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A commercial invoice is an export document that contains details about an international shipment including the sender, recipient, and contents of the shipment. It’s used by customs officials in the destination country to assess import duties and taxes. Jetpack automatically generates commercial invoices for all international shipments based on the product information in your catalog.

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How Commercial Invoices Work

Jetpack automatically generates commercial invoices for every international shipment using information from your Product Catalog. The quality of your customs documentation directly impacts delivery speed and customer experience—incomplete or inaccurate information can cause costly delays at customs. What’s on a Commercial Invoice:
  • Sender and recipient information
  • Detailed product descriptions
  • Harmonized System (HS) codes for each product
  • Country of origin for each product
  • Declared customs value
  • Total shipment value
  • EORI number (for EU shipments)

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Required Product Information

To ensure accurate customs documentation, you’ll need to configure the following information for each product in your catalog:
FieldWhat It IsWhy It Matters
Harmonized System (HS) Code
  • 6-10 digit code that classifies products for customs
  • Different countries use different HS code formats
  • Determines Duties: Customs officials use HS codes to calculate import duties and taxes
  • Prevents Delays: Incorrect codes trigger manual review and delays
  • Legal Requirement: Required for all international commercial shipments
Country of Origin
  • Where the product was manufactured or substantially transformed
  • Not where it’s shipped from
  • Required Field: Must appear on all commercial invoices
  • Trade Agreements: Affects duty rates under free trade agreements
  • Compliance: Some countries have restrictions based on country of origin
Declared Value
  • The value declared to customs for duty calculation
  • Jetpack uses “Value for Customs” field if specified
  • Defaults to retail price if not set
  • Duty Calculation: Customs duties are calculated as percentage of declared value
  • Gifts/Samples: Can be set lower than retail for gifts or promotional items
  • Insurance: May affect shipment insurance coverage
Product Description
  • Clear, specific description of the product
  • Generic terms like “merchandise” are not sufficient
  • Customs Clearance: Vague descriptions cause delays and manual review
  • Classification: Helps customs verify HS code accuracy
  • Compliance: Required for customs documentation

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Updating Product Customs Information

To review or update customs information for your products:
1

Navigate to Products

In your Jetpack dashboard.
2

Select the product you want to edit

3

Scroll to International Shipping or Customs Information

4

Update the customs fields

Update the following fields:
  • HS Code - Enter the correct harmonized system code
  • Country of Origin - Select the manufacturing country
  • Customs Value - Set a custom value if different from retail price
  • Product Description - Ensure it’s clear and specific
5

Click Save

For bulk updates across many products, you can export your product catalog, update customs fields in a spreadsheet, and reimport. See Bulk Updating Product Details for instructions.
HS codes vary by country and product category. Use official customs resources like the US International Trade Commission’s HTS database or your destination country’s customs website to find correct codes. When in doubt, contact Jetpack Care or a customs broker for guidance.

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Account-Level Customs Preferences

In addition to product-level information, you can configure account-level customs preferences that apply to all international shipments:

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Commercial Invoice Format

Standard Format - Jetpack’s default commercial invoice template includes all required customs fields and meets international standards. Custom Format - Upload your own commercial invoice template if you have specific branding or formatting requirements. Custom templates require Jetpack Care approval to ensure they meet all legal requirements. To use a custom template, contact Jetpack Care with your template file.

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Signature on File

Jetpack can include your authorized signature on commercial invoices for customs purposes. This eliminates the need to manually sign each invoice. To set up signature on file:
1

Contact Jetpack Care

2

Provide authorization and signature specimen

3

Jetpack adds your signature to the commercial invoice template

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EORI Number (European Union)

If you ship to the European Union, you may need an Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number. This number identifies your business for customs purposes in EU member states. To configure your EORI number:
1

Navigate to Customs Information

Go to Settings > Shipping Preferences > Customs Information.
2

Enter your EORI number

3

Click Save

Your EORI number will automatically appear on commercial invoices for all EU-bound shipments.
As of Brexit, EORI numbers are required for shipments from the UK to EU countries and vice versa. Shipments without valid EORI numbers may be delayed or rejected by customs.

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Troubleshooting Common Customs Issues

Here are the most common customs-related problems and how to resolve them:
IssuePossible CausesSolution
Customs Delays or Holds
  • Missing or incorrect HS codes
  • Vague product descriptions (e.g., “merchandise”, “goods”)
  • Missing country of origin
  • Declared value doesn’t match actual value
  • Review your Product Catalog and ensure all customs fields are complete
  • Verify HS codes against official customs databases
  • Update product descriptions to be specific and detailed
  • Check that country of origin is set for all products
Unexpected Duties and Taxes Charged to Recipient
  • Incorrect HS code causing wrong product classification
  • Declared value set too high
  • Missing customs preferences like EORI number
  • Trade agreements not applied due to missing origin data
  • Verify HS codes are correct for the product and destination country
  • Consider adjusting customs value for gifts or promotional samples
  • Ensure EORI number is configured for EU shipments
  • Confirm country of origin is accurately set
Shipment Rejected or Returned
  • Prohibited items for destination country
  • Missing required documentation
  • Value exceeds de minimis threshold without proper duties paid
  • Recipient unable to pay duties
  • Check Prohibited + Restricted Items policies
  • Review destination country import regulations
  • Consider DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) shipping for high-value items
  • Communicate duty expectations to customers at checkout

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Best Practices for International Shipping

Always Configure Customs Information:
  • Don’t ship internationally until all products have complete customs data
  • Review and update customs information when adding new products
  • Audit customs data quarterly to ensure accuracy
Be Specific with Descriptions:
  • Use detailed product descriptions, not generic terms
  • Include materials, intended use, and key features
  • Example: “Men’s Cotton T-Shirt, Size Large” not “Apparel”
Understand Destination Requirements:
  • Research import regulations for your target countries
  • Some countries have unique documentation requirements
  • Certain product categories require additional permits or certifications
Communicate with Customers:
  • Inform customers that international orders may incur duties and taxes
  • Display estimated delivery times that account for customs clearance
  • Provide tracking information so customers can monitor customs status
For more guidance on shipping internationally, see Sending Inventory Across Borders.

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Let’s Dive Deeper

Shipping Preferences Overview

Back to the main shipping preferences guide

Automation Rules

Create conditional fulfillment logic

Managing Products

Update product information and customs data

Sending Inventory Across Borders

International shipping best practices

Product Details Page

Configure product-level settings

Choosing Default Carriers

Configure carrier selection and mapping
Jetpack

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Questions? Contact Jetpack Care.

If you have any questions or run into issues, you can always contact Jetpack Care for help. Our team is always here to assist via Slack, phone, or email!