Shipcloud supports you in shipping your UPS packages worldwide from Germany - via Shipcloud business rates or your own UPS contract.
In this article you will learn when you need to include a commercial invoice with your UPS shipments and how you can easily create one with Shipcloud.
In this article 👇
Dutiable shipping to a non-EU country
For UPS shipments sent to a non-EU country, you must attach the proforma or commercial invoice in triplicate to the outside of the packages so that they can be cleared through customs. In addition, a commercial invoice must be created along with the shipping label.
📌 Please note that missing customs documents may result in shipping delays.
Create a commercial invoice in the Shipcloud account
Creation in the new platform
Log in as usual and, under Shipping >> Create shipment, select the shipping service provider UPS and the desired service (Standard / Expedited / Express Saver / Express).
Enter the recipient’s address in the input form. You also have the option to adjust your own address.
Then click on shipment description.
If you have selected a non-EU country in the Country field of the recipient’s address, the option to add the customs declaration will appear here.
Click on “+ Add” to enter the necessary information about the contents of the shipment that require customs clearance.
By clicking on “+ Add item”, you can then provide a more detailed description of the item.
Detailed information about the individual fields and required data can be found here.
Next, under Packages, you can enter the parcel dimensions.
Once you have entered all the data correctly, click the Create shipment button. You will then find the shipment in your shipment overview.
Creation in the old platform
Create your dutiable shipment as usual in the menu item "Shipping" >> "New Shipment" and select UPS as the carrier and the desired service (UPS Standard/Expedited/ Express Save /Express).
Enter the receiver address in the input mask. As soon as you have selected the carrier and a non-EU country in the "Country" field, an additional button "Add customs declaration" will appear further down.
Click on this button to open the input mask for entering the customs data. Detailed information about the individual fields and required data can be found here.
Then click on "Book shipment". You will now be provided with both the shipping label and the customs declaration for printout.
Add a commercial invoice to an existing shipment
Adding invoice afterward in the new platform
An overview of already created shipments can be found in your Shipcloud account under the Manage your shipments button.
Select the shipment for which you want to upload an invoice.
Then click on “Upload documents” at the top of the menu.
Next, select the type of document and click on the field below to choose the document from your files.
Once you have successfully selected the file, click the “Upload” button to upload the file and complete the process.
Adding invoice afterward in the old platform
If you have already created a shipment in your Shipcloud account, you have the option of adding a commercial invoice.
To do this, log in to your Shipcloud account and call up the shipment you have already created. At the bottom you will find the field Shipment documents. Here you can easily upload your commercial invoice retroactively.
Important: The upload of the commercial invoice must take place before the shipment arrives at the UPS depot.
Create a commercial invoice via API/plug-in
If you create your shipping labels and customs documents via API request, you can find more information in our Developer Portal. If you create your shipping labels directly from your shop, ERP or inventory management system, please contact the developer of your plugin directly to find out whether the function for creating a customs declaration is already implemented. On our website you will find an overview of the available plugins and the corresponding contacts.
For more helpful tips on how to create a commercial invoice, click here.
Returns of undeliverable dutiable parcels from a non-EU country
When returning UPS shipments from dutiable countries that could not be delivered in the destination country due to a problem or refusal of acceptance, you as the sender have to issue a new commercial invoice.
The commercial invoice must meet the following requirements:
All information (e.g., value of goods, contents, etc.) must be identical to the customs data from the original commercial invoice (for the outbound shipment).
"Return goods" must be specified as the shipment type.
The original UPS shipment or tracking number of the outbound shipment must be indicated on the invoice.
📌 Please note that UPS has to recheck these shipments in case of insufficient information and therefore delays in the return as well as additional fees may occur.
Any further questions? We're happy to help.
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