What is included in ZenMarket Invoicing Documents?

Do you know that you can check your invoice for every ZenMarket parcel you have sent?

In this article, we will explain why invoicing is important and how to access your invoice, as well as what is included in the invoice.

Why do you need an invoice for shipping a parcel? 

 Invoices are necessary for international shipments due to several important reasons:

1. Customs Clearance: Invoices provide essential details about the goods being shipped, including their value, description, and quantity. This information is crucial for customs authorities to determine if the shipment complies with regulations and to calculate duties and taxes.
   
   
2. Import Duties and Taxes: The invoice helps customs officials assess the correct amount of import duties and taxes that the recipient needs to pay. Accurate invoicing ensures that these fees are calculated based on the true value of the goods.
   
   
3. Proof of Transaction: Invoices serve as proof of the transaction between the buyer and the seller. They confirm that the goods were purchased, their agreed-upon price, and the terms of sale.
   
   
4. Shipping and Insurance: In general, shipping carriers and insurance companies use invoices to verify the value of the goods being shipped. This is important for determining the level of insurance coverage and for processing claims in case of loss or damage during transit. For ZenMarket customers, Zenmarket's parcel insurance system will be applied instead of shipping carriers and insurance companies.
   
   
5. Regulatory Compliance: Different countries have specific regulations and requirements for imported goods. An invoice ensures that shipments comply with these regulations, which can include product restrictions, import quotas, and safety standards.
   
   
6. Dispute Resolution: In case of any disputes between the buyer and seller regarding the shipment, the invoice serves as a legal document that outlines the terms of the sale and the specifics of the goods shipped.

Ensuring that an invoice is accurate and included with international shipments helps facilitate smooth and efficient customs processing, reduces the risk of delays, and ensures compliance with international trade laws.

What is included in the invoice?

 Here is all the information that is included in the invoice.

1. Sender's Information
2. Addressee's Information
3. Payment Terms
4. Parcel Information
5. Shippment Method
6. Item Information (Description, Tariff Code, Origin, Quantity, Unit Price in JPY, Total Amount in JPY)
7. Freight (Shipping Costs in JPY)
8. Total Commercial Value (Parcel Total Value and Shipping Fees in JPY)

This is an example of an invoice that does not contain pre-paid VAT.

This is an example of an invoice with goods that includes the VAT prepaid via IOSS.

The above VAT is included when EU customers choose to pay VAT via IOSS beforehand. It also applies to other destinations where a pre-paying tax/duties option is available. You can refer to our help page for more detail information. This could be used as proof for customers to show they have already paid VAT with ZenMarket in case local customs asks about it. 

How to download ZenMarket invoice

To download your invoice for each parcel, go to My Account > Parcels > Invoice.

You will be redirected to a new window and the invoice can be downloaded in PDF format.

FAQ 

 In case you have more questions about our invoicing documents, please refer to the below FAQ or contact our customer support for further assistance. 

Q. Why are shipping costs (Freight) included in the invoice?

Please note that customs regulations vary from country to country. Including shipping costs on the invoice is a standard procedure for all international shipments.
Customs rules vary by country, the inclusion of shipping costs in the invoice does not necessarily mean they will be subject to customs duties.
If shipping costs aren’t listed in the invoice, this may be due to your country’s customs regulations.
Please note that this may not apply to every situation and there may be exceptions based on your country's regulations. 
If you need any assistance with customs clearance, please contact our Customer Support via the Message tab.

Q. Can I request to remove the shipping costs (Freight) from the invoice?

Under normal circumstances, the exclusion of the shipping costs means that the customer did not pay for any shipping costs for the parcel.
As this violates compliance and international shipment regulations, it is not recommended to do so. Therefore, we do not remove the shipping costs from the invoice if it is required by shipping requirements.  

Q. Will taxes and duties increase if shipping costs are included in the invoice?

Normally, the calculation of import taxes is based on the declared price listed on the invoice (depending on the country's regulations).
If the actual shipping costs are not listed on the invoice, sometimes the tax and duties will be based on a default estimated shipping costs set by the customs of each country.
In this case, the default estimated shipping costs are usually much higher than the actual shipping costs. 
Therefore, we assume that the customer would pay higher taxes and duties if the actual shipping costs were excluded from the invoice.
However, the rules for calculating taxes differ from country to country and vary depending on each package and product.
If you need more detailed information, please consult your local customs office for assistance. 

Also Read: HOW TO TRACK PARCELS?