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Commercial Invoice
I need a commercial invoice for exporting goods from Austria to Germany, including detailed descriptions of the products, their quantities, unit prices, and total value. The document should also include the buyer and seller's information, terms of sale, and the applicable Incoterms.
What is a Commercial Invoice?
A Commercial Invoice is your key document for international trade in Austria, showing all the essential details of a sale between you and your foreign business partners. It lists what you're selling, how much it costs, and the terms of sale - working as both a customs declaration and proof of the transaction.
Under Austrian and EU trade laws, you'll need this document to clear customs, calculate import duties, and prove VAT compliance. It must include specific details like your Austrian VAT number, product descriptions, country of origin, and Incoterms. Banks also rely on Commercial Invoices when processing international payments or trade finance.
When should you use a Commercial Invoice?
Use a Commercial Invoice every time you ship goods across Austrian borders, both for exports and imports. This document becomes essential the moment your business starts trading internationally - from selling machinery to German clients to importing raw materials from Italy. Austrian customs officials require it for clearing your shipments and calculating duties.
The timing matters: prepare your Commercial Invoice before shipping, as you need it ready when booking freight, arranging trade finance, or applying for export permits. Austrian tax authorities also expect this documentation during VAT audits, so having it properly completed from the start saves time and prevents costly delays at customs checkpoints.
What are the different types of Commercial Invoice?
- Commercial Invoice For Export: Basic export version meeting Austrian customs requirements for sending goods abroad
- Commercial Invoice For International Shipping: Enhanced version with detailed shipping terms and logistics information
- Proforma Invoice For International Shipping: Preliminary version used for customs valuation before final sale
- Commercial Invoice And Proforma Invoice: Combined template for both preliminary and final transaction documentation
- Packing List And Commercial Invoice: Integrated version including detailed cargo specifications and values
Who should typically use a Commercial Invoice?
- Exporters: Create and issue Commercial Invoices when shipping goods from Austria, ensuring accuracy of product details and pricing
- Customs Officials: Review invoices to assess duties, verify compliance with trade regulations, and clear shipments at Austrian borders
- Freight Forwarders: Handle documentation for their clients and submit Commercial Invoices to relevant authorities
- Finance Departments: Process payments, maintain records for tax purposes, and ensure VAT compliance
- Trade Banks: Use these invoices as supporting documents for letters of credit and international payments
- Tax Authorities: Audit Commercial Invoices to verify proper reporting of international transactions and VAT calculations
How do you write a Commercial Invoice?
- Company Details: Gather your Austrian VAT number, business registration details, and complete contact information
- Product Information: List exact descriptions, quantities, unit prices, and harmonized system (HS) codes for each item
- Trade Terms: Specify Incoterms 2020, payment conditions, and delivery terms clearly
- Origin Details: Document country of origin for each product and include any preferential origin declarations
- Shipping Data: Note package counts, gross/net weights, and dimensions in metric units
- Currency Information: State prices in agreed currency and include exchange rates if required by Austrian customs
- Final Review: Double-check all calculations and ensure compliance with Austrian VAT regulations
What should be included in a Commercial Invoice?
- Header Information: Full company details, VAT numbers, and invoice date/number as per Austrian UStG requirements
- Product Details: Precise descriptions, quantities, unit prices, and total amounts in compliance with Austrian trade law
- Trade Terms: Incoterms 2020, delivery conditions, and payment terms following EU regulations
- Value Declaration: Total invoice amount, currency, and any applicable discounts or charges
- Origin Statement: Country of origin and customs tariff numbers (HS codes) for each item
- Shipping Details: Transport mode, package counts, weights, and dimensions
- Certification: Statement confirming invoice accuracy and authenticity as required by Austrian customs
What's the difference between a Commercial Invoice and an Invoice Form?
A Commercial Invoice differs significantly from a standard Invoice Form in several key aspects, particularly in Austrian international trade. While both documents record sales transactions, their legal requirements and applications vary considerably under Austrian and EU law.
- Legal Status: Commercial Invoices serve as official customs declarations and must comply with strict international trade regulations, while standard Invoice Forms only need to meet basic Austrian tax requirements
- Required Information: Commercial Invoices demand additional details like HS codes, country of origin, and Incoterms; standard invoices only need basic transaction details
- Usage Context: Commercial Invoices are specifically for cross-border trade and customs clearance, while standard invoices handle domestic transactions
- Regulatory Oversight: Commercial Invoices face scrutiny from customs authorities and must meet EU export documentation standards; standard invoices only need to satisfy Austrian tax authorities
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