Shipment on hold for missing "invoice"

Question

Hello everyone, I shipped something outside the European Union (it’s my first time) and I saw in the tracking that the shipment is stuck at customs in the destination country because of a missing invoice.

But what invoice are they talking about if it’s a sale between private individuals? I shipped with the post office and the lady at the post office had me fill out a ton of paperwork, but she didn’t even mention an invoice. I declared the price but nothing more, what can I do? Has this happened to anyone else? Thanks a lot for your attention!

marioelegio · Accepted Answer

For shipments outside the EU, an invoice is mandatory even for private individuals.

It is a simple non-commercial invoice (proforma), but it is essential for customs purposes. Both you and the lady at the post office were supposed to know that.

Commercial invoice (for businesses) or proforma (for private individuals) in the case of goods intended for sale.

Here you can find an example of a proforma invoice https://www.spedireadesso.com/documenti-doganali-spedizioni-extra-cee-quali-e-come-presentarli.html

hi

mario