INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO COMPLETE THE CANADA CUSTOMS INVOICE OR A COMMERCIAL INVOICE - How to complete each required field

Sep 21, 2026

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Instructions explain how to complete the Canada Customs Invoice (Form CI1) or a commercial invoice by detailing each required field. The guidance covers vendor and consignee details, shipment dates and transportation route information, other references, and the consignee and purchaser addresses. It also specifies how to report country of transshipment and country of origin, commodity descriptions, quantities, unit prices, totals, weights, invoice totals, and exporter or originator information.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryInvoices

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time1 min

AccessFree to download

Field completion instructions

Vendor to invoice totals

Weights, exporters, and originator fields

Agency rulings and currency/packing fields

INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO COMPLETE THE CANADA CUSTOMS INVOICE OR A COMMERCIAL INVOICE Below is a brief description of how to complete each required field on Form CI1, Canada Customs Invoice , or a commercial invoice. The field name as shown on Form CI1 is in bold face, with similar commercial terms in parenthesis for certain fields. Field Description 1. Vendor –(seller, sold by, remit to, consignor, shipper)– Indicate the name and address of: (a) the person selling the goods to the purchaser; or (b) the person consigning the goods to Canada. 2. Date of direct shipment to Canada – Indicate the date the goods began their continuous journey to Canada. Format must be YYYY-MM-DD. 3. Other references – Use to record other useful information (e.g. , the commercial invoice number, the purchaser’s order number) . 4. Consignee –(ship to, deliver to)– Indicate the name and address of the person (company) in Canada to whom the goods are shipped. 5. Purchaser’s name and address –(sold to, buyer)– The person to whom the goods are sold by the vendor. 6. Country of transshipment – The country through which the goods were shipped in transit to Canada under customs control. 7. Country of origin of goods – The country of origin of invoiced goods is the country where the goods are grown, produced, or manufactured. Each manufactured article on the invoice must have been significantly transformed in the country specified as the country of origin to its present form ready for export to Canada. Certain operations such as packaging, splitting, and sorting may not be considered as sufficient operations to confer origin. Note: The origin of goods as applied to the assignment of tariff treatment is dealt with in Memorandum D11-4-2, Proof of Origin. 8. Transportation: Give mode and place of direct shipment to Canada – Indicate the mode of transportation and the place from which the goods began their uninterrupted journey to Canada. 9. Conditions of sale and terms of payment – Describe the terms and the conditions agreed upon by the vendor and the purchaser. 10. Currency of settlement – Indicate the currency in which the vendor’s demand for payment is made. 11. Number of packages – Indicate the number of packages. 12. Specification of commodities – The following information must be provided: (a) Kind of packages – Indicate the kind of packages (e.g. , cases, cartons) . (b) Marks and numbers – Indicate the descriptive marks and numbers imprinted on the packaged goods. The marks and numbers must be legibly placed on the outside of all packaged goods if possible. However, the following classes of shipments do not require marks and numbers: (1) shipments forwarded by parcel post; (2) goods shipped in bulk, that are not packaged, but merely wire-bound, tagged, or fastened together in lots. However, the number of pieces, bundles, bushels, etc. , must be shown on the invoice; and (3) agricultural equipment and machinery, or machinery parts, when shipped loose. However, when in packages, the invoices must show the numbers and descriptions of same. (c) General description and characteristics – Give, in general terms, a description of the merchandise (e.g. , textiles, auto parts) and show a proper identifying description in commercial terms (i.e. , style or code numbers, size, and dimensions) as known in the country of production or exportation. The condition of the goods, if other than new, must be given on the invoice, and, if applicable, the following information shown: (1) other than prime quality goods; (2) remnants; (3) job lots; (4) close-outs; (5) discontinued lines; (6) obsolete goods; and (7) used goods. 13. Quantity – Indicate the quantity of each item included in the description field in the appropriate unit of measure. 14. Unit price –(price per article, item amount)– Provide a value in the currency of settlement (as defined under Field 10) for each item described in the description field.

FAQs

What is the required date format for the Date of direct shipment to Canada field?

Use the format YYYY-MM-DD for the date when the goods began their continuous journey to Canada.

How should country of origin be determined for invoiced goods?

Country of origin is where the goods are grown, produced, or manufactured, and each article must be significantly transformed in that country. Packaging, splitting, and sorting alone are not sufficient to confer origin.

What information must be included in the Specification of commodities field?

Include kind of packages, marks and numbers when applicable, and a general description with identifying commercial details such as style or code numbers, size, and dimensions. The condition of goods must be stated when other than new.

Sep 21, 2026

Upload by Quinn