Commercial Invoice Authentication

Purpose of Authentication

A commercial invoice is often required for international shipments to support customs clearance, valuation, and import approval. When used outside the United States, the document may need authentication to confirm it was issued by the exporter and is valid for acceptance by foreign customs or regulatory authorities.

Authentication is commonly requested for high-value shipments, regulated goods, or specific destination country requirements.

Required Processing Steps

Commercial invoice documents typically follow this process:

• Review of the issued commercial invoice

• Notarization, if required by the destination country

• State authentication, when notarized

• U.S. Department of State processing, if applicable

• Apostille or embassy legalization based on the destination country

Processing requirements depend on how the invoice was prepared and signed.

Important Notes and Requirements

• The commercial invoice must be complete and signed correctly

• Company names, addresses, and product details must match shipping documents

• Certified copies may be required if originals cannot be submitted

• Inconsistencies or missing information are a common cause of delays

Accuracy is critical for acceptance by customs authorities.

How DC Consular Helps

DC Consular provides end-to-end handling for commercial invoice authentication. We review document compliance, coordinate notarization when required, and manage apostille or embassy legalization through the correct authorities.

Our service reduces delays and ensures your shipping documents meet international requirements.

Start Your Commercial Invoice Authentication

Submit your commercial invoice to DC Consular to begin secure and compliant processing. Our team ensures your document is authenticated properly for international use.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a commercial invoice?
It is a shipping document issued by the exporter that provides details about the goods, value, and parties involved in an international transaction.

Do I need a commercial invoice for documents?
Requirements vary by country, but many destinations require a commercial invoice even for document-only shipments.

How to fill out a commercial invoice?
It must include accurate exporter and importer details, item descriptions, quantities, values, and signatures.

What is the difference between commercial invoice and proforma invoice?
A commercial invoice is used for actual shipments, while a proforma invoice is typically issued before shipment for estimation or approval purposes.

How to create a commercial invoice?
It is created by the exporter using standard trade formats and completed with accurate shipment and pricing information.