Free Proforma Invoice Templates

A proforma invoice is a document that is issued from the seller, the exporter, to the buyer, the importer, to confirm the buyer’s intentions of purchasing the order. This is different from a purchase order, in that the purchase order is issued from the buyer to the seller. This guide covers the essential components of a proforma invoice, several tips on how to create and use one, and free proforma invoice templates.

David Noah, in an article for Shipping Solutions, offers these benefits of issuing a proforma invoice:

1. It serves as a negotiating tool between you and your international customer.
2. It is a voluntary document, and it is the preferred method in the exporting business. It’s good form to include a proforma invoice whether or not it is requested.
3. It is a blueprint for the entire export process.
4. All proforma invoices should be valid for a specific period of time.

How To Create Proforma Invoice

Proforma isn’t used for account receivable or account payable, however, it is a legal document and you could be bound to the terms and conditions laid out in it. Your proforma invoice is your offer to sell. Don’t undervalue yourself. There are three things you can do to make sure this type of invoice is created correctly:

1. Calculate your export costs using a cost sheet
2. Determine acceptable costs of the goods you’re selling
3. Cover all issues important to buyers

This guide will cover the necessary sections and proper proforma invoice format.

Other printable invoice templates by Hloom:

• Definite Guide to Invoicing – how to get paid for goods and services
• Commercial invoice templates – to use for product sales
• Freelance invoice templates – tailored for freelancers and contractors
• Photography invoice templates – created especially for photographers
• Service invoice and bill templates – for billing services rendered
• Microsoft Excel – blank invoice templates in Excel
• Microsoft Word – blank invoice templates in Word

Invoice Header

The first part of your document is going to be the header. It’s very important you include the words “Proforma Invoice” here. You’ll also want to include your business logo and business name. This makes your invoice easy to recognize and find if it gets lost. This invoice form is usually printed on official company letterhead, so it frequently includes this information. Next to include is your contact information: mailing address, telephone/telex number, email address, website, and country of origin. It is also helpful to include the date the invoice was created, the date it was requested, and the date it expires.

Buyer’s Contact Information

You should also add your buyer’s name and their contact information: mailing address, phone number, company name, and company email address.

Invoice Number and Dates

Your invoice needs a number. This number is going to be referenced in your and your buyer’s accounting information. You can use any number system you want, starting anywhere you want, but it should be sequential. For example, your invoice can read “Invoice #00516.” Your next invoice should be #00517 and so on. This helps keep track of invoices and helps you stay organized. Figure out what system you’re going to use to number the invoices and then develop a system to keep track of them. You should know who you sent an invoice to, when you sent it, and when payment is due. This can all be tracked in a Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet, Microsoft Word Document, Google Doc, or in some other accounting software.

Reason for Export

Since these invoices are being used to export goods, you will need to explain why you need to export them. Mention if the items are for sale, sample, repair, return, or gift. If the export is temporary (i.e. it’s going to have to be exported back in the case of repairs), put “temporarily exported.”

Shipment Information

At this point, you need to add the mode of transportation (air, car, train, etc), the total number of packages you’re sending, and the total gross weight of the shipment.

Itemized Breakdown of Charges

This part is where you need to break down the shipment and get into the nitty-gritty details. You need to be as specific as possible here. The majority of rejected proforma invoices are because what was provided either wasn’t important to the buyers or didn’t tell them what they needed to know. The more specific you get, the less chance there is your buyer will choose another supplier. Here’s a sample of what you should include:

• Assign a line item to each good being provided
• Type a detailed description, which includes a description of what’s being sold
• Number of units included
• Price per unit of each individual item
• Total cost

For instance, if you were selling a shipment of giant stuffed bears and giant stuffed pigs, your invoice would look something like this:

ID	DESCRIPTION	QTY	UNIT PRICE, $	TOTAL
1	9 Foot Soft Giant Teddy Bear 108 Inches Honey Brown Long Fur	1	$577.11	$577.11
2	5 Foot Giant Stuffed Pig 60 Inch Soft Pink Plush Piggy, Wears Official T-shirt	2	$157.21	$314.42

Tax, Shipping, and Total Due

Check the tax laws before calculating the proper sales tax. Add the shipping and handling charges that are necessary. For export, this includes and duties levied at customs by either country. Clearly list the total amount in the next line. Make sure all of this is clearly stated on your invoice. You don’t want to cover hundreds of dollars in shipping, tax, or customs fees because you calculated it wrong or completely forgot to add it.

Footer

Use the bottom of the blank invoice form to include additional information, such as your guarantee or your return policy on goods sold. Last but not least, take the time to thank your customer for their business. A little courtesy can go a long way!

Additional Items

If this invoice is being generated for international trade, it should also include things like the Buyer’s reference number and date of inquiry, the price of each item (in your country’s unit), delivery point, insurance, shipping, and customs costs, and estimated shipping date from a port or airport. If your business requires additional fields such as discounts, terms of sale, estimated shipping date, etc., you can modify the template appropriately.