When you have an online e-commerce shop, creating a commercial invoice is a top priority among all the tasks already on your busy plate!
If you’re running your own e-commerce shop, chances are you’re also doing your accounting. This can be difficult when you’re just getting started, managing your expenses, and navigating systems. Creating a commercial invoice should be at the top of your accounting priorities, but where do you begin? Keep reading to learn what you should include on your commercial invoice.
You may want to consider using one the top eCommerce website builders that have eCommerce features such as invoices built into the controls and features. It can make the following steps easier to do.
Be Clear This Is A Commercial Invoice
You want to be clear as possible that this document is an official commercial invoice. You want to include the word invoice at the top of your document. You might also want to include courier details, a debit note, and a delivery note.
A Unique Invoice Serial Number
This commercial invoice is an official tax document, so you want to ensure each invoice has its unique serial number. Simply put, this serial number should be greater than your previous serial number. If you have a more complex system, you may want the serial number to correspond with each financial year, customer, and product category.
Your Official Business Name & Any Secondary Names
Your invoice must have all of your business names. If your e-commerce company has any other names, you also want to mention those. Some resources like Adobe Express invoice templates have invoice templates you can use or follow.
Contact Information
At the very least, you will want to include the city and country of your business, so the location of your taxation is clear. You might also want to include your mailing address, contact phone number, or e-mail address.
Taxation and Other Business Registration Codes
If you add tax, you must include your registration codes for that kind of tax. Depending upon your location, you might also need to list your tax ID on the invoice.
Client Details
Your invoice is a bearer instrument, meaning it’s not the property of the person who has it. Meaning it has to be addressed to a specific entity. So you need to list the buyer.
Usually, an official full name is enough, but some e-commerce merchants also want a street and e-mail address.
Item Description
Here you will want to include the name of the item, its size and type (if applicable), quality, unit price, and total price of every item the customer buys.
Additions and Deductions to Costs
If there are any fees or discounts, you will need to note that. Fees like postage, taxation, shipping handling, or any previous outstanding dues. Subtractions could be coupons, credits, discounts, or anything like that.
Details and Modes of Payment
You’ll want to mention the various methods of payment the customer can use to pay your company. This could be where the check should be made out to or a PayPal ID.
Terms and Conditions
If there are terms and conditions of the sale, like the return policy, you will want to mention this on our invoice. Common terms and conditions include details about returns, refunds, warranties, repairs, and guarantees.
Make Your E-Commerce Invoice Today
Now that you know the template for a commercial e-commerce invoice, you can start invoicing your customers today. Make sure you know and comply with other various templates and regulations too because it is essential to ensuring your business remains compliant. The PEPPOL template is an important one for businesses to know about. If you’ve never heard of it and you are wondering what is Peppol, make sure you learn more. Ensure you stay on top of your invoices and keep them organized to keep your accounting in order.
