Does a UAE proforma invoice need to charge VAT?

No. A proforma is not a Tax Invoice, so it does not trigger VAT. You can still show an indicative 5% VAT line so the buyer knows the full expected cost.

Can I use a proforma invoice for UAE customs?

Proformas are commonly accepted for pre-clearance and permit applications, but the final commercial invoice is still required at clearance.

How long should the proforma stay valid?

Most UAE traders set 15 to 30 days. DocMak prints the validity date so the price is not treated as open-ended.

How do I turn the proforma into a Tax Invoice later?

Open the invoice maker, keep the same line items and add your sequential Tax Invoice number and TRN — the supply is then recorded correctly for VAT.

United Arab Emirates · AED · 5% VAT · Federal Tax Authority (FTA)

UAE Proforma Invoice Maker — AED Proformas for Trade and LC Openings

A proforma invoice commits your price and terms before the supply happens. UAE traders use it to open letters of credit, obtain advance payment, secure customs pre-clearance and support import permits. DocMak issues one in AED with indicative VAT and a clear non-tax-invoice disclaimer.

Create a UAE Proforma Invoice العربية

Opens the DocMak proforma editor with AED and UAE trade fields preset.

Clearly marked "Proforma Invoice" — not a Tax Invoice
AED pricing with indicative 5% VAT shown separately
Validity period, Incoterms, port of loading and delivery terms
Bank details block for telegraphic transfer or LC issuance
Convert to a full FTA Tax Invoice once the supply is made

How to create a uae proforma invoice maker in United Arab Emirates

1Open the UAE Proforma Invoice MakerOpen the free UAE Proforma Invoice Maker and pick the template that matches how you trade in United Arab Emirates.
2Add your company detailsEnter your trade name, address, tax registration number and logo once — they are reused on every document.
3Fill in the line itemsAdd the document lines and amounts in the local currency, with the correct tax treatment for each line in United Arab Emirates.
4Download and sendReview the preview, then download a clean PDF or Word file and send it to your client, supplier or bank.

Why UAE businesses issue a proforma before the tax invoice

A proforma invoice is not a Tax Invoice and does not create a VAT liability. It is a quotation-grade commitment used to unlock a payment, a bank instrument or a shipment. Under UAE VAT rules, the tax point arises on the earliest of supply, invoice date or payment receipt — so DocMak labels the proforma explicitly to keep the two documents apart in your records.

Opening or amending a letter of credit with a UAE bank
Collecting an advance payment before production begins
Supporting import permits and customs pre-clearance in Jebel Ali or Khalifa Port
Giving a purchasing department a document to raise a purchase order against

Fields UAE banks and freight forwarders look for

Trade finance teams reject proformas that are missing shipment or beneficiary details. DocMak includes the fields most often requested by UAE banks and forwarders.