How to Complete Canada Customs Invoice CI1

Who uses Canada Customs Invoice CI1?

Vendors and exporters preparing goods for commercial import into Canada.
Importers, purchasers, customs brokers, and freight teams assembling entry records.
Businesses whose ordinary commercial invoice does not contain all CBSA-required invoice data.

What to prepare before you start

Build the evidence set first. It is faster and safer than guessing through the PDF and repairing contradictions later.

01
Gather the purchase order, commercial invoice, packing list, and transport documents.
02
Confirm vendor, consignee, and purchaser identities; they are not always the same party.
03
Determine the country of origin for the goods, not merely the shipping country.
04
Use the currency and terms of sale actually agreed by the parties.
05
Calculate assists, royalties, proceeds, freight, and other valuation adjustments where applicable.
06
Make item descriptions specific enough for classification and release.

Section-by-section field guide

Form section	What to enter and verify
Vendor and shipment references	Enter the seller’s full identity, direct-shipment date, invoice/reference numbers, and consignee information.
Purchaser and countries	Identify the purchaser and report country of transshipment and origin accurately for the goods.
Transport, terms, and currency	State mode/place of direct shipment, sale terms, payment terms, and the currency used for all values.
Packages and commodities	Report package count, marks, detailed description, quantities, unit prices, and line totals so records reconcile.
Weights and totals	Complete net/gross weight and invoice total using consistent units and currency.
Originator and adjustments	Identify who completed the invoice and report agency rulings, freight, royalties, assists, proceeds, and other additions or deductions.

A reliable completion workflow

1
Choose CI1 or confirm that the commercial invoice contains every required data element.
2
Complete parties and shipment references from source records.
3
Enter commodity lines and reconcile quantities, prices, weights, and totals.
4
Review country-of-origin entries separately from route or export country.
5
Complete valuation adjustment fields rather than burying them in a note.
6
Have the exporter/originator review the final record and transmit it securely.

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Common mistakes to avoid

Using the consignee name in place of the purchaser without checking the transaction.
Confusing country of shipment with country of origin.
Providing vague descriptions such as “parts” or “samples.”
Leaving currency or Incoterms implicit.
Failing to add assists, royalties, or proceeds that affect customs value.
Emailing an unprotected completed form despite its Protected B classification.

PDF technology note

CI1 is a standard AcroForm with text and selection fields, making it suitable for structured extraction and review. Always inspect long commodity descriptions for clipping.

Privacy and security

Once completed, CBSA classifies CI1 as Protected B. It contains prices, counterparties, shipment routes, and supply-chain details; use encrypted storage and controlled transmission.

Frequently asked questions

Is Canada Customs Invoice CI1 mandatory?

Not always. CBSA permits a commercial invoice when it contains all required data. CI1 is useful when a standardized format is needed or information is missing from the commercial invoice.

Who completes the CI1?

The exporter, vendor, or an authorized person generally prepares it using reliable commercial and shipment records.

What is the difference between consignee and purchaser?

The consignee receives the shipment, while the purchaser is the buyer in the sale. They may be the same entity, but the form asks for each role separately.

What does Protected B mean here?

The completed form contains sensitive business information and should be stored and transmitted with safeguards appropriate to CBSA’s Protected B designation.

Official sources and research method

We reviewed the official agency landing page, downloaded form structure, visible pages, instructions, and the official materials below. This is an independent preparation guide, not legal, tax, customs, or licensing advice.

CBSA Form CI1 official page
Official form landing page.
CBSA Memorandum D1-4-1
Official invoice requirements and field guidance.

Research and editorial review: Clerks AI Research Team · Last reviewed 2026-07-26

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