Scenario: a shipment of wear parts is held and the broker asks for a corrected invoice. Direct answer: many problems start with an invoice that lacks fields the regulation lists. The U.S. rule, 19 CFR 141.86, which I read on the eCFR site on 24 October 2026, sets out the contents. Check each field with your supplier before the goods ship. This checklist is not legal advice, and I say nothing on why any shipment has been held.
Checklist from 19 CFR 141.86(a)
| Field the rule lists | What to check on your invoice |
|---|---|
| Port of entry the goods are destined for | Named, and it matches the booking |
| Time, place, seller and buyer of the sale or shipment | Names, addresses and dates match your purchase order |
| Detailed description, including the name by which each item is known, grade or quality, marks and numbers, and package marks and numbers | More than “parts”; says what the item is and its grade, and package marks match the boxes |
| Quantities | Match the packing list and the goods |
| Purchase price of each item, and currency | Per-item prices and the currency are shown |
| Itemised charges such as freight, insurance, commission and packing | Listed by name and amount, or identified as included |
| Rebates, drawbacks and bounties | Shown separately if any |
| Country of origin | Stated for the goods; ask your broker about how it should be shown |
| Goods or services supplied for production (assists) | Any tooling, dies or engineering that you supplied, not in the price |
The rule also says the invoice and its attachments must be in English or have an accurate English translation, and that each invoice must state in adequate detail what merchandise is in each package, which is the packing list function.
Pre-shipment review
Most holds are created by the paperwork, not by the goods.
- Ask the supplier for a draft invoice and packing list before shipping.
- Compare each field in the table, line by line, with your purchase order.
- Check that quantities, weights and package counts agree across documents.
- Send the drafts to your broker and ask whether anything is missing.
- Correct before the cargo sails, not after.
Boundary: Not legal advice; the rule text was read on 24 October 2026 and may change, and it does not explain any particular hold. Confirm with your broker.
Sources and further reading. External references are dated; where a figure is quoted, the link shows where it came from.
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR): 19 CFR 141.86 – Contents of invoices and general requirements (accessed 2026-10-24) ↗What should we do when the packing list and blade markings show different lot numbers? ↗The Technical Pack: What to Send a Manufacturer for a Custom Edge ↗Sourcing carbide wear parts guide ↗Choosing a Customs Broker for Wear-Parts Imports: Seven Questions ↗Receiving an Imported Sample: A Day-One Inspection Checklist ↗Ordering in Peak Season: Orders a Busy Distributor Can Fill ↗
