{"id":8733,"date":"2026-05-29T13:11:47","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T11:11:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/?post_type=manual_kb&#038;p=8733"},"modified":"2026-06-09T21:22:09","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T19:22:09","slug":"what-is-the-difference-between-a-proforma-and-an-invoice","status":"publish","type":"manual_kb","link":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/what-is-the-difference-between-a-proforma-and-an-invoice\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the difference between a proforma and an invoice?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"translation-block translation-block-merged\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When purchasing products or services, you may encounter two similar-looking documents: a proforma invoice and an invoice. Although they often contain similar information, they serve different purposes and have different legal implications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Understanding the difference between these documents is important for both businesses and individual customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_86 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/what-is-the-difference-between-a-proforma-and-an-invoice\/#What_Is_a_Proforma_Invoice\" >What Is a Proforma Invoice?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/what-is-the-difference-between-a-proforma-and-an-invoice\/#What_Is_an_Invoice\" >What Is an Invoice?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/what-is-the-difference-between-a-proforma-and-an-invoice\/#Key_Differences_Between_a_Proforma_Invoice_and_an_Invoice\" >Key Differences Between a Proforma Invoice and an Invoice<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/what-is-the-difference-between-a-proforma-and-an-invoice\/#When_Should_a_Proforma_Invoice_Be_Used\" >When Should a Proforma Invoice Be Used?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/what-is-the-difference-between-a-proforma-and-an-invoice\/#When_Should_an_Invoice_Be_Used\" >When Should an Invoice Be Used?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/what-is-the-difference-between-a-proforma-and-an-invoice\/#Summary\" >Summary<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_a_Proforma_Invoice\"><\/span>What Is a Proforma Invoice?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"mybox-3641013924\" class=\"mybox-content mybox-entity-placement\"><div class=\"early-access-banner-inpost\">\r\n  <div class=\"banner-left-inpost\">\r\n    <div class=\"icon-box-inpost\">\r\n      <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/square-info-icon.svg\" alt=\"Info\">\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"text-box-inpost\">\r\n      <span class=\"label-inpost\"><span class=\"translation-block translation-block-banner-text\">Early access<\/span><\/span>\r\n      <h4><span class=\"translation-block translation-block-banner-text\">Still need help?<\/span><\/h4>\r\n      <p><span class=\"translation-block translation-block-banner-text\">Contact our customer service team.<\/span><\/p>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <div class=\"banner-right-inpost\">\r\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/panel.mybox.com\/helpdesk2\/v\/list\/\" class=\"banner-button-inpost\"><span class=\"translation-block translation-block-banner-text\">Message us<\/span><\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"translation-block translation-block-merged\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A proforma invoice is a preliminary document issued before a sale is completed. It informs the customer about the products or services being offered, their prices, payment terms, and other transaction details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A proforma invoice is not an accounting document and does not confirm that a sale has taken place. It is commonly used as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A quotation or price offer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A request for advance payment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An order confirmation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A document used during international trade transactions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because a proforma invoice does not document an actual sale, it cannot usually be used for accounting or tax purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_an_Invoice\"><\/span>What Is an Invoice?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An invoice is an official accounting document issued after a product or service has been sold. It confirms that a transaction has taken place and specifies the amount owed by the buyer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Depending on local regulations, an invoice may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Invoice number<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Issue date<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Seller and buyer details<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Description of products or services<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Quantity and unit prices<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tax information<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Total amount due<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Payment deadline<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Invoices are used for bookkeeping, tax reporting, and financial settlements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Differences_Between_a_Proforma_Invoice_and_an_Invoice\"><\/span>Key Differences Between a Proforma Invoice and an Invoice<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Proforma Invoice<\/th><th>Invoice<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Preliminary document<\/td><td>Official accounting document<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Issued before the sale is completed<\/td><td>Issued after the sale or service<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Does not create a tax obligation<\/td><td>May create a tax obligation depending on local regulations<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Cannot usually be used for accounting purposes<\/td><td>Used for accounting and tax records<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Often used to request payment<\/td><td>Confirms payment is due or has been requested<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Does not prove a transaction occurred<\/td><td>Confirms a transaction took place<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_Should_a_Proforma_Invoice_Be_Used\"><\/span>When Should a Proforma Invoice Be Used?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A proforma invoice is commonly used when:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Requesting payment before delivery<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Preparing custom orders<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Selling products internationally<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Providing customers with a detailed quotation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Confirming order details before issuing a final invoice<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_Should_an_Invoice_Be_Used\"><\/span>When Should an Invoice Be Used?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An invoice should be issued when:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Goods have been sold<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Services have been provided<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A transaction must be recorded for accounting purposes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tax regulations require transaction documentation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Summary\"><\/span>Summary<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While a proforma invoice and an invoice may look similar, they serve different purposes. A proforma invoice is an informational document used before a transaction is completed, while an invoice is an official financial document that confirms a sale and can be used for accounting and tax purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Businesses often use proforma invoices to provide payment information before delivery, then issue a final invoice once the transaction has been completed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","manualknowledgebasecat":[19],"manual_kb_tag":[6839,6840,6841,6842,3512,6834,6835,6836,6837,6838],"class_list":["post-8733","manual_kb","type-manual_kb","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","manualknowledgebasecat-invoices-and-payments","manual_kb_tag-proforma-invoice-vs-invoice","manual_kb_tag-accounting-document","manual_kb_tag-tax-documentation","manual_kb_tag-international-trade","manual_kb_tag-proforma-invoice","manual_kb_tag-invoice","manual_kb_tag-difference-between-proforma-and-invoice","manual_kb_tag-proforma-invoice-meaning","manual_kb_tag-invoice-definition","manual_kb_tag-invoice-vs-proforma"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb\/8733","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/manual_kb"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb\/8733\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8734,"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb\/8733\/revisions\/8734"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8733"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"manualknowledgebasecat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manualknowledgebasecat?post=8733"},{"taxonomy":"manual_kb_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb_tag?post=8733"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}