Ordinary Invoice

Ordinary Invoice is an informal term used in foreign trade practice for a Commercial Invoice. It refers to a shipping document issued by the seller to the buyer after shipment, listing transaction details such as the name of goods, quantity, unit price, total price, and trade terms. It is mainly used for customs valuation in the importing country, bookkeeping and settlement between buyer and seller, but does not have the special functions of a Customs Invoice, Consular Invoice, or Proforma Invoice. Usage scenario: prepared by the exporter after shipment and submitted together with the bill of lading, packing list, etc. to the buyer or bank. Precautions: the content of an Ordinary Invoice must be strictly consistent with the contract and letter of credit, otherwise payment may be refused; if the L/C requires a 'Certified Invoice' or 'Sworn Invoice', additional certification is needed. Difference from Proforma Invoice: a Proforma Invoice is used for quotation or applying for import license and has no legal binding force; an Ordinary Invoice is an actual transaction voucher with legal effect. Difference from Customs Invoice: a Customs Invoice must be completed in the specific format required by the importing country for customs statistics and taxation, while an Ordinary Invoice has no fixed format.