Commercial Invoice

Commercial Invoice is a formal document issued by the exporter to the importer, detailing the transaction terms such as the name of goods, quantity, unit price, total price, trade terms, and payment methods. It is one of the core documents in international trade, mainly used by the importer for customs clearance, payment of goods, foreign exchange verification, and by the exporter for tax rebates. Usage scenarios include letter of credit settlement, documentary collection, and telegraphic transfer. Precautions: The content of the commercial invoice must strictly match the contract and letter of credit, otherwise it may lead to refusal of payment; the invoice amount should be accurate to avoid customs questioning due to underreporting or overreporting; it must indicate the invoice number, date, and information of both buyer and seller. Differences from other terms: A Proforma Invoice is used for quotations or applying for import licenses and has no legal binding force; a Customs Invoice is a specific format required by the importing country's customs for valuation and statistics; a Consular Invoice requires consular authentication. The Commercial Invoice is the seller's basic document and also the basis for the buyer's bookkeeping and customs declaration.