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 specific list of goods indicating their quantity and price at which they should be delivered to the customer. Also in this document should be indicated some of the features of the product (for example, weight or color), certain delivery conditions and basic information about the recipient and sender.
Definition and basic details
In the specialized literature, there is also a definition of what an invoice is. This is an invoice issued, indicating that the buyer has obligations to pay for the goods received in accordance with the reflected conditions. However, there is one feature - the invoice does not apply to deliveries made on a prepaid basis. The main details of this document are the date and number, details of the counterparties, a brief description of the goods with an indication of the country of its origin, quantity and cost per unit (unit), total cost, delivery conditions.
Invoice Filling
In domestic practice, there is no invoice in the Western sense. When making settlements between counterparties, an invoice is used, which is filled out exclusively within the framework of tax control and cannot be accepted as an analogue of an invoice. Therefore, the fact that such an invoice becomes reliably known only during various international deliveries. Thus, an invoice is a kind of invoice for payment. The exporter must write out 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.
Varieties of Invoice
If a foreign buyer transfers an advance in accordance with the contract, the exporter usually writes out a proforma invoice that contains the same details as a regular invoice. However, the difference still exists - the data is preliminary.
A commercial invoice issued later should already contain factual accurate data, which are obtained on the basis of information about the shipment of goods or the provision of services. What is an invoice, both partners must understand. Therefore, it is compiled in any language. This is mainly English. International practice does not always require the signing of an invoice, but sometimes this requirement is mandatory.
Proforma may reflect allowable deviations in the quantity of goods in accordance with the contract. The same document defines the terms of delivery.
The total amount payable is indicated in the currency 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 should indicate the rate at which recalculation will be carried out.
Summing up, it should be noted that the invoice is a document that is presented at customs in order to verify 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.