By the Ebbrate editorial team · checked 18 October 2026 against the sources at the end
When a commercial invoice is required
A commercial invoice must be filed for each shipment imported into the US, prepared in the manner customary in the trade, unless the goods are exempted; then a pro forma invoice can stand in. It must be in English or come with an accurate English translation.
What the commercial invoice must show
Under 19 CFR 141.86, the invoice sets out:
- The port of entry the goods are going to.
- When, where, by whom and to whom the goods were sold.
- A detailed description: name, grade or quality, marks and numbers.
- Quantities, in the weights and measures of the country of shipment.
- The purchase price of each item, in the currency of purchase, and the currency.
- All charges on the goods by name and amount, including freight and insurance.
- Any rebates, drawbacks or bounties.
- The country of origin.
- Goods or services supplied for the production that are not in the price, such as moulds.
- What is in each package.
- The name of a responsible employee of the exporter.
Common commercial invoice mistakes
- A vague description such as “parts” or “accessories”.
- An undervalued price: the importer answers for the declared value.
- Leaving out moulds or tooling the buyer paid for separately.
- Origin stated as the shipping port rather than where the goods were made.
Commercial invoices on Ebbrate
After you accept a bid, the shipment page asks for the commercial invoice and packing list for most shipments, and the carrier needs them to clear customs. See What happens after I accept? and packing list.
Sources
A guide, not legal advice: rules change, and your customs broker has the last word on your entry.