Exporters advised to use standard 'commercial invoice' form

The National Trade and Transportation Committee (NTTFC) has advised all export bodies in the country to ensure that their members adopt commercial invoice, based on United Nations Layout Key (UNLK).
The Appraisement Collectorate has also advised all exporters to use the model commercial invoice based on UNLK for all international transactions to achieve the object of standardised international trade documents in conformity with international practices.
NTTFC is the standing committee established by the Ministry of Commerce. In order to simplify the procedures for trade and transport, the Ministry of Commerce is implementing World Bank assisted NTTFC project since April, 2002.
The commercial invoice is a key document in international trade transactions; hence, it ought to be harmonised according to international standards.
The United Nations has developed a standard format for trade documents in accordance with UNLK, which has been adopted by the International Standards Organisation (ISO).
At present, various organisations have designed commercial invoices for their use, without following a standard pattern. The NTTFC feels that this needs to be standardised, in accordance with the international pattern to facilitate international trade.
To enable Pakistan's commercial and industrial businesses adopt the internationally recommended format, a document--'Guidelines for using Model Commercial Invoice for Pakistani exporters'--has been prepared for their use in consultation with the stakeholders. The government has decided to harmonise the trade documents with international standards, and NTTFC has been assigned to achieve this.
The NTTFC is developing a set of national aligned documents complying with UNLK. So far, 'Certificate of Origin', 'Phytosaniraty Certificate', and 'Goods Declaration' forms have been redesigned in compliance with UNLK. Considering the importance of 'commercial invoice', it had also been included in the national set of aligned documents.
Business and public agencies, which still make significant use of paper forms, should, at the very least, apply and reap the benefit of the work on standard trade documentation carried out by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (Unece) and embodied in the 'Aligned Document System', based on the UNLK.
Familiarity with such standards and their effective use will give Pakistan access to a global highway for data management of international trade transaction. Though much less glamorous than any public exhortations and incentives to compete in the global market place, it can be more relevant to day-to-day success and profitability.
The first section of the brochure, prepared by NTTFC, explains how an exporter can customise this 'commercial invoice' format for use, and the second section discusses each data field mentioned in the sample format and provides guideline on how to fill the relevant field. A sample filled in invoice has also been attached for guidance purposes of the stakeholders.