International ShippingCommercial invoices: when you need one and what goes on it
Courier services like UPS, FedEx and DHL Express need a commercial invoice for most goods. Octoship generates it for you — here's what's on it and how to send it.
A commercial invoice is the customs document for courier shipments. It lists the seller, the buyer, every item with its HS code, origin and value, and the shipping terms (DDP or DDU). Postal services like USPS, Canada Post and Royal Mail mostly use the shorter CN22/CN23 declaration instead; courier services like UPS, FedEx and DHL Express almost always want an invoice.
Which document does my shipment need?
| Shipping with | Customs document | How it's sent |
|---|---|---|
| USPS and other postal services | CN22 or CN23 | Printed on or with your label |
| UPS Worldwide services | Commercial invoice | Electronic where accepted, otherwise printed copies |
| FedEx International services | Commercial invoice | Electronic where accepted, otherwise printed copies |
| DHL Express | Commercial invoice | Usually electronic; print copies for the pouch if asked |
What Octoship puts on it
- Your business name, address and phone, plus any tax IDs you've saved (EORI, IOSS, VAT, ABN)
- The recipient's name, address, phone and email
- Each item's description, quantity, HS code, country of origin, unit value and total value
- Currency, total declared value and the reason for export (sale, gift, return, sample)
- The incoterm — DDP or DDU — and who pays duties and taxes
- Your typed signature certifying the information is correct
Paperless or printed?
Most courier destinations accept the invoice electronically — Octoship transmits it when you buy the label and there's nothing extra to print. When a destination or service still needs paper, Octoship adds invoice pages to your label download. Print the number of copies shown (usually three), sign them, and put them in a clear document pouch on the outside of the box.
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