Commercial Invoice & Packing List for China Exports: Requirements

Every China-to-USA shipment requires a commercial invoice and packing list. Errors on these documents are a leading cause of customs delays, duty disputes, and cargo examinations.

Commercial Invoice: Required Fields

• Seller/exporter name, address, and contact
• Buyer/importer name, address, and EIN
• Invoice number and date
• Product description (detailed — not just "goods")
• HS/HTS code for each item
• Quantity, unit price, and total value (USD)
• Country of origin (China)
• Incoterm (FOB, CIF, DDP, etc.)
• Payment terms

Packing List: Required Fields

• Shipper and consignee details
• Number of cartons/pallets and total gross/net weight
• Dimensions per carton (for CBM verification)
• Contents of each carton (SKU-level detail)
• Container number (if FCL)

The packing list must match the commercial invoice and bill of lading exactly. Discrepancies trigger customs holds.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Undervaluing goods to reduce duties (illegal — severe penalties)
• Vague product descriptions ("plastic items" instead of "polypropylene food containers")
• Missing or wrong HS codes
• Invoice value not matching payment records

GSC prepares and verifies export documents for every DDP shipment. See our full import documents checklist.