Proforma invoice prints without HS/tariff column — get commodity codes to show

Joe B.

Expert ★★★★★ 27,853 satisfied customers

Specialities: Invoices & PDF templates, Shopify/WooCommerce, QuickBooks/Xero, Excel → PDF, Shipping docs (DHL/UPS/FedEx)

HS code/HTS/TARIC column missing on proforma invoice — template, print area, and data mapping fixes

Technician

Hi! Let’s get the HS/HTS/TARIC (tariff) column to print on your proforma invoice so customs sees the commodity codes per line item.
A couple quick checks: Which system generates the invoice (Shopify/WooCommerce plugin, QuickBooks, Xero, Excel/Google Sheets, or an ERP)? Are you printing to PDF from the browser, exporting to PDF from the app, or sending directly to a printer? And do your products already have HS code / Schedule B / TARIC saved?

Customer

We sell EU→US. Proforma is from Shopify (Order Printer). The HS tariff code is filled on products, but on the printed PDF the HS column is missing. Our forwarder wants HS per line for customs clearance.

Technician

Got it. Two common causes:
1) The template doesn’t render the HS/tariff field (liquid/HTML missing a column or variable).
2) The field exists but is hidden on print by CSS (@media print, display:none, narrow print area, or browser scaling).
We’ll (a) ensure the product’s HS code maps into the invoice line items, (b) add a visible Tariff/HS column, and (c) fix the PDF/print layout so it doesn’t get truncated on A4/Letter.

Customer

That makes sense. Where exactly do I enable the HS code in Shopify’s proforma or commercial invoice?

Technician

Shopify — add HS (HS tariff code) to the invoice template
1) Confirm each product has HS code & Country of origin (COO) set (Products → select product → Shipping → HS (HS tariff code)).
2) In your Order Printer (or invoice app), edit the template. Inside the line item table, add a column header like HS/HTS and render the code using the app’s variable (often {{ line_item.hs_code }} or via line_item.product.hs_code). Many apps expose tariff_code or harmonized_system_code.
3) Make sure CSS doesn’t hide the column for print. Remove any .hs-col{display:none} in @media print. If the table is tight, set smaller widths for SKU or Description and keep HS at ~10–14ch.
4) Export or print to PDF at 100% (no “Fit to page” if it clips columns). Use A4 for EU or Letter for US if forwarder prefers.

Customer

What if we generate a proforma in Excel and then Save as PDF? The HS column is there on-screen but disappears on print.

Technician

Excel/Sheets — HS column visible on screen but not in PDF/print
• Clear or reset the Print Area (Page Layout → Print Area → Clear).
• Use Page Break Preview to pull the blue boundary so the HS code column falls within page width.
• Set Scaling to Fit All Columns on One Page (avoid clipping).
• Reduce column widths for Description, trim Incoterms text, keep HS ~6–10 characters visible (e.g., 8517.12).
• When saving to PDF, pick A4/Letter consistently; mismatched paper size causes truncation.

Customer

We also use QuickBooks sometimes. Can we print the HS code on proforma/commercial invoice there?

Technician

Yes. In QuickBooks Online, add a Custom field at item or document level named “HS/HTS” and include it in the invoice template (Customize → Content → edit the items table → tick the field). In Xero, use Custom fields or embed HS into Item Description and map it in the template. Make sure the column isn’t hidden in the print/PDF theme. For WooCommerce, add an HS meta field via a product HS plugin and expose it in the invoice plugin’s template (PDF Invoices & Packing Slips → Templates).

Customer

Our forwarder (DHL) wants HS per line, COO, and Incoterms (DAP). Do we need this on proforma or only on the commercial invoice?

Technician

Many carriers accept a proforma invoice with the same data as a commercial invoice for quotations, returns, or samples. Best practice for international shipments: include HS (HTS/Schedule B/TARIC) per line item, Country of Origin, Incoterms (e.g., DAP/DDP/EXW/FOB), unit value, and currency. If your platform auto-generates the commercial invoice for DHL/UPS/FedEx, ensure the same HS code field mapping feeds both proforma and commercial to avoid mismatch at customs.

Customer

The template has the HS variable, but the PDF from Chrome still cuts the last column. Any pure print settings to try?

Technician

Yes — browser/PDF print fixes:
• Set More settings → Scale to 90–95% or “Fit to printable area”.
• Turn Background graphics off if heavy styling pushes the table wider.
• Use Landscape for wide price tables (A4/Letter).
• In the template CSS, ensure the HS column isn’t wrapped by white-space:nowrap on long descriptions; allow wrapping on Description, not on HS.
• If using HTML→PDF (dompdf/wkhtmltopdf), set page size and margins explicitly and avoid absolute-positioned sidebars in print.

Customer

Do we need US HTS or EU TARIC/commodity code? We export from Germany to the US.

Technician

Put the destination country’s code on the invoice you provide to their customs. For EU→US, list the US HTS (or Schedule B) and optionally the EU TARIC on your packing docs. Keep the 6-digit HS root consistent; the 8–10 digit suffix can differ by country. Add COO and your EORI/VAT where required. If uncertain, validate with the official HTS (US) or TARIC (EU) lookup.

Customer

We reprinted after the tweaks — the HS/tariff column shows for each SKU on the proforma. Anything else to avoid customs delays?

Technician

Final checklist: HS/HTS per line item, COO, Incoterms (DAP/DDP/EXW), currency, unit price & total, signature, and contact details. Keep packing list aligned with the invoice, and ensure your commercial invoice prints the same HS mapping. Need help adjusting the template variable names or PDF margins? Open the chat.

Quick answer: the accepted fix

If the proforma invoice prints without the HS/HTS/TARIC column, edit the invoice template to include the HS variable in the line-item table, verify products store a valid HS/tariff code, and ensure the column isn’t hidden by @media print or by a narrow print area. For Excel/PDF exports, reset Print Area, set scaling to fit all columns, and use the correct paper size (A4/Letter).

FAQ

Step-by-step (Template & PDF)

1. Populate data: ensure products have HS/HTS/Schedule B/TARIC and Country of Origin.
2. Edit template: add an “HS/HTS” header and inject the hs_code/tariff_code variable in the line-item loop.
3. Print CSS: remove display:none on the HS column; allow wrapping on Description to save width.
4. Export/print: reset print area, fit all columns, choose A4/Letter, switch to Landscape if table is wide.

Platforms & connectors

1. Shopify: product HS + Order Printer variable; ensure it’s included on commercial invoice, not just proforma.
2. WooCommerce: add HS via product meta; expose in PDF Invoices & Packing Slips template.
3. QuickBooks/Xero: create a custom field (HS/HTS) and include it in the items table.

Sources

• USITC — HTS (US Harmonized Tariff Schedule)
• European Commission — TARIC (EU)
• Shopify Help — HS (HS tariff code) on products
• Google Sheets — Print settings (fit columns, margins)

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