Proforma Invoice vs Commercial Invoice (PI vs CI) | TradeDocs
PI vs CI: timing, bank remittance vs customs/accounting, document title and number. Generate both from one TradeDocs deal. /TradeDocs · https://tradedocs.comtools.cn/guides/pi-vs-ci.
Side-by-side
Purpose: PI confirms the deal and supports buyer remittance; CI is for customs, the forwarder and the buyer’s books. Timing: PI before deposit/payment; CI at shipment. Title: Proforma Invoice vs Commercial Invoice. Number: PI-… vs CI-…. Legal weight: PI is confirmatory; CI records the actual sale.
If quantities change
CI must follow actual shipment. Tell the buyer and forwarder; do not keep old PI qty on the CI. In TradeDocs update the deal, then export PI (historical) and CI (shipped) separately. Related packing list: /packing-list.
Still need QT and PL
Quotation comes before PI; packing list goes with CI. Full set: QT → PI → SC → CI + PL. Software: /export-documents. Deep guide: https://tradedocs.comtools.cn/guides/pi-vs-ci.
FAQ
QAre PI and CI the same document?
No. Different title, number, timing and use. Generate both from one TradeDocs deal: /proforma-invoice and /commercial-invoice.
QWhich one does the bank need?
T/T deposits often use the PI plus bank details. Customs and the buyer’s accounting use the CI. See https://tradedocs.comtools.cn/guides/tt-payment.