3 real-world samples — filled in

Proforma Invoice Sample
& Example — Filled-In Templates (PDF)

See three realistic proforma invoice samples filled in with Incoterms, HS codes, and multi-currency fields — electronics export, consulting services, and wholesale trade. Free PDF download.

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Filled-in samplesFree PDF download3 industry variants
FE

My Company

123 Business Ave, New York

INVOICE

FAC-2026-001

DescriptionQtyPriceTotal
Website development115,00015,000.00
Annual hosting12,4002,400.00
Monthly maintenance38002,400.00

Total

19,800.00 USD

Three industries covered

Proforma Invoice Examples by Use Case

Whether you export goods, sell services, or distribute wholesale products, we have an example that matches your business.

Goods export example

See how to structure a proforma invoice for physical goods crossing international borders — with HS codes, weights, Incoterms, and country of origin fields.

Services example

Learn how to create a proforma invoice for consulting, IT, or professional services — with hourly rates, milestones, and reverse charge VAT handling.

Wholesale example

Discover the key fields for high-volume wholesale proforma invoices — bulk pricing, palletisation details, Halal/organic certifications, and FOB terms.

Real-world examples

Proforma Invoice Examples with Key Fields Explained

Example 1: Electronics Export — United States to United Kingdom

This proforma invoice covers the export of consumer electronics from a manufacturer in California to a distributor in London. Seller: TechFlow Inc., 500 Innovation Drive, San Jose, CA 95134, USA. EIN: 82-1234567. Buyer: BritElectro Ltd., 42 Commerce Lane, London EC2A 4NE, United Kingdom. Company No: 09876543. Items: 200 units of Wireless Headphones (HS code 8518.30.20) at $45.00 each = $9,000.00, 150 units of Bluetooth Speakers (HS code 8518.22.00) at $62.00 each = $9,300.00, 100 units of USB-C Charging Docks (HS code 8504.40.82) at $28.50 each = $2,850.00. Subtotal: $21,150.00. Shipping (CIF London): $1,200.00. Total: $22,350.00 USD. Incoterm: CIF. Payment terms: Irrevocable Letter of Credit at sight. Validity: 30 days. Country of origin: China (assembled in USA). Gross weight: 380 kg. This example shows how HS codes, Incoterms, and country of origin are essential for UK customs to calculate duties and verify import compliance.

Key fields explained — Electronics export example

HS codes (8518.30, 8518.22, 8504.40) allow customs to classify each product and apply the correct tariff rate. The Incoterm CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) means the seller pays for shipping and insurance to the destination port — the buyer takes responsibility once goods arrive in London. Payment via Letter of Credit protects both parties: the bank guarantees payment once shipping documents are presented. The country of origin field is critical because preferential trade agreements may reduce duties for goods originating in certain countries. Gross weight and package count help customs verify that the physical shipment matches the documentation. Without accurate HS codes and weight, this shipment could be delayed at UK customs for inspection.

Example 2: Consulting Services — B2B Professional Services

This proforma invoice covers IT consulting services for a software implementation project. Seller: DataBridge Consulting LLC, 1200 Market Street, Suite 400, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA. EIN: 47-9876543. Buyer: NordicTech Solutions AB, Storgatan 15, 111 29 Stockholm, Sweden. VAT: SE559012345601. Services: Project Discovery and Requirements Analysis — 40 hours at $175/hour = $7,000.00, System Architecture Design — 60 hours at $200/hour = $12,000.00, Implementation and Configuration — 120 hours at $185/hour = $22,200.00, User Training and Documentation — 24 hours at $150/hour = $3,600.00. Subtotal: $44,800.00. Tax: $0.00 (B2B reverse charge applies). Total: $44,800.00 USD. Payment terms: 30% advance upon acceptance ($13,440.00), 40% upon milestone delivery ($17,920.00), 30% upon project completion ($13,440.00). Validity: 60 days. This example demonstrates how service-based proforma invoices focus on hourly rates, milestones, and the reverse charge VAT mechanism for cross-border B2B services within certain jurisdictions.

Key fields explained — Consulting services example

For service-based proforma invoices, the description field replaces HS codes with detailed scope of work. Each service line includes hours, hourly rate, and line total so the client can evaluate the cost breakdown. The milestone-based payment structure (30/40/30) is standard for consulting projects — it reduces risk for both parties by tying payments to deliverables. The reverse charge mechanism means the Swedish buyer accounts for VAT in their own country rather than the US seller charging it. This is common for B2B services between countries with VAT agreements. The 60-day validity period gives the buyer time to obtain internal approvals. Note that even for services with no physical shipment, a proforma invoice is valuable for the buyer's budgeting, procurement, and accounting processes.

