The FedEx commercial invoice template is used when a customer needs to send a package internationally for the importing country’s customs agents. The form details what is inside the package to determine the taxes (if any) and to designate the classification of the product for other security measures. Depending on the importing country, there may be a value-added tax (VAT) that is charged to the receiving party.

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How to Write

Download in Adobe PDF (.pdf)

1 – Open The PDF Version Of The FedEx Commercial Invoice

You should download this copy of the FedEx Commercial Invoice when it is time to document the freight information concerning an international shipment. Click on the “Adobe PDF (.pdf)” button to open and obtain a copy of this paperwork.

2 – Review And Report The Export Information

Supply the Date this Freight was shipped in the first box “Date Of Export.”

The legal Name of the Exporter should be furnished in the “Shipper/Exporter” box. Use this same box to also provide the official address of the Exporter. Some pieces about where this freight is originating should be addressed. First, locate the “Country Of Export” box then, report the Country where it is packed and shipped. The Country where the goods contained in this Freight was produced or manufactured should be documented in the next box under the label “Country Of Manufacture.” The Country where this Freight will be shipped to (its Final Destination) must be entered in the box labeled “Country Of Ultimate Destination.”

Every International Shipment is assigned an Air Way Bill Number by Federal Express. Transcribe this FedEx Number in the box labeled “Federal Express International Air Way Bill Number.”

Now, locate the first box in the second column, “Export References (i.e. Order No., Invoice No., etc.)” then enter the requested number used by the Shipper in this box. 

Finally, in the box labeled “Currency,” report the type of Currency involved with this shipment (i.e. USD, Euro, etc.).

3 – Name The Recipient And Any Importer Involved

Now it will be time to focus on the entities who originated this shipment. First, we will identify the entity that ordered this freight from the Importer. If the freight is going to a separate address (i.e. such as a retail store location or warehouse), make sure you produce the Legal Name and Address of the party where this shipment will be physically received in the box labeled “Recipient (Complete Name And Address).” Do not use a P.O. Box Number for this section. Generally, Fedex does not deliver to P.O. Boxes with the exception of certain countries (i.e. Puerto Rico).If the entity that ordered this shipment does not share the same address as the Freight’s destination, then record this entity’s Legal Name and Address in the box labeled “Importer – If Other Than Recipient.”

4 – Supply A Detailed Description Of The Freight

A complete description of the container(s). The contents of such must be presented on this paperwork in order for it to function correctly at the checkpoints it must pass. Begin providing this information in the first column. Here, you must document any physical identifying markings on the containers making up this shipment. The next column, “No. Of Pkgs.” requires how many packages are in this shipment. Keep in mind that since we must describe this shipment, the total number of boxes may have to be split up across several different rows. If so, make sure you record how many boxes/containers are in each row then record the total number of boxes at the bottom of this column in “Total No. Of Packages.” Note: Even if the containers and their contents are uniform (thus, not split up or divided) report the total number of boxes or containers in the “Total No. Of Pkgs.” Define how the goods in this freight have been packaged. That is, record if each of the freight consists of Boxes, Barrels, Tubes, etc. If this freight is packaged in more than one type of container, make sure you report how many of each type of container this shipment is consisted of. Supply a detailed description of the Contents of each Container. Make sure you report the contents according to the laws of the Country where this shipment is destined. For instance, some countries may require goods with Manufacturer ID numbers to be documented with or by such identification. Furnish a report on the Freight’s contents using the column “Full Description Of Goods.” The next few columns will focus on some very specific information. Make sure the references you are working with are fully up-to-date and accurate since any discrepancy may result in being stopped at the border. Record the how many of each product is in the freight using the “Qty” column. For example, if the containers in this row contain a total of 500 books split across ten boxes, then report the number “500” in this column. Now, the next two columns will be used to present the Weights making up this shipment. The units of measurement used to weigh this shipment (i.e. lbs., Kg., etc.) must be provided in the “Units Of Measurement” column. Each number that will be reported in “Weight” must have a unit of measurement reported in this column.   Enter the total amount of Weight each row contains in the “Weight” column. Then, add all the Weights you record in this column and furnish the result in the box at the bottom of this column (“Total Weight”). The “Unit Value” column is reserved so that you can document the value of one of each type of product. Thus, if a box reported in this row contains $5.00 pens, $24.00 books, and $2.00 bookmarks then, record the numbers $5.00, $24.00, $2.00 etc. in this column. The “Total Value” column refers to the dollar value of the items recorded in this row. Each row should have a total dollar value recorded here. If you have multiple rows make sure all the dollar amounts are in the same currency. This row will also require a total reported in the box reserved at the end of it.

Finally, we will need to define who is responsible for paying the Freight’s transportation, insurance, etc. Locate the box in the bottom right-hand corner with the label “Check One.” If the transportation and insurance will be paid for by the Exporter, then mark the box “FOB” (Free On Board). If the Exporter will pay the costs of shipping and insurance until the Port of Destination (the border of the destination country) then mark the box labeled “CIF” (Cost Insurance And Freight”). If the Importer will pay for the insurance from the Port of Loading to the Final Destination, then mark the third box “Cost And Freight.”

5 – Verify The Information Provided With A Dated Signature

The Shipper/Exporter or a representative of this entity must present his or her Printed Name and Signature on the first blank line after the statement beginning with the phrase “Signature Of Shipper/Exporter). The blank line directly below the word “Date” must have the Calendar Date when the Signature Party has signed his or her Name documented (by the Signature Party upon Signing).