CI (Commercial Invoice)
The seller's final bill for a shipment, listing goods, quantities, prices and terms, used by customs to assess duties and by the buyer to pay.
TL;DR: A Commercial Invoice is the seller’s official bill for the goods in a shipment. Customs in both the export and import country use it to identify the goods and calculate duties and taxes.
The Commercial Invoice, often shortened to CI, is issued by the seller once the order is ready to ship. It normally shows the seller and buyer names and addresses, invoice number and date, a description of each item, quantity, unit price, total value, currency, and the agreed Incoterm, such as FOB or CIF. Many invoices also list the HS Code, country of origin, and payment terms.
It is different from a Proforma Invoice. The Proforma Invoice is a quotation or advance bill sent before production or payment. The Commercial Invoice reflects what is actually shipped and is the version customs relies on. The quantities and descriptions must match the Packing List and the Bill of Lading.
For buyers importing from China, check the goods description carefully. A vague line such as “tiles” can slow clearance. A clear description, such as glass mosaic tiles mounted on mesh sheets, with the correct quantity in square meters or sheets, helps your customs broker classify the goods quickly.
Under-declaring the value to reduce duty is illegal in most countries and can lead to fines, seizure, or delays. The declared value should match the real transaction price. If you pay by L/C, the invoice wording must match the credit terms exactly, or the bank may refuse the documents.