Do I need a Commercial Invoice for DHL, FedEx, or UPS?

Yes. Every single international shipment containing commercial goods requires a Commercial Invoice, regardless of which courier or ocean freight line you use.

Is my company data safe when using this generator?

Absolutely. We engineered this tool using client-side JavaScript technology. Your data is processed entirely inside your browser and is never uploaded to our servers.

What happens if I declare a lower value to save on import taxes?

Intentionally undervaluing goods on a Commercial Invoice is considered customs fraud. US Customs will seize the shipment, request proof of payment, and issue massive financial penalties.

Should I include the freight cost on the Commercial Invoice?

If you are selling the goods under CIF or DDP terms, the freight cost should be itemized. The core commercial value (FOB) must be clearly stated separately, as US Customs assesses duty only on the value of the goods.

Do I need to physically sign the Commercial Invoice PDF?

Yes, most customs authorities require the exporter to sign and date the Commercial Invoice. You can sign physically or use a digital e-signature.

Free Commercial Invoice Generator

Fill out the form below and watch your professional, customs-compliant PDF build in real-time.

Company Logo (Optional)

Invoice Number

Invoice Date

Shipper / Exporter (Your Details)

Consignee / Importer (Receiver Details)

AWB / Tracking Number

Incoterms (Terms of Sale)

Product Details

Payment Terms & Bank Details

Select PDF Design Template

Currency:

Total Value: 0.00

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Commercial Invoice

Q: Do I have to include the HS Code on the invoice?

Including the 6-digit international HS Code or the 10-digit US HTS Code on your invoice drastically speeds up customs clearance and prevents the border agent from guessing your classification.

Invoice No: INV-2024-001
Date:

Shipper / Exporter

Company Details...

Consignee / Importer

Client Details...

Airway Bill / Tracking No: -

Terms of Sale (Incoterms): -

Description of Goods	HS / HTS Code	Qty	Unit Price	Total Price

Total Commercial Value:

USD 0.00

Authorized Signature

The Ultimate Free Commercial Invoice Generator for US Customs

If you are shipping commercial goods across international borders, your package will not clear customs without a legally binding document known as the Commercial Invoice. Whether you are using FedEx, UPS, DHL, or shipping a massive 40-foot ocean container, this document acts as the passport for your freight.

Creating this document in Word or Excel is often frustrating and leads to formatting errors that cause customs delays. Our Free Commercial Invoice Generator solves this problem by allowing you to input your shipment data into a simple web form and instantly export a perfectly formatted, US Customs-compliant PDF document.

100% Private & Secure: Our PDF invoice creator utilizes advanced Client-Side technology. Your sensitive business data, supplier addresses, and pricing information are processed entirely inside your own web browser. We never upload your data to our servers.

What is a Commercial Invoice and Why is it Mandatory?

A Commercial Invoice is the primary document used by customs authorities worldwide to evaluate a cross-border transaction. It is drastically different from a standard retail receipt. Customs officers rely on this document to determine two critical factors:

Admissibility: Does this product meet the legal requirements to enter the country? (e.g., Does it require FDA or EPA approval?)
Import Duty Assessment: Based on the Total Value and the HS Code listed on the invoice, how much import tax does the buyer owe the government?

If your invoice is missing key details or contains mathematical errors, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will halt your shipment, issue a Form 28 request, and charge you daily demurrage (storage) fees until a corrected invoice is provided.

Commercial Invoice vs. Proforma Invoice: What is the Difference?

Many new importers confuse these two documents. A Proforma Invoice is essentially a "Quote." It is sent by the seller before the goods are produced or shipped to outline the estimated cost and secure an upfront payment. You cannot use a Proforma Invoice to clear customs.

A Commercial Invoice is the final, official bill of sale. It is issued after the transaction is finalized and the goods are ready to be physically loaded onto the vessel or airplane. Only the Commercial Invoice represents the true, final transaction value required by border authorities.

Essential Elements of a Valid Customs Invoice

To prevent your cargo from being seized or delayed at the port, our PDF template automatically formats your data to include the mandatory fields required by CBP and international couriers:

Shipper and Consignee Information: The exact legal names and addresses of the seller (exporter) and the buyer (importer).
Incoterms (Terms of Sale): This defines who is paying for the shipping and who bears the risk (e.g., FOB, CIF, DDP, EXW).
Detailed Product Descriptions: Generic terms like "Electronics" or "Apparel" are illegal. You must provide specific details (e.g., "Men's 100% Cotton Knitted T-Shirts").
HS / HTS Codes: The 6-digit or 10-digit Harmonized System classification code. (Need help finding your code? Use our free AI HS Code Finder tool).
Country of Origin: Where the goods were actually manufactured, not just where they were shipped from.

How to Edit or Merge Your Generated PDF Invoice

Often, freight forwarders require you to combine your Commercial Invoice with your Packing List or Bill of Lading into a single PDF file. Because our tool generates a standard PDF, you can easily modify it. If you need to merge documents, rearrange pages, or securely sign your invoice digitally, we highly recommend utilizing our sister platform at gkpdf.com for completely free, offline PDF manipulation tools.

Commercial Invoice & Customs: Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Every single international shipment containing commercial goods (items intended for resale, samples, or manufacturing parts) requires a Commercial Invoice, regardless of which courier or ocean freight line you use.

No. A Proforma Invoice is simply a preliminary quote sent before production. Customs authorities require the final, official Commercial Invoice that reflects the actual goods loaded onto the shipment and the final transaction value.

While not strictly legally mandated by all countries on the document itself, including the 6-digit international HS Code or the 10-digit US HTS Code on your invoice drastically speeds up customs clearance and prevents the border agent from guessing your classification (and potentially overcharging you on duties).

Absolutely. We engineered this tool using client-side JavaScript technology. When you type your supplier details and pricing into the form, it stays inside your browser's local memory. The PDF is generated directly on your device. We do not have servers that save or read your commercial data.

Intentionally undervaluing goods on a Commercial Invoice is considered customs fraud and tax evasion. If US Customs suspects the declared value is too low, they will seize the shipment, request proof of payment (bank wires), and issue massive financial penalties to the Importer of Record.

This depends on your Incoterms. If you are selling the goods under CIF or DDP terms, the freight cost should be itemized. However, the core commercial value of the goods (FOB) must be clearly stated separately, as US Customs assesses duty only on the value of the goods, not the international shipping cost.

Yes, most customs authorities require the exporter to sign and date the Commercial Invoice to certify that the information is true and correct. You can print our generated PDF and sign it with a pen, or use a secure offline tool like gkpdf.com to apply a digital e-signature before emailing it to your freight forwarder.