Free Commercial Invoice
Generator Online
Create customs-ready commercial invoices for international trade in under 4 minutes. Incoterms, HS codes, IEC number, multi-currency, port details — instant PDF, 100% free, zero data stored on servers.
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PNG / JPG · Max 2 MBNote: Exports from India are generally zero-rated under GST. Add taxes only if applicable to your transaction.
| Description of Goods | HS / ITC-HS Code | Qty | Unit | Unit Price | Total Value |
|---|
🔒 ThinkForU Zero Data Storage Policy
Your export pricing, buyer information, and trade terms are highly sensitive commercial data. Unlike other online tools that upload your commercial invoices to cloud servers, ThinkForU's Commercial Invoice Generator runs entirely inside your browser — your data never leaves your device.
- All data — exporter details, buyer info, product descriptions, HS codes, prices — stays only in your browser's memory
- Nothing is uploaded to ThinkForU's servers, any cloud database, or analytics services
- PDFs are generated using JavaScript running locally on your device — no server-side rendering
- IEC numbers, GSTIN, LC references, and bank details are never transmitted or logged
- When you close or refresh the tab, all data is immediately cleared from memory
- Fully GDPR-aware and FEMA-conscious — complete data sovereignty stays with you
What is a Commercial Invoice?
A commercial invoice is a mandatory legal document issued by the exporter (seller) to the importer (buyer) that serves as the primary evidence of a sale transaction in international trade. It is used by customs authorities in both the exporting and importing countries to verify the shipment, classify goods using HS codes, and assess import duties and taxes. Banks require it to process Letters of Credit (LC) and international wire transfers. Insurance companies use it to value cargo. Without a complete and accurate commercial invoice, your shipment cannot be cleared by customs.
Export Document Flow — Where Does the Commercial Invoice Fit?
Commercial Invoice vs Proforma Invoice vs Tax Invoice
| Feature | Commercial Invoice | Proforma Invoice | Tax Invoice (GST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| When issued | After shipment — final bill | Before shipment — estimate | At time of domestic supply |
| Used for | Customs clearance, bank payment, insurance | Buyer's advance planning, LC opening | GST payment and ITC claims in India |
| Payment obligation | Yes — legally binding | No — advance estimate | Yes — creates GST liability |
| Includes Incoterms | Yes — mandatory | Yes — provisional | Not required |
| Required by customs | Yes — mandatory | Sometimes (for clearance prep) | No |
| Required by bank (LC) | Yes — primary document | No | No |
| GST charged on it | No — exports are zero-rated | No | Yes — CGST/SGST/IGST |
Incoterms 2020 Guide for Exporters
Incoterms (International Commercial Terms) are standardised trade terms published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) that define the responsibilities, costs, and risks between buyer and seller. Selecting the correct Incoterm on your commercial invoice is legally important — it determines who pays for freight, insurance, and is liable if goods are damaged in transit.
What Must a Commercial Invoice Include?
Under India's Foreign Trade Policy 2025 and DGFT guidelines, a complete commercial invoice for export must contain the following mandatory fields:
- Exporter details — Name, address, GSTIN, and IEC (Importer Exporter Code)
- Consignee details — Foreign buyer's name, full address, and country
- Invoice number and date — Unique sequential invoice number
- Buyer's Purchase Order reference
- Incoterms 2020 — FOB, CIF, EXW, etc., with the named port
- Port of Loading and Port of Discharge
- Country of Origin — For customs classification and preferential duty rates
- Description of goods — Clear, unambiguous description in English
- HS / ITC-HS Codes — 8-digit codes as required by 2025 DGFT update
- Quantity, unit of measurement, unit price, and total value
- Currency of transaction — As per FEMA regulations
- Payment terms — Advance, LC, D/P, D/A, Open Account
- Export declaration — GST zero-rating statement (LUT or with IGST)
- Authorised signature and company seal
GST on Commercial Invoices for Export from India
Exports from India are treated as zero-rated supplies under the IGST Act. This means the foreign buyer is not charged Indian GST. However, Indian exporters must choose one of two methods:
- Export under LUT (Letter of Undertaking) — Export without paying IGST, and claim refund of Input Tax Credit (ITC) on inputs used. The invoice declaration reads: "Zero-rated supply under LUT — IGST not applicable."
- Export with IGST payment — Pay IGST on the export and claim a refund from the GST department. The invoice must state: "Supply meant for export on payment of IGST."
Under FEMA regulations, the exporter must receive full payment in freely convertible foreign currency within 9 months from the date of shipment. The commercial invoice amount and the Bank Realisation Certificate (BRC) amount must match.
Why ThinkForU is the Best Free Commercial Invoice Generator
No other free tool covers all the export-specific fields Indian and global exporters need. Here's what makes ThinkForU the most complete choice: