Shipping guide
Commercial invoice and packing list
What belongs on the commercial invoice, what belongs on the packing list, and how to check they agree.
Illustrative example / commercial invoice
120 items
- Seller / buyer
- Identify the commercial parties.
- Goods / quantity
- Describe the product and 120 items sold.
- Value / currency / terms
- State the price, currency and agreed trade terms.
Illustrative example / packing list
6 cartons
- Cartons 1–6
- 20 items per carton = 120 items.
- Each carton
- Record its identifier, outer dimensions and gross weight.
- Cross-check
- The packing totals must agree with the invoice.
Explanatory examples, not completed documents or an exhaustive list of required fields.
What each document is for
A commercial invoice records the commercial transaction: seller, buyer, goods, quantities, value and agreed terms. A packing list explains how those goods are packed, including package identifiers, contents, dimensions and weights. One does not automatically replace the other.
Check both documents before shipping
- Are the seller and buyer details consistent?
- Can each package be matched to the relevant goods?
- Do product quantities agree across records?
- Are units, currency and weights unambiguous?
- Are any estimates clearly identified?
Example: products versus packages
A shipment of 120 items packed into six cartons has both a product quantity and a package count. The invoice describes the transaction for the items; the packing list shows how to identify and handle the six cartons. Keep those numbers distinct.
Check the shipment-specific requirements
This is a preparation checklist, not an exhaustive customs-document list. Confirm the information and any additional documents required by the relevant authority and the party handling the declaration.
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