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Shipping Invoice Template

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SHIPPING INVOICE & SERVICES AGREEMENT

Invoice Number:    Invoice Date:    PO Number:

Parties and Recitals

This Shipping Invoice & Services Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into by and between:

Shipper / Service Provider:    Contact:

Consignee / Recipient:    Contact:

WHEREAS, Shipper provides freight transportation, handling and related logistics services; and

WHEREAS, Consignee has contracted Shipper for the shipment described below and agrees to pay charges in accordance with the terms set forth herein; and

WHEREAS, the parties intend this Invoice to serve both as a commercial invoice for payment and as an agreement governing the provision of services identified in the Scope of Work.

Shipment Details

Carrier:    Carrier ID / MC#:

Origin Address:

Destination Address:

Billing Party (Bill To):    Reference / Tracking:

Scope of Work

Itemized Charges

Description
Qty
Weight
Unit Price
Line Total

Subtotal:

Insurance (if applicable):

Taxes / Duties:

Total Due:

Payment Terms

Amount Due:    Due Within: days of invoice date.

Late Payment Fee: on overdue balances. If applicable, a one-time administrative fee of may be charged.

Term and Termination

Service Start Date:    Service End Date (if applicable):

Termination for Convenience: Either party may terminate this Agreement by providing written notice at least days prior to the intended termination date. Termination will not relieve the Consignee of payment obligations for services rendered prior to the effective termination date.

Confidentiality

Each party agrees that all non-public business, shipping, pricing, and customer information exchanged in connection with this Agreement shall be treated as confidential information and shall not be disclosed to third parties except as required by law or as necessary to perform the services. Confidential information remains the property of the disclosing party and shall be returned or destroyed upon request.

Liability and Declarations

The Carrier's liability for loss or damage shall be as provided under applicable shipping law and as agreed between the parties. Unless additional declared value or insurance is purchased and listed on this invoice, liability shall be limited to the lesser of actual documented loss or the limits established in Carrier's tariff or bill of lading. Shipper warrants that all goods are properly packed and labeled and that hazardous materials, if present, are declared and accompanied by required documentation.

Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of without regard to conflict of law principles.

Entire Agreement

This Invoice and Services Agreement, together with any referenced attachments, schedules, bills of lading, and purchase orders expressly incorporated herein, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, proposals, and communications, whether oral or written.

Shipper / Service Provider:

By:

Date:

Consignee / Recipient:

By:

Date:

Enter text✕

What a Shipping Invoice Template Is and when it’s used

A Shipping Invoice Template is a standardized document used by sellers, carriers, and logistics teams to record goods shipped, prices, shipment details, and payment terms. It combines billing information with shipment specifics such as carrier, tracking number, weight, and declared value so recipients can verify contents and process payment or reconciliation. Templates reduce errors, speed accounting, and create an auditable record for tax, customs, and returns. Businesses use the template for domestic and cross-border shipments, invoice reconciliation, carrier chargebacks, and as supporting documentation for sales and shipping ledgers.

Why a clear Shipping Invoice Template matters

A well-structured shipping invoice clarifies responsibilities, accelerates payment, and supports customs and tax compliance.

Why a clear Shipping Invoice Template matters

Who prepares and receives shipping invoices

Typical creators and recipients vary by role but share the need for accurate shipment, billing, and tax data.

  • Shippers and exporters: Prepare invoices showing goods, quantities, U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule codes, and declared values.
  • Carriers and freight brokers: Use invoices to reconcile pickup, delivery, and accessorial charges with bills of lading.
  • Accounts payable and customers: Receive invoices to validate received goods and process payments on agreed terms.

Use the template to standardize exchanges between these parties and reduce disputes or delayed payments.

Essential parts of a professional Shipping Invoice Template

A complete template groups identity, shipment specifics, billing data, tax details, payment terms, and certification statements so each recipient can act without follow-up.

Seller Details

Full legal name, address, tax identification (EIN or SSN if required), and contact information for billing queries.

