Automate Your International Shipping with Customs Buddy
Create commercial invoices for your Shopify orders without any hassle using Customs Buddy. Transforming international shipping by automating invoice generation, we are here to streamline your business processes. Let us handle the complexities of shipping for you.
Mastering International Trade with Customs Buddy
What happens when you send your product abroad? How is it different from sending a gift to your distant relative? International trade is a complicated and well-regulated space. Countries protect their interests by imposing taxes on some imports or, contrary, allowing their economies to grow more rapidly by enabling products without tax.
What makes this even more interesting is that these rules are constantly changing. National customs employ many people to deal with all these imports. Goods are examined, their cost is evaluated, and import duties are applied, if applicable.
Global markets opened many opportunities for international trade, and even if you work in a very narrow niche, you can still boost your sales by delivering worldwide. As a shop, you are interested in providing the best experience to your customer, including fair prices and reasonable shipping time.
When it comes to international shipping, we first think about shipping prices. Then one of the significant contributors to the product price is customs duty.
Here is where a document "commercial invoice" comes into play. Its purpose is to simplify customs clearance and speed-up things. For customs, a document correctly describing imported goods makes their work productive.
For the shop, this ensures the shipment is assessed correctly and timely. So it sounds like a win-win. Here is the deal, someone needs to take time to create such a document. Or in the absence of the proper commercial invoice, someone on the customs side needs to figure out what is in the shipment.
The question here is who will do the job. We have seen companies using templates or crafting each declaration by hand. Neither of these scales.
To make your sales as smooth as possible, we have created a solution to generate valid commercial invoices in an automated way by using as much existing information from your Shopify as possible.
So it is we who spent time and did this right, and you are welcome to use it for your benefit.
When do I need a commercial invoice?
A commercial invoice is typically required when you engage in international trade or commercial transactions involving the shipment of goods. It serves as a crucial document for customs authorities, freight forwarders, and other parties involved in the import/export process. Here are some situations where you would typically need a commercial invoice:
International shipments
When exporting goods to another country or importing goods from abroad, a commercial invoice is necessary to comply with customs regulations. It provides details about the shipment's contents, value, and other relevant information for customs clearance.
Customs clearance
When your goods arrive at a foreign port or airport, customs officials require a commercial invoice to assess the applicable duties, taxes, and customs fees. The invoice helps determine the value of the goods and confirms the transaction between the buyer and seller.
Proof of ownership and payment
A commercial invoice serves as proof of ownership and indicates that the buyer is responsible for paying the seller for the goods. It includes details such as the buyer's and seller's names, addresses, and contact information, as well as the terms of payment.
Legal and financial purposes
A commercial invoice is used for various legal and financial purposes. It helps both the buyer and seller maintain accurate records of their transactions, facilitates payment processing, and may be required by banks or financial institutions for financing or documentary credit purposes.
Compliance with trade regulations
In many countries, including the United States, a commercial invoice is required to comply with trade regulations and ensure proper documentation of international transactions. It helps authorities monitor trade flows, prevent fraud, and ensure accurate reporting of imports and exports.
It's important to note that specific requirements for commercial invoices may vary by country and depend on the nature of the goods being shipped. It's advisable to consult with customs authorities or a trade expert to ensure compliance with applicable regulations for your specific situation.
Testimonials
This app had made creating commercial invoices a one-click operation. Not literally, it's actually 4 clicks, but it is awesome and so easy! You put in your info once, and then you can automatically generate invoices from your order page. The developer is super responsive, and they're actively working to make the app even better. Thanks for creating a great app!
This app is amazing and the customer service too. Andrii went above and beyond to make some custom changes for us so that we had everything we needed. The invoice is perfect for customs clearance now. I recommend! Thank you so much once again :)
A Quick cheap and simple commercial invoice with a clear layout taking the stress out of international shipping. Andrii is super helpful and fast to answer any emails, they even made several changes after our request. Amazing!
Forms work great, effortless setup. Saves us time from having to input missing order details like the order number and recipient contact information. Amazing customer service and responsiveness. Five Stars!
Get Started with Customs Buddy Now
Ready to simplify your international shipping? Click below to add Customs Buddy to your Shopify store. Start creating commercial invoices effortlessly today!