What is the invoice and what is the order of its completion?

The answer to the question "what is an invoice" can be found in any encyclopedia. This is a document that is provided to the buyer by the seller and contains a certain list of goods with an indication of their quantity and the price at which they must be delivered to the client. Also in this document, some features of the product (for example, weight or color), certain delivery conditions and basic data about the recipient and the sender should be indicated.

Definition and basic requisites

In specialized literature there is also a definition of what an invoice is. This is a written invoice showing the buyer's obligation to pay for the goods received in accordance with the reflected conditions. However, there is one peculiarity - the invoice does not apply to deliveries made on prepayment. The main requisites of this document are the date and number, the details of the counterparties, a brief description of the goods with the country of origin, quantity and value per unit, total cost, terms of delivery.

Filling out the invoice

In the domestic practice, the invoice is absent in the Western sense. When calculating between counterparties, an invoice is used, which is filled exclusively within the framework of tax control and can not be accepted as an analogue of the invoice. Therefore, what is an invoice becomes reliably known only during various international deliveries. Thus, the invoice is a kind of invoice for payment. The exporter must be issued this document immediately upon shipment of the goods and sent to the buyer. It is the payment of the invoice that is the basis for the transfer of funds.

Types of invoices

In the case of an advance payment by a foreign buyer in accordance with the contract, the exporter usually issues a pro forma invoice that contains the same requisites as the usual invoice. However, the difference still exists - the data is preliminary.

A commercial invoice issued later must already contain actual accurate data that is obtained on the basis of information on the shipment of goods or the provision of services. What is an invoice, both partners should understand. Therefore, it is made in any language. Basically it's English. International practice does not always require the signing of an invoice, but sometimes this requirement is mandatory.

The proforma may reflect the permissible deviations in the quantity of the goods in accordance with the concluded contract. The same document defines the terms of delivery.

The total amount to be paid is indicated in the currency that is set by the contract. However, in the case of payment by a foreign buyer in a currency other than that specified in the contract, the invoice shall indicate the rate at which the recalculation will be carried out.

Summarizing the above, it should be noted that the invoice is a document that is presented at the customs office with the purpose of verifying the delivery of goods of international importance. This document is a necessary attribute for absolutely all goods transferred or sold to the recipient by the sender.