Buyer Details

Customer name, billing and shipping addresses, purchase order number, and contact person for delivery issues.

Shipment Data

Carrier, bill of lading or tracking number, shipment date, origin, destination, weight, and dimensions.

Line Items

Item descriptions, SKU or part numbers, quantities, unit price, extended totals, and Harmonized System codes if exported.

Taxes & Duties

Specify sales tax, shipping charges, insurance, customs duties, and any exemptions with tax ID references where applicable.

Payment & Certifications

Payment terms, due date, accepted payment methods, signature block, and any export or hazardous goods declarations.

Step-by-step: filling out a Shipping Invoice Template

Follow this sequence to complete a shipping invoice accurately and reduce back-and-forth with customers or carriers.

  • 01
    1. Identify parties: Enter seller and buyer legal names and addresses.
  • 02
    2. Record shipment: Add carrier, tracking, origin, and destination details.
  • 03
    3. List items: Add descriptions, SKUs, quantities, unit prices.
  • 04
    4. Finalize totals: Compute taxes, shipping, and grand total; sign and date.

How to customize and automate the template online

Configure fields, validation, and routing so invoices populate automatically and move to approvers without manual handoffs.

Field Configuration
Auto-fill Buyer Data Map CRM fields to invoice fields for repeat customers.
Calculated Totals Use formula fields to sum line items and apply tax rates.
Conditional Fields Show customs fields only when international shipment checkbox selected.
Approval Routing Route invoices to AP or manager based on amount threshold.

Where to send or submit a completed shipping invoice

A completed invoice must reach the party responsible for payment and any intermediaries who reconcile shipment charges.

  • Customer Accounts Payable: Send via email or their AP portal with PO reference.
  • Carrier Billing: Attach invoice for freight chargebacks and dispute resolution.
  • Internal Ledgers: Upload PDF to accounting system for posting.
  • Customs Broker: Provide invoice for import clearance if cross-border.

Distribution options and digital signing considerations

Choose delivery channels that preserve data integrity and meet recipient acceptance requirements.

  • Email / PDF: Widely accepted; include audit trail if signed electronically.
  • Accounting Integration: Use integrations to auto-import into QuickBooks or ERP.
  • eSignature: Use e-sign to capture agreement and timestamp.

Ensure chosen platforms support PDF, DOCX, and secure storage and integrate with CRMs and ERPs for automated reconciliation.

Timelines and handling expectations for shipping invoices

Track dates to align payment terms, customs windows, and audit retention obligations.

Invoice Date vs Shipment Date:

Invoice date triggers payment terms; shipment date documents actual goods movement.

Payment Due Date:

Follow agreed terms, commonly Net 30 or Net 60 from invoice date.

Dispute Window:

Customers typically raise disputes within 30–60 days; keep evidence available.

Customs Submission:

Provide invoice promptly for import clearance to avoid demurrage.

Accounting Cutoffs:

Post invoices in the proper fiscal period for accurate financial reporting.

Common mistakes to avoid when preparing a shipping invoice

  • Missing or incorrect HS codes that cause customs holds and clearance delays.
  • Mismatched buyer name or address that leads to rejected payments or returns.
  • Omitted PO numbers that delay accounts payable processing and slow settlement.
  • Rounding or currency inconsistencies that create reconciliation discrepancies and disputes.

Risks from incorrect shipping invoices

Payment Delays: Missed payments and late fees
Customs Fines: Import/export penalties
Tax Exposure: Incorrect sales tax reporting
Disputes: Chargebacks and reputational harm
Audit Risk: Increased scrutiny from tax authorities
Operational Costs: Extra staff time resolving errors

eSignature vendor pricing and feature overview for invoice workflows

Compare starting prices and essential features for eSignature providers often used to sign or route shipping invoices; signNow is shown first per comparison convention.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day trial Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

FAQs: common questions about Shipping Invoice Templates

Answers to frequent questions about format, signing, legal validity, and retention for shipping invoices.


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