Commercial Invoice
Learn what a Commercial Invoice is used for, what information it should contain, common mistakes to check for, and download a free editable template.
View Commercial Invoice GuideShipping Documents: Guides, Examples & Free Templates
Understand the documents used in international shipments, what information they contain, and which details should agree across them. Explore practical guides, examples and free editable templates for common shipping documents.
Document guides & templates
Packing List
Understand package details, quantities, net and gross weights, common Packing List mistakes and how the document should agree with the rest of the shipment.
View Packing List GuideBill of Lading (B/L)
Learn what a Bill of Lading contains, common mistakes, how it relates to other shipment documents, and download a free editable template.
View Bill of Lading GuideAir Waybill (AWB)
Learn about Air Waybills, MAWB vs HAWB, common fields and discrepancies, and access a preparation/reference template.
View Air Waybill GuideCertificate of Origin (COO)
Understand what a Certificate of Origin is, how it relates to other shipment documents, and access a preparation/reference template.
View Certificate of Origin GuideShipper's Letter of Instruction (SLI)
Learn what an SLI is, what instructions and shipment details it usually contains, common mistakes to avoid, and download a free preparation template.
View Shipper's Letter of Instruction GuideQuoting before a sale? Download our free pro forma invoice template (Excel).
Customs updates
EU Product Identifiers 2026 (M-PID, NS-PID, S-PID)
Product Identifier data becomes mandatory for relevant EU e-commerce import declarations from 1 November 2026. Learn what each identifier is, where to find it and how to prepare.
View EU Product Identifier GuideIOSS Changes 2027: Unique Dispatch Number
A "Right to secure IOSS" measure is expected in February 2027, requiring a unique dispatch number in the import declaration. Learn what is known so far and how to prepare.
View IOSS Changes 2027 GuideHow shipping documents work together
A single shipment usually travels with several documents, prepared by different parties at different times. Many of them repeat the same important information, such as:
- Shipper / exporter
- Consignee / buyer
- Goods description
- Package quantity
- Net and gross weight
- Marks and numbers
- Country of origin
- Transport references
- Ports or airports
- Invoice / reference numbers
When these details differ from one document to another, banks, customs, carriers or buyers may raise questions, ask for amendments or carry out additional review — which can delay the shipment. Checking that the documents agree before they are sent helps avoid that.
Check whether your shipping documents agree
ShipmentChecker compares 2–4 supported shipping documents from the same shipment and flags discrepancies, missing information and items that may need review before the documents move on.
Supported documents
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Bill of Lading
- Air Waybill
- Certificate of Origin
How the comparison works
- 1. Upload or email — add 2–4 PDFs from one shipment in your dashboard, or email them from your registered address. Every check needs a Commercial Invoice or Packing List.
- 2. Automatic comparison — ShipmentChecker reads the printed values and compares the information that appears across the documents. Nothing is guessed or filled in.
- 3. Review and report — each result is marked MATCH, DISCREPANCY, MISSING or REVIEW, and you can download a PDF report to share.
ShipmentChecker checks whether your documents are consistent with each other. It is not an official customs validation, and it does not guarantee acceptance by customs, carriers, banks or any authority.