The document customs actually reads — HS codes, Incoterms, origin and values — done properly, free.
A commercial invoice is the primary customs document for cross-border trade. Border authorities use it to classify the goods, assess duties and taxes, and screen the shipment — so an incomplete or vague commercial invoice is the most common reason packages sit in customs. This generator includes the fields couriers and customs brokers ask for: HS codes per line item, Incoterms, country of origin and destination, the air waybill / bill of lading number, and an export reference, alongside full itemisation in any of 40+ currencies.
“Parts” or “samples” gets shipments opened. Write what the item is, what it's made of, and what it's for: “stainless-steel bicycle chainrings, anodised, for retail sale”. Show a realistic unit value for every line, even free samples — “no commercial value” still requires a value for customs assessment. Quantities, unit prices and the total must reconcile; the engine's live math guarantees they do.
Invoice in the contract currency — USD, EUR, GBP, AED, anything in the 40+ currency list — with correct symbols and digit grouping, and amount-in-words if your buyer's bank requires it. Pair the commercial invoice with a proforma at quoting stage and a PO on the buy side, all on one engine.
Like every tool on this site, the commercial invoice maker runs entirely in your browser. Clients, line items and history are stored on your device in IndexedDB — never uploaded, never seen by us, exportable as a single backup file, deletable any time. It also works completely offline once loaded, and the PDF never carries a watermark.
It adds the customs-critical data: HS codes, country of origin, Incoterms, transport references and per-line values used to assess duties. It travels with the shipment as well as being billed to the buyer.
Incoterms are standard three-letter trade terms allocating costs and risk. EXW puts almost everything on the buyer; DDP puts it on you; FOB and CIF sit between, mainly for sea freight. State the term plus the named place on the invoice.
Yes — customs classifies and taxes each line by its HS code. Use at least the 6-digit international code; the destination tariff may require more digits.
A realistic market value, always. “Zero value” invoices are rejected; customs requires a value for assessment even when no payment occurs — you may note “value for customs purposes only”.