Example 3: Wholesale Trade — United States to the Middle East

This proforma invoice covers the export of organic food products from a US supplier to a distributor in Dubai, UAE. Seller: GreenHarvest Foods Corp., 800 Agricultural Pkwy, Portland, OR 97201, USA. EIN: 93-4567890. Buyer: Gulf Gourmet Trading LLC, Office 1205, Business Bay Tower, Dubai, UAE. Trade Licence: 678901. Items: 500 cartons of Organic Almond Butter (HS code 2008.19.90) at $38.00/carton = $19,000.00, 300 cartons of Organic Quinoa (HS code 1008.50.00) at $52.00/carton = $15,600.00, 200 cartons of Cold-Pressed Olive Oil (HS code 1509.10.20) at $72.00/carton = $14,400.00. Subtotal: $49,000.00. Freight (FOB Portland): $0.00 (buyer arranges shipping). Insurance: Buyer's responsibility. Total: $49,000.00 USD. Incoterm: FOB Portland. Payment terms: 100% advance via wire transfer (T/T) before shipment. Validity: 15 days. Country of origin: USA. Gross weight: 4,200 kg. Net weight: 3,800 kg. Number of packages: 1,000 cartons on 20 pallets. Special notes: All products are USDA Organic certified. Halal certification attached separately. Temperature-controlled container required for transit.

Key fields explained — Wholesale Middle East example

The Incoterm FOB (Free On Board) Portland means the seller delivers goods to the port in Portland and the buyer takes over responsibility, including shipping and insurance, from that point. This is common in wholesale trade where the buyer has established freight relationships. The 100% advance payment via wire transfer reflects the risk profile of new trade relationships — once trust is established, terms may shift to partial advance or Letter of Credit. The short 15-day validity accounts for volatile commodity pricing in the food sector. HS codes for food products are essential because the UAE applies different duty rates to processed vs. raw food. Halal certification is a regulatory requirement for food imports into UAE and other Gulf states. The gross and net weight distinction helps customs assess whether the shipment matches declared quantities, and noting the container type (temperature-controlled) helps the freight forwarder prepare the right equipment.

Common patterns across all proforma invoice examples

Looking at all three examples, several patterns emerge that apply to any proforma invoice regardless of industry. First, every document clearly identifies both parties with full legal names, addresses, and tax identifiers. Second, line items are described in enough detail for customs (or the client) to understand exactly what is being sold. Third, the currency and Incoterm remove ambiguity about who pays for what. Fourth, payment terms are explicit and protect both seller and buyer. Fifth, the validity period sets expectations for how long the offer remains open. Whether you are exporting electronics, selling consulting services, or shipping wholesale food products, these five elements form the backbone of an effective proforma invoice. Use our free tool to create proforma invoices that follow these best practices automatically.

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Products / Services

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Proforma Invoice
My Company LLC
123 Business Ave, New York, NY 10001
EIN: 12-3456789
No. PRO-2026-001
Date: 03/25/2026
Valid for: 30 days
Bill to
International Client Ltd.
456 Commerce Road, London, UK
Description
Qty
Unit Price
Total
Product A — Export
100
$25.00
$2500.00
Product B — Export
50
$40.00
$2000.00
Subtotal$4500.00
Tax (20%)$900.00
Total$5400.00
Terms: Net 30 | Incoterm: FOBCurrency: USD
Key differences

Proforma Invoice vs Commercial Invoice

Understanding the difference helps you choose the right document. A proforma invoice is a preliminary estimate; a commercial invoice is the legally binding payment request.

FonctionnalitéProforma InvoiceCommercial Invoice
Legally binding payment request
Issued before the sale is confirmed
Has accounting and tax value
Accepted by customs authorities
Used for letters of credit
Includes validity/expiry period
Includes payment due date
Sequential numbering required
Can be revised or cancelled
Required for final duty assessment

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about proforma invoice examples and how to create your own.

A proforma invoice looks similar to a commercial invoice but is clearly marked as "Proforma Invoice" at the top. It includes the seller's and buyer's details, an itemised list of goods or services with prices, the total amount in the transaction currency, payment terms, shipping terms (Incoterms), and a validity period. Our examples above show exactly how the document is structured for different industries.
Item descriptions should be detailed enough for customs officers or the buyer's procurement team to identify the products without ambiguity. For physical goods, include the product name, material, dimensions, HS code, and country of origin. For services, include the scope of work, hours or deliverables, and rate. Vague descriptions can cause customs delays or payment disputes.
HS codes are essential for any proforma invoice involving physical goods that cross international borders. They allow customs authorities to classify products and determine the correct duty rate. For domestic transactions or services, HS codes are not required. Our tool includes an HS code field that you can use or leave blank depending on the transaction type.
These examples illustrate the structure and content of effective proforma invoices. Rather than copying them manually, use our free online tool to create your own proforma invoice with all the correct fields pre-configured. You simply fill in your company details, client information, and line items — the tool handles formatting, numbering, and calculations.
The most common mistake is omitting or incorrectly listing HS codes, which causes customs delays and potential fines. Other frequent errors include: not specifying the Incoterm (leaving shipping responsibilities ambiguous), using an incorrect currency code, forgetting to include a validity period, and providing vague item descriptions that customs cannot classify. Our tool helps you avoid all of these by prompting for each required field.