A commercial invoice for textiles states what was sold, to whom, on what terms and at what value, while the packing list for garments or fabric states how it was packed. Customs reads them together, so every quantity, weight and description must agree.
Most delays come not from missing papers but from two papers that disagree. Below are the fields to include and the checks to make before the exporter sends the set.
What goes on a textile commercial invoice?
The invoice is the document customs uses to assess duty, so it needs full detail:
- Exporter and consignee names, addresses and tax or import registration numbers.
- Invoice number, date and the purchase order reference.
- Incoterm and named place, such as FOB Mundra or CIF a named port, as explained in FOB, CIF or DAP.
- A description of each item that names the fibre, knitted or woven, construction and style or article number.
- The tariff code agreed with your broker, quantity, unit and total value in the invoice currency.
- Country of origin and payment terms.
Why does a vague description cause trouble?
A vague line such as garments or fabric is a common reason for customs queries. Fibre content and whether the goods are knitted or woven decide the code.
What goes on a garment packing list?
A garment packing list shows each carton: carton number, style, colour, size breakdown, pieces per carton, net weight, gross weight and carton dimensions. If garments are packed in assortments, the ratio of sizes per carton should be stated, as in flat, hanging and assortment packing.
Totals at the end should give total cartons, total pieces, total net and gross weight and total volume. Your forwarder uses these to book space and your broker uses them to check against the invoice.
What changes for fabric and yarn?
For fabric, the packing list should show each roll or bale with its length in metres, width, weight and lot or batch number, so rolls from one shade lot can be traced. Yarn lists cones or cartons, net and gross weight and count.
Where your market measures by weight, area or length, show all of them if you can. Customs may need a particular unit for statistics even when the sale is by metre.
Which mismatches cause delays?
Check these before the documents leave the exporter.
- Quantities or totals that differ between invoice, packing list and bill of lading.
- Gross weight on the packing list lower than net weight, or a weight that disagrees with the verified gross mass.
- A product description that does not match the tariff code or the origin certificate.
- Missing Incoterm or a value that excludes freight when the term includes it.
Where is the full document set listed?
See the export document checklist for textiles and the document pack your broker will ask for for the full set.
Next step
We check draft documents against the order and the goods before loading. To have this done for your next shipment, book a free sourcing review.