Create professional proforma invoices for international trade, customs clearance, and advance payments. Perfect for exporters and importers worldwide.
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A proforma invoice is a preliminary bill of sale sent to buyers before goods or services are delivered. It's not a demand for payment but a quotation in invoice format, commonly used for customs declarations, advance payments, and international trade.
Required by customs authorities for import/export documentation and duty calculation.
Used to request deposits or advance payments before work begins or goods ship.
Essential for cross-border transactions, showing product details, quantities, and values.
For customs purposes • 50% deposit required • Valid 30 days
Common scenarios where proforma invoices are essential for business operations
Customs authorities require proforma invoices for duty calculation
Request advance payments before starting work
Client budget approval before commitment
Letter of credit and trade finance applications
Freight forwarders and shipping companies
Sample orders and trial shipments
Everything you need for international trade documentation
Support for 150+ currencies with automatic conversion and formatting for international trade.
Formatted specifically for customs authorities with all required fields and declarations.
Professional PDF format ready for customs, freight forwarders, and financial institutions.
One-click conversion to final invoice once goods are shipped or services delivered.
Add company logo, colors, and business details for professional international presence.
Interface available in 7 languages for international business communication.
Join thousands of exporters using SendInvoice for international trade documentation
Create Proforma Invoice FreeFree • No credit card required • Customs ready
A proforma invoice is a preliminary quotation sent before goods are shipped – it's not a demand for payment. A commercial invoice is a final bill sent after delivery that requests payment. Proforma invoices are used for customs clearance, advance payments, and budget approval, while commercial invoices are for payment collection.
No, a proforma invoice is not legally binding. It's an estimate or quotation in invoice format. Final prices may change based on actual quantities, shipping costs, or other factors. Once goods are shipped, you issue a final commercial invoice that supersedes the proforma.
Yes, most customs authorities require proforma invoices for import/export documentation. They use it to calculate duties and taxes, verify goods description, and process shipments. Even if not strictly required, it's considered best practice for international trade.
Yes, proforma invoices are commonly used to request advance payments or deposits (typically 50%) before production or shipping. However, you should issue a final commercial invoice once goods are delivered for the balance payment and proper accounting.
Essential information includes: Seller and buyer details, description of goods/services, quantities, unit prices, total value, currency, payment terms, shipping terms (FOB, CIF, etc.), country of origin, HS codes (if known), and a clear statement that it's a "Proforma Invoice" and not a tax invoice.
