Types of international trade invoices



      Invoices of different purposes are used differently in international trade. Different invoice names represent different types of invoices. The preparation of invoices should be strictly in accordance with the provisions of the letter of credit. Common invoice types and preparation methods are as follows:


      (1) Commercial invoice: If the L/C regulations are INVOICE (invoice), COMMERCIAL INVOICE (commercial invoice), SHIPPING INVOICE (shipping invoice), TRADE INVOICE (trade invoice), all can be controlled by commercial invoice, generally only the invoice The name is printed as "INVOICE".


       (2) Detailed invoice: If L/C stipulates "DETAILED INVOICE", if the word "INVOICE" is printed in the invoice, "DETAILED" must be added in front of the invoice. The invoice content should include the name, specification, quantity, unit price, price conditions, The total value, etc. are listed in detail.


       (3) Confirmed invoice: A confirmed invoice is a kind of invoice that proves that the content contained in it is true and correct. The content of the confirmation depends on the requirements of the importer, such as: the content of the invoice is true and correct, the real place of origin of the goods, the quality of the goods and the contract, The price is correct and so on. If L/C stipulates "CERTIFIED INVOICE", the name of the invoice should be typed, and the words "E. &. OE" usually printed under the invoice should be crossed out, and the invoice should usually be marked "WE HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE CONTENTS OF INVOICE HEREIN" ARE TRUE & CORRECT".


  Some countries have a certain format for verifying invoices, which can be used as a certificate of lower tariff or tax exemption as a customs clearance department for goods import. In some regions, importers certify actual invoices instead of customs invoices for customs clearance or to obtain tariff preferences. Some importers vouch for the actual invoice to prove that the commission is not included in the price of the goods, in order to obtain extra-price remuneration.


If the L/C stipulates "VISAED INVOIE" (visa invoice) and designates the visa holder, the visa holder must stamp and sign on the invoice for the visa and add the supporting sentence. If no visa holder is specified in the certificate, it will be exported The Chamber of Commerce as the visa holder, and the rest is the same as the confirmed invoice.


(4) Receipt of the invoice, or it is called “received invoice for both money and goods”: If the L/C stipulates that “RECEIPT INVOICE” is required, please type the name as it is, and add the payment received clause in the signature of the invoice closing document: VALUE/PAYMENT RECEIVED UNDER CREDIT NO.××× ISSUED BY ××× BANK. This kind of invoice is often used under the sight payment letter of credit, and its purpose is to replace the payment receipt with a commercial invoice without the need to issue a bill of exchange. Because bills of exchange require tax stamps in some countries, some importers also require such invoices to be exempted from the burden of stamp duties.


  (5) Manufacturer's invoice: A manufacturer's invoice is a sales certificate issued by the manufacturer of the exported goods, which expresses the ex-factory price in domestic currency. Its purpose is to be used by the customs of the importing country to assess the value, verify taxes, check whether there is price-cutting dumping, and levy anti-dumping duties. If L/C requires "MANUFACTURERS INVOICE", the name of the invoice should be typed according to it, and attention should be paid to:


  (A) The invoice date should be earlier than the commercial invoice date.


  (B) The price is the domestic market price expressed in the currency of the exporting country. The filling method is the same as that of the customs invoice, but it should be noted that the ex-factory price cannot be higher than the invoice price, and a discount should be appropriately applied (generally 10% or 15% of the FOB price), so as not to be levied by the customs of the importing country as a dumping Anti-dumping duties have caused huge losses.


  (C) The statement “WE HEREBY CERTIFY THAT WE ARE ACTUAL MANUFACTURER OF THE GOODS INVOICED” should be added to the invoice.


  (D) The payer is the exporter, but the biller is the manufacturer, and the person in charge of the factory should sign and seal the invoice.


  (E) When goods leave the factory, there is generally no export shipping mark. Therefore, unless expressly stated in the credit, the manufacturer’s invoice does not have to be marked.


  (6) Proforma invoice, or pre-invoicing: It is mainly used for the buyer's reference when accepting the quotation, or when applying for import license or foreign exchange approval to the domestic trade administration or foreign exchange administration after signing the contract. It is an informal reference invoice issued by the seller before the transaction at the request of the buyer. The price in it is only an estimated price and cannot be used as a settlement document, and has no final binding force on both parties to the transaction. A formal invoice is also required for formal transactions.


   If the L/C stipulates that “PROFORMA INVOICE” is required, the name should be typed in when the bill is made, and the invoice should indicate “for the merchant to apply for a license” or “this transaction is finally confirmed as valid by the seller”. Once the buyer accepts the proforma invoice, it is an affirmative contract, and both parties handle various businesses according to the content of the proforma invoice.


  (7) SAMPLE INVOICE, also known as small invoice: it is a list issued by the seller when sending samples to the buyer for import declaration.


  (8) CONSULAR INVOICE: A consular invoice is an invoice that is filled out by the exporter in a fixed format established by the consulate of the importing country in the exporting country and signed by the consulate. Some Latin American countries stipulate that imports must be based on consular invoices, or to determine the origin of the goods, to clarify differential treatment tariffs; or to verify whether the invoice price is reasonable and whether there is a dumping problem.


  Consular invoices are official documents and the format is generally relatively fixed. However, some countries only require that the commercial invoice issued by the seller be signed by the consul of that country. This type of invoice is called CONSULAR LEGALIZED INVOICE. The content that should be indicated in the consular invoice depends on the certification clauses of the invoice on the L/C. Generally, it is necessary to indicate "the shipment goods are manufactured/produced by ×× (exporting country)".


  (9) CONSIGNMENT INVOICE: It is the invoice issued by the seller to the buyer as the basis for pricing when the goods are consigned.


  (10) Customs Invoice (CUSTOMS INVOICE): Customs invoices are invoices in a specific format that must be provided for import declarations as required by the customs authorities of the importing country. They are mainly used as the basis for assessing and paying taxes, determining the place of origin, levying differential tariffs or levying anti-dumping duties. Therefore, it is also called COMBINED CERTIFICATE OF VALUE AND ORIGIN (Combined Certificate of Valuation and Origin, referred to as C. C. V. O.).


  Customs invoices have different special fixed formats in different countries, so please pay attention to not mixing them when using them. Some countries allow customs invoices to replace commercial invoices. Attention should be paid when making the system: if the transaction condition is CIF, the three prices of FOB, F, and I should be listed separately, and the sum should be equal to the value of the CIF; both the signatory and the certifier must appear in their personal identities, and the two cannot For the same person, the individual signature must be hand-signed to be valid.


When the letter of credit only requires a customs invoice, but does not specify the content of the customs invoice, even if many fields on the invoice submitted by the beneficiary are missing or incomplete or incorrect, as long as it does not conflict with other documents, There is no reason for the issuing bank to refuse to pay.


   As customs invoices are not conducive to the development of free trade, the current use in international trade tends to decrease.