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Valued Packing List and Commercial Invoice for shipping goods from the USA

If accepted, a Valued Packing List (VPL) may substitute commercial invoices (CIs) when shipping goods internationally from the USA.

Commercial Invoice for International Shipping of Goods from the USA

A commercial invoice is essential for international shipping. You need to submit it with any shipment unless you have a valued packing list. Without it, your cargo can’t be released.

The invoice mainly helps determine customs duties upon arrival, but also aids in calculating marine cargo insurance and proving international trade for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Make sure your commercial invoices are in English and comply with Section 141.86 of U.S. customs regulations. They must include specific details about your shipment, such as:

• The port where the goods are to be shipped.  
• The full names, addresses, and contact info for both the seller (shipper) and the buyer.  
• A clear description of what’s being shipped.  
• The number and type of shipping units, along with their weight and size.  
• The value of each item in USD, based on the exchange rate when it was exported.  
• The country where the goods come from.  
• Any products or services that were used to make the imported goods that aren’t included in the invoice price (if there are any).  

A clear seller invoice or a detailed receipt from the buyer usually covers everything you need. If you’re buying and shipping or selling and shipping from the U.S., it’s a good idea to toss in a copy of the original invoice with your international shipment.

Valued Packing List for Shipping Goods from the USA

If you're sending commercial cargo and can't provide a sale-purchase receipt for some reason, you could try using a pro forma commercial invoice in the format of a valued packing list. This usually works, but just a heads-up—it might lead to some questions at customs.

Valued packing list for shipping household goods and personal effects from the USA overseas

When shipping household goods or personal stuff from the US, the best way to follow international shipping rules is to provide a valued packing list.

To avoid confusion for inexperienced shippers when completing a valued packing list, here are some helpful suggestions:

• When creating a packing list, keep it simple and clear about what you're shipping.
• If you don't have a specific item to list for international shipments of mixed household goods from the USA, use HS Code 4016.99.05.
• If your boxes have similar contents and values, combine them into one line instead of listing each separately. A rough weight estimate is fine if you don’t know the exact weight.
• For used items, assign a value like at a yard sale - there is no need for old receipts. Just keep in mind that customs may compare your value to market prices.

One common question people ask is, "How detailed should I be when describing what's in the boxes?" 

You don’t need to list every single item, like each spoon and fork you’re shipping, but your description should give a clear idea of what’s inside. For example, saying there are three boxes filled with used clothes, toys, and dishes, each weighing 60 lbs and valued at $600, works well.

On the flip side, you want to avoid vague descriptions. Avoid submitting something like “12 boxes with household goods,” with a total weight of 360 lbs and a value of $2,499.