Automated Return Commercial Invoice Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals returning international goods face complexity in completing necessary documentation, such as commercial invoices, due to unfamiliarity with terms like 'consignor' and 'consignee', and the requirement for harmonized tariff codes, which can be daunting for unsophisticated customers.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilizes stored information from the original commercial invoice to generate a return commercial invoice, with the merchant and carrier collaborating to provide the necessary documentation to the customer, simplifying the return process by automating the identification and completion of required forms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the customer completes the return documentation manually, then the return process can be initiated, but the complexity and difficulty of completing commercial invoices increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically generating return commercial invoices and documentation. The carrier's system retrieves original shipment information, generates return documentation, and provides it to the customer without manual intervention, allowing the customer to simply attach the provided documentation to their return package.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier acts as an intermediary between the merchant and the customer. The carrier's system retrieves original commercial invoice information from the merchant, processes the return documentation generation, and delivers the completed return commercial invoice to the customer, simplifying the process for all parties involved.
2Manufacturing precision
If the customer is required to understand and complete complex international shipping terms, then accurate documentation can be achieved, but the time and effort required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-retrieving and storing original commercial invoice information in the carrier's system. When a return is initiated, the documentation is automatically generated using this pre-stored information, eliminating the need for the customer to manually research or fill in complex fields like harmonized tariff codes and consignor/consignee details.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates copies of the original commercial invoice information and adapts it for return purposes. The return commercial invoice is generated by copying relevant data from the original shipment documentation and reformatting it according to return requirements, ensuring accuracy without requiring customer expertise.
3Ease of operation
If the merchant and carrier collaborate to automate return documentation, then the customer burden is reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier's system performs multiple functions: it stores original commercial invoice information, retrieves this information when returns are initiated, generates return commercial invoices, and provides documentation to customers. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems for the merchant and carrier into a unified solution.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method is disclosed for facilitating international return of dutiable goods. A typical application involves a purchaser buying goods on-line, resulting in shipping the goods internationally to the purchaser. After receipt of the goods, the purchaser determines that return of the goods is necessary. The purchaser contacts the merchant selling the goods to request returning the goods. The merchant, in turn, communicates to the carrier delivering the goods that an international return is requested. The merchant provides certain information to the carrier allowing the carrier to make available the necessary documentation required by the customer to return the goods to the merchant. The documentation includes a properly completed commercial invoice that is made available to the consignee. The consignee can then sign and use the documentation for returning the item. The documentation may be variously provided to the customer either by the merchant or the carrier.