Your business name
PROFORMA INVOICE
- Proforma number
- PRO-0001
- Issue date
- Sep 1, 2026
- Payment due
- Oct 1, 2026
Bill to
Customer name
| Description | Qty | Price | Tax | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 1 | $0.00 | — | $0.00 |
- Subtotal
- $0.00
- Total
- $0.00
Free Proforma Invoice Generator
Issue a proforma invoice for advance payment, customs clearance or a purchase order — before the final invoice.
- Customs and shipping ready
- 16 currencies
- Free PDF download
Template
Subtotal$0.00
Total$0.00
What is a proforma invoice?
A proforma invoice is a preliminary bill of sale sent before goods are delivered. It states what will be supplied and at what price, but it is not a demand for payment and it is not booked as revenue. Buyers use it to raise a purchase order, arrange finance, or clear customs.
Because it is not a tax invoice, it should not be used to reclaim VAT or sales tax. The final invoice, issued once the goods ship, is the document that carries tax consequences.
When to use a proforma invoice
It is the standard document in three situations.
- International shipments, where customs needs a declared value before arrival
- New customers who must pay in advance
- Corporate buyers whose procurement process requires a document before a purchase order can be raised
Proforma invoice vs commercial invoice
A commercial invoice is the final, binding document that accompanies a shipment and is used to assess duty. A proforma invoice is its provisional counterpart, issued earlier and subject to change. Customs authorities generally accept a proforma for pre-clearance but require the commercial invoice on arrival.
Frequently asked questions
- Is a proforma invoice a legal invoice?
- No. It is a provisional document. It does not create a receivable and should not be entered into your sales ledger as revenue.
- Can a customer pay against a proforma invoice?
- Yes, and that is often the point — it is the standard way to request payment in advance. Issue a full tax invoice once the payment is received or the goods ship.
- Should a proforma invoice show tax?
- Show the expected tax so the buyer can budget, but label the document clearly as a proforma so it is not used for a tax reclaim.