If you export a lot of goods, creating a template for your commercial invoices will save time by allowing you to quickly and easily adjust the details for each shipment. Place the other copy in a clear pouch or envelope attached to the outside of the package.

Print out two copies of the commercial invoice, and pack one copy inside the shipment.

Double-check the details of the invoice with the contents of your shipment, correcting any errors found.

Compare the details on the commercial invoice with any other documents such as Letters of Credit or customs forms, and make sure everything matches.

If desired, translate the invoice into the national language of the destination country but also remember to include a copy of the commercial invoice in your own language.

Fill out an invoice template and add details as needed to transform it into a commercial invoice.

Check to see whether the destination country has any special requirements.

This ensures that everything is included on the invoice.

Confer with your customer to see if they want to add any additional details, and go over the terms you and your customer have agreed on.

Make sure the details satisfy the requirements of the Canada Customs Invoice.

Draft a list of the items you want to include on your commercial invoice.

To create your own commercial invoice, follow these steps: If you have additional questions about the requirements, contact the automated telephone line of the Border Information Service. To view a sample invoice, and for details about exporting goods, visit the Canada Border Services Agency site for guides and FAQs. Each of these invoices also plays a specific role for your small business. There are also other types of invoices such as debit and credit memos, mixed invoices, and withholding tax invoices. Purchase order - A purchase order contains details similar to those found on an invoice, but it’s issued by a buyer to serve as an offer to the seller. Generally speaking, you don’t record these invoices in your accounts receivables because they’re usually used for quotes, so the numbers aren’t permanent. Pro-forma invoice - Similar to an estimate or a quote, the pro-forma invoice gives your buyer an estimate of the costs of products or services they’re purchasing. These invoices are most often used when you lease or rent equipment to customers, or for services you provide on an ongoing basis. Recurring invoices - When you need to generate the same invoice for a customer every month, it is best to use a recurring invoice. These invoices note such things as the billing period and previous payments submitted in addition to any past due balances. Utility invoice - A type of invoice which is specifically used by utility companies including electricity, water and sewage companies, as well as telephone and internet providers. As the name suggests, these track the time spent on projects for billing purposes. Timesheets - Invoices utilized by independent contractors such as consultants, lawyers, and tutors who charge on an hourly basis. Progress invoice - Often used in the construction industry, these are incremental invoices that detail the progress of long-term projects and let customers know how much they currently owe. These also contain an itemized description of the products or services, prices, payment terms, and due dates. Standard invoice - Basic invoice which contains an invoice number and critical information about the buyer and seller.

To understand the unique features of a commercial invoice, compare it to other popular invoices: Sometimes a buyer puts funds into an escrow account until a shipment is received, then they show the commercial invoice to their bank to have the funds released for payment. In addition to this, if anything is lost or broken in transit, the invoice can be a crucial supporting document for resultant insurance claims. Generally, the destination country reviews a commercial invoice before allowing the shipment into the country. Commercial invoices have a greater purpose. They instruct the buyers regarding how much they owe, providing options for paying the bill, so they help the seller collect payments. Commercial Invoices vs Other Types of InvoicesĪll invoices are intended to provide records of business transactions.

Print fedex commercial invoice