How to prepare Customs Documents
An invoice for customs purposes must always be prepared and accompany any shipments that are customs-dutiable. If it is a commercial shipment with a commercial value, you will need a commercial invoice. If it is a non-commercial shipment (non-business purpose), such as a personal gift, sample or faulty part, you will need a proforma or non-business use invoice.
Commercial Invoice
A commercial invoice is required when sending dutiable goods. Using the following as a reference please complete two copies entirely in the English language (the number of copies required may vary depending on the destination).A commercial invoice is required under customs law as a document necessary for sending shipments abroad and is an important document requested at customs in the customs procedure. An accurate commercial invoice provides the basic information is also used by customs authorities of the importing country in correctly assessing customs duties and import application.
Invoices can be completed by downloading the form from the following link and filling in the required fields. Alternatively, invoices can be easily completed online via the DHL Web Shipping tool.
Account holders create a Commercial Invoice onlineAccount holders create a Commercial Invoice online
- Date the invoice is prepared (month, date and year, in that order, by the Gregorian calendar)
- Recipient's company name, address, contact person name, contact department name, and telephone number.
- Name of city where port of loading and port of discharge are lodcated
- Name quantity, unit price, subtotal and total amount (declared value) of the items being shipped. The declared value is required even when it has no commercial value.
- Rather than using descriptions like "parts" and "sample" for the item name, please be specific and detailed in identifying the sample.
- Terms of trade (FOB, CIF, etc.)
- Please clearly indicate " No COMMERCIAL VALUE / VALUE FOR CUSTOMS PURPOSE ONLY " in the case of shipments with no commercial value.
- Number of packages, gross weight and the shipment's country of origin
- 10-digit number indicated at the top of the Air Waybill and destination city code (DHL will complete if not known)
- Your company name, address, contact person name, contact department name, telephone number, and signature (name should be legible)
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