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.
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)
Required Product Information
To ensure accurate customs documentation, you’ll need to configure the following information for each product in your catalog: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
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.
Account-Level Customs Preferences
In addition to product-level information, you can configure account-level customs preferences that apply to all international shipments: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.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
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
Troubleshooting Common Customs Issues
Here are the most common customs-related problems and how to resolve them: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
- Use detailed product descriptions, not generic terms
- Include materials, intended use, and key features
- Example: “Men’s Cotton T-Shirt, Size Large” not “Apparel”
- Research import regulations for your target countries
- Some countries have unique documentation requirements
- Certain product categories require additional permits or certifications
- 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
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
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!