Proforma Invoice
An informational document prepared before the sale takes place, showing the items, quantities, amounts and delivery terms. It creates no accounting entry and does not replace an official invoice; it is used to obtain corporate purchasing approval, reserve budget and issue a payment instruction.
In corporate purchasing processes, payment usually passes through an approval chain. The proforma is the draft document submitted to that chain: it states what will be bought, in what quantity and on what delivery terms, but no sale transaction has arisen yet.
- It carries a validity period; once it expires, the terms are reconfirmed.
- Model and variant information must be written clearly in the item descriptions.
- After payment is made, an official invoice is issued in its place.
When preparing a proforma for industrial control products, showing supply voltage, number of channels, cable length and accessory items on separate lines prevents later disputes about incomplete delivery. When requesting the document, provide your company title, tax identification number and tax office details from the outset; since the official invoice will be issued with the same details, consistency is ensured. Proforma requests are created through the contact channels; the terms apply for the validity period stated in the offer.
Context in which this term is used: contact page