Commercial Invoice Template for Netherlands

A Commercial Invoice acts as your official bill of sale when shipping goods internationally from the Netherlands. It lists exactly what you're selling, how much it costs, and who's buying it - making it a crucial document for both customs clearance and tax purposes.

Dutch businesses need this document to prove the value of their exports, calculate VAT accurately, and comply with EU trade regulations. Beyond the basic sales details, it includes key information like your EORI number, Harmonized System codes, and delivery terms. Banks and freight forwarders also rely on commercial invoices to process international payments and handle shipping documentation.

Use a Commercial Invoice every time you ship goods outside the Netherlands - it's essential for clearing Dutch customs and completing your export documentation. This applies to all international sales, from single items to large container shipments, including both B2B and B2C transactions.

You need to prepare this document before your goods leave the country, typically as part of your shipping paperwork. It's particularly important when dealing with non-EU countries, where customs officials use it to assess import duties and taxes. Dutch tax authorities also require commercial invoices for VAT reporting and to verify export declarations.

• Commercial Invoice For International Shipping: Standard format for regular export transactions with complete pricing and commercial terms
• Proforma Invoice For International Shipping: Preliminary version used for customs clearance before final sale
• Invoice For Customs Purposes Only: Simplified version specifically for customs declaration, often used for non-commercial shipments
• Packing List And Commercial Invoice: Combined document detailing both commercial terms and shipping contents
• Commercial Invoice Pro Forma Invoice: Hybrid format offering both final and preliminary invoice information

• Exporters: Dutch companies selling goods abroad create and issue commercial invoices, ensuring accurate product descriptions and pricing details
• Customs Officials: Review and verify invoice details for duty calculations, import/export compliance, and trade statistics
• Freight Forwarders: Use these documents to prepare shipping documentation and arrange international transport
• Banks: Process international payments and letters of credit based on commercial invoice details
• Tax Authorities: Monitor VAT compliance and verify export declarations through commercial invoice records
• Importers: Rely on these documents for customs clearance in their country and proof of purchase value

• Company Details: Gather both seller's and buyer's complete legal names, addresses, VAT numbers, and EORI numbers
• Product Information: List exact descriptions, quantities, unit prices, and total values in both EUR and destination currency
• Shipping Terms: Specify Incoterms, delivery conditions, and payment terms clearly
• Classification Codes: Look up correct HS codes for all products being exported
• Documentation: Include invoice number, date, purchase order reference, and any special customs requirements
• Final Check: Review all calculations, ensure compliance with Dutch export regulations, and verify all required fields are complete

• Header Information: Complete business details of seller and buyer, including VAT numbers, EORI numbers, and date of issue
• Product Details: Detailed description, quantity, unit price, and total amount for each item as per Dutch tax requirements
• Trade Terms: Specified Incoterms, delivery conditions, and payment terms following EU regulations
• Financial Information: Currency used, exchange rates if applicable, and total invoice value clearly stated
• Customs Data: Country of origin, HS codes, and net/gross weights for each product line
• Legal Declarations: Required customs statements and export control information as per Dutch law
• Authentication: Company stamp, authorized signature, and sequential invoice numbering

While a Commercial Invoice and an Invoice Form might seem similar, they serve distinctly different purposes in Dutch business transactions. The key differences focus on their use, legal requirements, and content scope.

• Legal Status: Commercial Invoices must meet strict Dutch customs and international trade requirements, while standard Invoice Forms only need to satisfy basic domestic tax regulations
• Required Information: Commercial Invoices demand additional details like HS codes, EORI numbers, and country of origin declarations - elements not needed in regular Invoice Forms
• Purpose: Commercial Invoices facilitate international trade and customs clearance, while Invoice Forms primarily document domestic sales transactions
• Currency Requirements: Commercial Invoices often need values in multiple currencies and must follow specific exchange rate rules; Invoice Forms typically use EUR only
• Documentation Chain: Commercial Invoices form part of a broader export documentation package, unlike Invoice Forms which usually stand alone