Question 1

What is a proforma invoice?

Accepted Answer

A proforma invoice (also written pro forma invoice) is a preliminary invoice sent before the final, taxable invoice exists — to agree the price, request a deposit or advance payment, or support customs paperwork. The proforma invoice meaning is in the name: it is issued “for form's sake”, showing the items and totals the real invoice will carry, but it is not a tax invoice and is never recorded as income. That is the working definition of a pro forma invoice.

Question 2

Proforma invoice vs invoice — and what is a commercial invoice?

Accepted Answer

A proforma comes before the deal is final: it previews what the invoice will say. The invoice itself requests payment for goods or services supplied, and counts for tax. A commercial invoice is a different document again — the customs declaration used in international shipping, listing the goods, their value and their origin for border authorities. Invoicekin makes proformas and invoices; for cross-border shipping, your carrier or customs broker handles the commercial invoice paperwork.

Question 3

Can a client pay against a proforma?

Accepted Answer

Yes — that's its main job (deposits and advances). You still issue the real invoice afterwards for the record.

Question 4

Does a proforma go in my accounts?

Accepted Answer

No — it's not a tax document. Only the final invoice counts.

Question 5

Is a proforma a real invoice?

Accepted Answer

No — it is a preliminary bill for advance payment or customs; you issue the real invoice afterwards.

Question 6

Can I download the result?

Accepted Answer

Yes — every tool on Invoicekin has Download PDF and Download DOC buttons under the result, and downloading is free for everyone: no account, no plan gate. The PDF is a clean print sheet; the DOC is a real Word file you can edit.

Proforma Invoice Generator

Is a proforma a real invoice?