What is a proforma invoice?

A preliminary bill issued by a seller before delivery to confirm prices, quantities and terms. It is used for advance payments, LC opening, PO approval and customs pre-clearance.

Is a proforma invoice the same as a commercial invoice?

No. A proforma is issued before the transaction as a quote or approval document, while a commercial (tax) invoice is issued after the supply and is used for VAT reporting and customs.

Can I create a UAE proforma invoice online?

Yes. DocMak lets you choose a template, edit every field live and download an editable Word or PDF invoice — with full UAE VAT / TRN and AED support.

What details should a proforma invoice include?

Company header, TRN and trade licence, invoice number and validity date, buyer details, itemised table with unit price and VAT, totals, payment and delivery terms, bank details and authorised signature.

Do UAE invoices require VAT details?

Tax invoices under UAE VAT law require the supplier TRN and 5% VAT breakdown. Proforma invoices are not tax invoices but businesses typically include TRN and VAT on the proforma for transparency.

Can I create Arabic proforma invoices?

Yes — every template is available in Arabic with full RTL formatting, and in a bilingual English/Arabic layout.

Can I customise the invoice design?

Yes. Every element — table columns, colours, company branding, terms, footer and signature — is editable live in the DocMak editor.

Can I download the invoice in Word and PDF?

Yes. You can download professional Word (.docx) and PDF exports from the same editor at any time.

Proforma Invoice Maker

Confirm prices, quantities, Incoterms and payment terms before you supply, previewed live.

Step 2 of 3

English

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How it works

Step 1

Pick a template

Choose a standard, export, import or trading proforma layout.

Step 2

Fill in details

Add buyer, seller, goods, Incoterms, validity and bank details.

Step 3

Download or send

Download a PDF or email it to the buyer or their bank.

Proforma invoices for advance payments and trade

A proforma invoice states an agreed transaction before any goods move. It is the document a buyer needs to release an advance payment, a bank needs to open a letter of credit, and an importer needs to arrange customs pre-clearance. Because it is not a tax invoice, it should not be booked as a sale, but GCC businesses still show their tax number and VAT so the buyer can see the final figure.

DocMak proforma templates cover local supply, export and import deals, trading orders and advance-payment requests. Enter both companies with their tax registration details, list each item with quantity, unit price and VAT, then set the Incoterm, port details, country of origin, delivery timeline, validity date and bank details for the transfer. English, Arabic and bilingual layouts are available with right-to-left support. Once the order is confirmed, carry the same details into a tax invoice, packing list or delivery note. Download a PDF, save the proforma for reuse, or send it by email with a secure link.

Running import or export shipments? Visit DocMak Trade for trade document tools and guides.

Continue your workflow

Quotation Maker

Price the deal before it is confirmed.

Create

Invoice Maker

Issue the tax invoice after supply.

Create

Packing List Maker

List cartons and weights for the shipment.

Create

Sale of Goods Agreement Maker

Put the supply terms in a signed contract.

Create

Quick answers

Proforma invoice FAQs

Proforma Invoice guide, templates and country rules

Everything that pairs with the proforma invoice generator — the step-by-step guide, the templates businesses use alongside it, and the GCC rules covering local proforma invoice requirements.

Matching guide

Learn how to write a proforma invoice

Related templates

Templates used with a proforma invoice

Country rules

Proforma Invoice Maker

How it works

Pick a template

Fill in details

Download or send

Proforma invoices for advance payments and trade

You may also need

Quotation Maker

Invoice Maker

Packing List Maker

Sale of Goods Agreement Maker

Proforma invoice FAQs

What is a proforma invoice?

Is a proforma invoice the same as a commercial invoice?

Can I create a UAE proforma invoice online?

What details should a proforma invoice include?

Do UAE invoices require VAT details?

Can I create Arabic proforma invoices?

Proforma Invoice guide, templates and country rules

Learn how to write a proforma invoice

Templates used with a proforma invoice

Proforma Invoice rules by GCC country