Effective Invoice Layouts For Shipping Goods Worldwide
What information is needed?
Posted by Alison Mead on 08/02/2021 @ 8:00AM
Following on from Brexit, the export process to the EU can be made easier when you provide the right invoice layout to help shippers and customs authorities assess duties, taxes and goods suitability for transport ...
Wherever in the world your exporting to, get your invoice layout right to aid speedy delivery!
It's something exporters who have been shipping goods worldwide have been doing for years, but many smaller businesses are now experiencing the pitfalls of crossing customs borders as they have only exported to the EU before.
"As the UK is a third country now, customs checks to the EU are taking place!"
So what information do you need on an invoice? Well, there is no legal format for an invoice layout regardless of where you're shipping to, but it is a document that is used to report common information expected when completing export formalities.
The following information is normally included:
your own company address
the address of the receiver
date and time of the order
for each item being shipped, a tarrif/harmonised code and the description of the goods
total net weight of the package (in kilograms usually)
the method used to ship the goods
the reason for export
the value of goods in the relevant desinations own currency
your VAT and EORI number
space for various ventor's and shipping agent's signatures
Accounts packages such as Sage and Xero allow you to customise your invoice layout, but do remember that the more information the better now we are also shipping into the EU which is in a different customs jurisdiction since the 1st of January 2021.
Get your layout right, with all the required information in an easy to read format, and your goods have a far better chance of being delivered as expected rather than getting caught up in additional customs checks and delayed at the border.
This now applies wherever in the world you're exporting to ... the EU included.
Until next time ...
ALISON MEAD
Would you like to know more?
If anything I've written in this blog post resonates with you and you'd like to discover more, it may be a great idea to give me a call on 01604 217365 and let's see how I can help you.
Alison loves bookkeeping and supporting bookkeepers. She has been helping clients to be better bookkeepers in Sage 50 for over 24 years and has been Xero Accredited in accounts and payroll for a number of years too.
She specialises in a very unique hand-holding method of training, helping bookkeepers and business owners to use their accounts software as and when they need support in setting up and producing their invoices, reports and financial information.
Alison combines her role at Silicon Bullet with her Forever Living network marketing businesses and is often to be seen at business networking meetings as she likes to keep busy.
You know what they say: if you want something done well ask a busy person!
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