Consular Invoices

A Consular Invoice is a document containing a detailed statement of goods shipped certified by the consul at the point of shipment.  Consular invoices may be required by various countries to facilitate customs processing of the shipment at its destination.  Consular invoices are also necessary to facilitate the collection of taxes and duties. Consular invoices include the seller/shipper/owner's declaration of the value of the shipment, and must contain a full description of the goods exported, as well as all discounts or rebates being offered.

Consular invoices are certified by the consul of the destination country, and generally include a sworn statement not only as to the accuracy of the declarations made, but also as to the fact that there are no other invoices for the same shipment. The purpose of a consular invoice is to provide the foreign customs officials with a complete and detailed description of the goods so that the correct import duty can be levied.  

The foreign Consul proves the required forms. Once completed, the Consul will affix a stamp or certification to the consular invoice. When Consular Invoices are required, the consul or embassy of the country to which the goods are being shipped by the seller must approve the consular invoice(s).  There is sometimes a fee charged by the Consul for this service.  Some countries impose fines for each omission or errors. For example, some countries penalize the buyer or seller for the use of ditto marks, or for going outside of the assigned box in responding to a specific question.

The number of Consular invoice copies requested varies considerably from country to country. The Consul will always keeps a copy for its files, and another that is forwarded to the customs office at the destination. The stamped copies that the Counsel returns to the shipper /seller /exporter are often forwarded to the importer for presentation to the customs officials when the importer declares his or her goods.

A Consular invoice should arrive as closely as possible to the time the goods arrive, but not after the goods arrive. Delay in receipt of the consular invoice and any other documents are frequently penalized by the customs of the importing country.  Generally, a Consular invoice is a copy of the commercial invoice in the language of the country giving full details of the merchandise shipped. The invoice must show, in addition to information about the materials or merchandise, the name of the vessel that carries the cargo, the port of shipment, and the port or point of destination.

© 2011 by Michael C. Dennis.  All Rights Reserved.  Mr. Dennis is the author of "1001 Collection Tools and Tips" and can be reached by email at mcdennis13@yahoo.com