Commercial invoice
The commercial invoice is the seller's formal request for payment. Along with the transport document, it is probably the most important paper needed in an export transaction, as it is also an essential component of certain methods of payment (for example the letter of credit) and indispensable for customs purposes. Several copies are made.
The commercial invoice serves the following purposes:
It is a record of the transaction between the seller and the buyer, listing details of the goods, how much they cost and how they are to be transported. It is the basis on which the customs authorities assess how much duty or tax is to be paid It is used to confirm the value of the goods for insurance purposes.
Pro-forma invoice
Unlike the commercial invoice, the pro-forma invoice is not a request for payment. Instead, it is a "sample" invoice, which may for example be issued:
When the buyer has requested a quotation
When the seller sends the buyer goods on approval
If the goods are to be sold by an agent, in which case the agent will need a pro-forma invoice in order to be able to fix his own prices.
right of disposal право распоряжения
(собственности)
commercial invoice торговый счет-фактура
tax налог
pro-forma invoice предварительный счет
on approval для ознакомления
agent агент; представитель
Customs invoice
Some countries may require the exporter to provide a customs invoice, a special invoice for the customs authorities of the importing country. This invoice is very similar to the commercial invoice, but requires additional information such as the domestic value and export price of the goods. With this information, the customs authorities can decide whether the goods are admissible (whether they can be allowed into the country) and how much duty is to be paid.
A customs invoice may be required in the following situations:
Where the value of the consignment is relatively high
Where specific types of goods are being imported
If the importer requires preferential treatment by the customs authorities, for example a lower rate of duty.
Consular invoice
Certain countries, notably those in South America, may insist on a consular invoice as evidence that the goods being imported are not over-priced. A consular invoice is issued as follows:
The exporter buys the relevant forms from the consulate of the importing country located in his own country.
The exporter fills out these forms. This is no easy task, as there may be up to 6 copies, and they all have to be perfect — if anythinghas been added or crossed out, the forms will be rejected.
3. The exporter takes a commercial invoice for the goods to be exported to the Chamber of Commerce. Here the invoice is stamped on the reverse side to con firm the origin of the goods (where they come from).
The exporter then takes all these forms — plus any others which may be required — back the to consulate.
Here the consular invoice is legalised by the consul. This means that the exporter has to swear to the accuracy of the documents.