Customer Help Centre

Commercial Invoice

Every shipment will need a commercial invoice uploaded into the courier’s system with information for the customs authorities.

This helps the authorities assess if the goods can move in or out of a country and what, if any, controls are needed.

It also helps the authorities determine Duties and taxes. It is vital to supply an invoice with the right information as it reduces the potential for delay.

Customs delays and paperwork can be reduced by submitting commercial invoices/licenses electronically.

An ideal commercial invoice will include the information below:

1. The invoice number and date
2. The consignment number
   1. National Pallets will provide the consignment number.
3. Your company name
4. Your company address and country
5. Your contact name
6. Your telephone number
   1. This must be a local contact number as if there are any customs issues that arise, customs will only contact local contact numbers that are within that country.
7. Your EORI (Economic Operator Registration & Identification) Number. All businesses involved in International export or import require an EORI.
8. Currency in GBP or EUR
9. The name of the company you are sending your consignment to (the consignee)
10. The address and country of the company you are sending to
11. The contact name at the company you are sending to
12. The telephone number of the company you are sending to
    1. This must be a local contact number as if there are any customs issues that arise, customs will only contact local contact numbers that are within that country.
13. The company EORI of the customer you are sending to. This is required to clear your shipment through Customs and is mandatory.
14. Number of pallets in the consignment
15. The total gross weight of the consignment in kilograms
16. Declaring of goods being shipped:
    1. The Customs Commodity Code (Tariff Number) for the item you are sending and description of the goods.  
       1. The Customs Commodity Code dictates the amount of duty that will be applied by Customs to the goods when they arrive. This is required for export and import customs clearance and ensures the goods are classified accurately and that shipper’s customer is not be over-charged in duties.
    2. Full and accurate description of the goods is essential for Customs.
       1. Poorly described shipments could be detained for further examination by Customs and so delay the delivery of the consignment.
    3. Number of items for each description
    4. The unit value of each item
    5. The total of items multiplied by the value of each good
    6. Country of manufacture of your goods – list separate countries, if applicable
    7. The total value of all commodities
17. State the reason for export e.g., sales, samples for review.
18. Incoterms. The terms of shipment used to define who is paying for the import and export customs declarations and who is liable for duty and taxes upon import.
    1. When sending through National Pallets, all consignments will be shipped under DAP – Delivered at Place.
    2. Under DAP incoterms the sender or contract holder will be responsible for the shipping cost of the goods to the foreign destination.  
    3. However, the recipient will be responsible for any customs clearance and duties and taxes charges that may be applied and in-country transport and unloading of goods.
19. An original signature, printed name, the position of the person completing the invoice

You will need to declare additional information for all goods shipped between UK and European Union and every item will need to be declared accurately.

Compliance is key and you are responsible for the information you provide and you are required to retain records for all goods moved for 6 years.