after recording payment. Ask the carrier or broker for customs updates.
Commercial Invoice Files to Adapt
These are general editable invoice files, not pre-approved customs forms. Choose your format, then check that the completed document meets the requirements for your shipment.
Commercial Invoice FAQs
-
What is a commercial invoice used for?
In international trade, a commercial invoice identifies the seller and buyer. It lists the goods sold, prices and currency. Customs authorities use it to help assess duties and taxes. Confirm the details and format required for the destination.
-
Is every business invoice a commercial invoice for customs?
No. A bill for domestic services or a local sale is not automatically suitable for customs. For an international goods shipment, check the destination’s commercial-invoice requirements and the carrier’s instructions.
-
Can I use these layouts for an international shipment?
Use them as a starting point for invoice details. Confirm that the finished document contains all required shipment information. Use a carrier or country-specific form when the general layout is not enough. Check the finished document, not just the preview.
-
Do I need HS codes and country-of-origin details?
Check the requirements for the goods and destination with your carrier or customs broker. Use verified product codes and origin information where required. Do not guess them or copy values from an unrelated example.
-
Why does the line-item example omit a tax rate?
The example shows goods, freight and insurance. Taxes and duties depend on the shipment, so it does not assume a rate. Leaving them out of this example does not mean your shipment is tax-free.
-
Does a packing list replace the commercial invoice?
No. A packing list describes how the goods are packed, while the commercial invoice records the sale and values. Keep the descriptions and quantities consistent and confirm which documents your shipment requires.
-
Can Docelf clear customs or calculate the correct import duty?
No. Docelf calculates invoice amounts from the prices, taxes and discounts you enter. Ask your carrier, broker or customs authority about required documents, product codes and import duties.
Ready to Prepare the Commercial Invoice?
Start with the sale details and check the shipment requirements before sending.
- List the goods and agreed prices
- Keep the currency and trade terms clear
- Download the checked invoice as a PDF
