Proforma vs. commercial invoice: Which one to use
- Proforma invoice vs. commercial invoice
- Do you always need to transition to a commercial invoice?
- Automate invoices in minutes with Ramp Bill Pay
Choosing between a proforma invoice and a commercial invoice depends on your business needs and where you are in the sales process. While both documents facilitate transactions, they serve very different purposes. Understanding the differences between these two types of invoices ensures your business stays compliant, professional, and efficient.
Proforma invoice vs. commercial invoice
Proforma and commercial invoices are similar, but the key difference lies in their purpose: Proforma invoices are preliminary estimates, while commercial invoices are finalized bills of sale. In more detail:
- Proforma invoice: A draft or estimate of a transaction sent to the buyer before the sale is finalized. It provides a description of the goods or services requested, as well as associated costs and payment terms. Proforma invoices are not legally binding.
- Commercial invoice: The final bill of sale issued after a transaction is confirmed. It acts as a legally binding document and includes detailed information on the goods or services provided, along with accepted payment methods, terms, shipping costs, and estimated delivery dates.
At a glance: Key differences compared
Criteria | Proforma invoice | Commercial invoice |
|---|---|---|
Purpose | Provides a non-binding, preliminary bill for goods or services | Official document that acts as the final invoice |
Timing | Issued before the transaction is finalized | Issued after the transaction is confirmed |
Recordkeeping | Not used for accounting purposes | Required for financial and accounting records |
Content | Includes estimated costs, descriptions, shipping terms | Includes full details of quantities, unit prices, taxes, and total amount |
Customs use | Often used for pre-clearance of international trade | Required for compliance with customs authorities when goods cross international borders |
Personalization | May be customized for specific negotiations | Reflects finalized terms with no room for changes |
Legal status | Preliminary document; not legally binding | Legal document; binding and enforceable |
Proforma invoices are ideal for setting expectations, while commercial invoices are crucial for closing deals, maintaining compliance, and proper invoice processing. Using the correct document ensures smoother business operations and better client relationships.
Do you always need to transition to a commercial invoice?
Not every proforma invoice requires transitioning into a commercial invoice. Proforma invoices are often used in preliminary discussions, especially for international transactions or early negotiations.
However, once a deal is confirmed, a commercial invoice is typically required to finalize the sale and for proper recordkeeping. For international shipments, a commercial invoice is essential for customs clearance and legal compliance. For domestic sales, it depends on the transaction type and legal requirements in your industry.
When in doubt, transitioning to a commercial invoice ensures professionalism, accuracy, and compliance, protecting both your business and your clients.
Automate invoices in minutes with Ramp Bill Pay
Whether proforma or commercial, invoices are essential for managing transactions. Ramp’s modern invoice management software streamlines the entire process, making it faster and more efficient from invoice creation to payment.
Here’s why Ramp Bill Pay makes processing invoices easier:
- Time savings through automation: Automate invoice creation, tracking, and approvals to spend less time on manual tasks
- Seamless integration with ERPs: Sync directly with QuickBooks, NetSuite, and other platforms to keep your financial data connected and accurate
- Real-time visibility into cash flow: Get instant updates on payment statuses, helping you stay on top of your finances
Ramp ensures your invoicing process is efficient and hassle-free. Learn more about how Ramp’s AP automation software has teams doing a month’s worth of AP in minutes.
Don't miss these
“We’ve simplified our workflows while improving accuracy, and we are faster in closing with the help of automation. We could not have achieved this without the solutions Ramp brought to the table.”
Kaustubh Khandelwal
VP of Finance, Poshmark
“Our previous bill pay process probably took a good 10 hours per AP batch. Now it just takes a couple of minutes between getting an invoice entered, approved, and processed.”
Jason Hershey
VP of Finance and Accounting, Hospital Association of Oregon
“When looking for a procure-to-pay solution we wanted to make everyone’s life easier. We wanted a one-click type of solution, and that’s what we’ve achieved with Ramp.”
Mandy Mobley
Finance Invoice & Expense Coordinator, Crossings Community Church
“We no longer have to comb through expense records for the whole month — having everything in one spot has been really convenient. Ramp's made things more streamlined and easy for us to stay on top of. It's been a night and day difference.”
Fahem Islam
Accounting Associate, Snapdocs
“It's great to be able to park our operating cash in the Ramp Business Account where it earns an actual return and then also pay the bills from that account to maximize float.”
Mike Rizzo
Accounting Manager, MakeStickers
“The practice managers love Ramp, it allows them to keep some agency for paying practice expenses. They like that they can instantaneously attach receipts at the time of transaction, and that they can text back-and-forth with the automated system. We've gotten a lot of good feedback from users.”
Greg Finn
Director of FP&A, Align ENTA
“The reason I've been such a super fan of Ramp is the product velocity. Not only is it incredibly beneficial to the user, it’s also something that gives me confidence in your ability to continue to pull away from other products.”
Tyler Bliha
CEO, Abode
