Create customs documentation

Express carriers such as UPS, FedEx and DHL will apply line-item fees for each additional classification line after a certain number of entries. The line-item fee varies by country and currency. It is also expensive, per the additional classification line into Canada, UPS charges 4.50 CAD, DHL 4 CAD and FedEx 3 CAD.

The commercial invoice produced by the Zonos Customs feature will consolidate the line items by HS code and country of origin. This will help reduce the chances of extra charges by the carrier whenever possible.

Here is an example of a cart before and after being sent through the Customs feature:

To ensure items are properly classified by customs, Zonos will assign a description based on a combination of your item description and the HS code. This description can be used to fill out the commercial invoice.

Note: This is currently available only for apparel and accessories in chapters 62 and 63.

If you are using the Customs API, the response will return a list of items including your item identifier sent in the request with the proper description for customs clearance.

{
  "id": "cstm_1Ce6vt2eZvKYlo2CrgzPqxaz",
  "items": [
    {
      "id": "294395",
      "amount": 16.25,
      "country_of_origin": "CN",
      "description": "Women’s T-shirt Knitted 100% Cotton",
      "hs_code": "6206.30.00"
    },
    {
      "id": "294395",
      "amount": 22.5,
      "country_of_origin": "CN",
      "description": "Hat Knitted 100% Cotton",
      "hs_code": "6505.00.39"
    },
    {
      "id": "294395",
      "amount": 21.0,
      "country_of_origin": "CN",
      "description": "Slippers 100% Cotton",
      "hs_code": "6403.99.91"
    }
  ]
}

Commercial invoices can be created with the item amounts in the currency of the export or import country. However, a landed cost calculation vs the final landed cost charged can be impacted by the chosen currency listed on the commercial invoice. Since currency exchange rates are always moving, any gap in time between the time of the landed cost calculation to the time of customs clearance can impact the total landed cost.

If you produce your shipping labels and customs documentation in Dashboard the commercial invoice will be produced in the currency of the destination country based on the exchange rate used at the time of the landed cost calculation.

Zonos can produce the customs documentation using the exchange rate at the time of sale. In the example below, you can see the unit price converted from USD to EUR for the commercial invoice. Only the EUR price would be the displayed price on the commercial invoice (the USD price would not be shown).

The main benefit of creating a commercial invoice in the country of import’s currency is that the landed cost calculation will better match the calculation at the time of customs clearance. This will help avoid being charged too much or too little in duties, taxes, and fees at the time of sale.

Below is the example of the unit price getting converted to EUR.

	Description	Qty	HS Code	Unit Price
1	Women’s T-shirt Knitted	3	6206.30.00	16.25 USD 14.59 EUR
2	Hat Knitted	2	6505.00.39	22.50 USD 20.20 EUR
3	Slippers	2	6403.99.91	21.00 USD 14.59 EUR

If you are using the Customs API, the response will return the currency type that correlates to all the amounts in the object. In the below example, 14.95 represents EUR.

{
  "id": "cstm_1Ce6vt2eZvKYlo2CrgzPqxaz",
  "currency": "EUR",
  "items": [
    {
      "id": "294395",
      "amount": 14.59
    }
  ]
}

Each country of import may require different information for the broker or clearing agent to clear the shipment. If a commercial invoice is incomplete, it may cause issues with customs clearance. Alternatively, an attempt to get every commercial invoice produced with non-applicable information for the country of import, may result in conflicting information or unnecessary clutter.

Here are just a few examples of differing requirements by country:

Zonos' commercial invoice information is created with each individual import country in mind and will contain any necessary and pertinent information to streamline the clearance process.

A certificate of origin may be required for an import if the value of goods is higher than 2,500 USD or if you are looking to receive preferential treatment from a trade agreement.

When shipping in Dashboard a certificate of origin will automatically print when required and will be available for all shipments optionally through a separate download.

The Customs API will return a list of attachments including the attachment for the certificate of origin.

{
  "id": "cstm_1Ce6vt2eZvKYlo2CrgzPqxaz",
  "attachments": [
    {
      "file": "https://cdn.zonos.com/commercial_invoice/cstm_1Ce6vt2eZvKYlo2CrgzPqxaz.pdf",
      "type": "commercial_invoice"
    },
    {
      "file": "https://cdn.zonos.com/certificate_of_origin/cstm_rD0tKTN3t0W9136Gjqez.pdf",
      "type": "certificate_of_origin"
    }
  ]
}

A declaration statement on a commercial invoice is typically optional, however in some cases it may be required. For instance, for the New Zealand low-value goods law, any registered company with a GST number will need to declare on the commercial invoice that the GST will be remitted and list their GST number.

Dashboard will produce the commercial invoice with the needed declaration statement automatically insert the required declaration statement. You can also customize and input statement of your liking when you process labels in Dashboard.

The Customs API will return the commercial invoice in a PDF format as well as return the declaration statement in the reference_information list on the customs object.

{
  "id": "cstm_1Ce6vt2eZvKYlo2CrgzPqxaz",
  "reference_information": [
    {
      "description": "I hereby certify that the information on this invoice is true and correct and the contents and value of this shipment are as stated.",
      "label": "Declaration Statement",
      "type": "declaration_statement"
    }
  ]
}

For exports from the United States with goods valued over 2,500 USD, an EEI is required to be filed with the US Bureau’s Foreign Trade Division.

Zonos can file the EEI on your behalf through AESDirect. You can print the completed documents in Dashboard or retrieve the EEI documents and information through the Customs API.

Note: For Zonos to complete an EEI on your behalf, a completed Power of Attorney form is required.