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 of completion of the invoice (in the order year, month, day)
- The sender’s company name and address together with the name, departmental affiliation and telephone number of the person responsible.
- The receiver’s company name and address together with the name, departmental affiliation and telephone number of the person responsible.
- Full description of goods, quantities, unit value, subtotal value, unit net weight, gross weight, country of origin. Value details are required even when the goods are of no commercial value. “Parts” or “sample” is inadequate as a description of goods. Please specify parts for what kind of machine or provide an exact description of the sample.
- Waybill Number
- Total declared value
- Total weight
- Currency code of declared value
- If the items are of no commercial, please specify “Proforma”, If the items are of commercial, please specify “Commercial”.
- Incoterms (FCA, CIP, CPT etc.) “Incoterms” is a trademark of the International Chamber of Commerce. Incoterms® rules are an internationally recognized standard and are used worldwide in international and domestic contracts for the sale of goods
- Sender’s signature
An invoice for customs purposes must always be prepared and accompany any shipments that are customs-dutiable. Please complete two copies entirely in the English language and please use your company’s letterhead.
If you have any inquiries, please contact DHL Customer Service
