What is a Consular Invoice? 

A consular invoice is a document signed by the consul of the importing country and consul of the exporting country that certifies the shipment of goods. A consular invoice serves as proof that the shipment of goods was sighted, stamped or authorized by the consul of the country where the shipment is being transported to. A consular invoice contains the details of a shipment such as a consignor, consignee, and value of the shipment. A consular invoice is an authorized document that facilitates the collection of taxes and control over imports by countries. It also prevents the misrepresentation of a shipment that can occur due to under-invoicing or over-invoicing. 

How does a Consular Invoice Work? 

A consular invoice must be submitted to the embassy of the country to which the goods are being shipped. After submission, the invoice is then authorized by the consul or a representative. This process is called consularization. 

The consularization process must be completed before goods are sent to the receiving country. A consular invoice provides a foreign country with all the details of a shipment such as the description of the goods shipped, the consignee and consignor of the shipment, and others. 

The invoice also enhances the payment of adequate export duty on the shipment and also prevents dumping. Dumping is an unethical practice in the shipment of goods that countries have strict regulations against. 

Example of a Consular Invoice 

Typically, a consular invoice give details about the products in the shipment, the invoice often has the following pattern;

• Date
• Exporter or Supplier
• Destination Port
• Loading Port
• Description of goods
• Name of Carrier
• Amount of charges
• Value of shipment
• Marks and numbers
• Name of certifier

Not all countries require a consular invoice, examples of countries that do are include Kenya, Latin America, Uganda, Tanzania, New Zealand, Zanzibar, Iraq, Fiji, Nigeria, Cyprus, Ghana, Mauritius, and Guinea.