Guide

Commercial Invoice for Shopify Orders — Full Guide

Step-by-step guide to preparing, generating, and sending commercial invoices for Shopify international orders: which orders need one, what fields to include, how to use the Shopify CSV export, and how to connect to the TariffCatalog Commercial Invoice Generator.

Generate a commercial invoice draftOfficial Sources

When Shopify orders need a commercial invoice

A commercial invoice is required for international Shopify orders when the carrier requires it for customs clearance in the destination country. This applies to most express and air freight shipments, and for orders above the destination country's de minimis threshold. Shopify does not automatically attach a commercial invoice — merchants must generate and send one to the carrier or include it with the shipment.

What a commercial invoice for Shopify orders must include

A commercial invoice for a Shopify order must include: seller and buyer names and addresses, Shopify order number and date, line-item descriptions, quantity, unit value, and total shipment value, currency, HS code candidates, country of origin for each item, Incoterms (usually DDU/DAP for Shopify orders), reason for export (sale, gift, return, sample).

Using the Shopify CSV export for commercial invoice preparation

The Shopify CSV export can supply product title, SKU, quantity, and price for the commercial invoice. The Country of Origin field can be added to Shopify products and exported via the Shopify CSV export for customs data. Connect the CSV export to the TariffCatalog CSV Catalog Checker to identify missing HS code or origin fields before generating a commercial invoice.

Connecting Shopify orders to the Commercial Invoice Generator

Enter the Shopify order line items into the Commercial Invoice Generator. The generator accepts product descriptions, quantities, values, HS code candidates, and origin. Review the result as a draft before filing or sending to the carrier.

Common mistakes for Shopify commercial invoices

Missing HS codes: many Shopify product exports do not include HS codes by default — add the HS code field to each Shopify product and export it. Incorrect declared value: use the price actually paid on the Shopify order, not the retail storefront price before discounts. Wrong country of origin: the country of origin is the country where the product was manufactured or substantially transformed, not the warehouse country.

Source note

Use the Commercial Invoice Generator to prepare a draft, verify the HS codes and origin in official tariff databases, and review with your freight forwarder or carrier before filing.

Maintainer

Reviewed by Ryan Cole

Ryan Cole maintains TariffCatalog from the perspective of a long-time ecommerce operator with 15+ years of experience in product catalog, international shipping, and pre-shipment data workflows. This page is reviewed for guide workflow clarity, source-check clarity, and estimate-only or candidate-only wording.

TariffCatalog is a preparation aid, not a customs broker, legal, tax, or freight-forwarding service. Verify final classifications, rates, documents, and filing treatment with official sources or qualified professionals.

Official source note

References to verify

USITC HTS

Use this official source when checking final classification, duty treatment, or customs requirements.

CBP

Use this official source when checking final classification, duty treatment, or customs requirements.

EU TARIC

Use this official source when checking final classification, duty treatment, or customs requirements.

UK Trade Tariff

Use this official source when checking final classification, duty treatment, or customs requirements.

Related Tool

Turn the guide into a workflow

Use the connected tool to prepare an estimate, draft, or cleanup report. Final filings should still be verified with official sources.

Generate a commercial invoice draft
FAQ

Common questions

Does Shopify automatically generate commercial invoices?

No. Shopify does not automatically generate commercial invoices for international orders. The merchant is responsible for preparing or sourcing one and attaching it to the shipment or sending it to the carrier. Shopify Shipping labels do not substitute for a commercial invoice.

Where do I find the country of origin in Shopify?

The country of origin must be added to each Shopify product manually in the product editor, under Additional Information or a custom country of origin field. The Shopify CSV Catalog Checker can identify products missing this field.

Do Shopify orders under $20 need a commercial invoice?

De minimis thresholds vary by country. An order under the destination country's de minimis threshold may qualify for simplified customs procedures and may not require a full commercial invoice. However, the carrier may still request documentation.

How do I add HS codes to Shopify products?

Add the HS code as a custom metafield or product tag in the Shopify product editor. Some Shopify apps allow bulk-editing HS codes via CSV import. The TariffCatalog CSV Catalog Checker can scan your Shopify CSV export for missing HS codes.

What happens if I ship internationally without a commercial invoice?

Without a commercial invoice, the carrier may hold the shipment for customs clearance, request additional documentation, or return the shipment to the sender.

Do dropshipped orders from AliExpress need commercial invoices?

Dropshipped orders that cross an international border still require a commercial invoice. The commercial invoice should reflect the actual transaction between the seller and buyer, including the country of origin of the goods.

Can I use a packing slip instead of a commercial invoice?

No. A packing slip lists items for the buyer's reference but is not a customs document. Use the Commercial Invoice Generator to prepare a proper commercial invoice draft.

Last reviewed: July 2026

Disclaimer

TariffCatalog provides informational tools and preparation workflows only. Verify final classification, rates, document requirements, and filing treatment with official sources or licensed professionals.