Commerce & logistics

Invoices and receipts for import and export traders

Import and export traders move goods across borders and rely on commercial and proforma invoices that describe the goods, values and terms precisely. That paperwork has to be clear and complete. Receipt Caker lets you build these itemized invoices in your browser, with totals calculated automatically, then export a free PNG or a watermark-free PDF with your logo.

How do import export traders invoice?: Receipt Caker is a free browser tool traders use to build commercial and proforma invoices for cross-border trade. List each type of goods with quantity, unit price and description, and the subtotal, tax and total calculate automatically. Add both parties, the terms of sale and currency, preview it live, then export a free PNG or a watermark-free PDF with your logo to send with the shipment.

Documents import/export traders issue

Commercial invoice

The core trade document describing the goods, quantities, values and terms of sale between buyer and seller.

Proforma invoice

A preliminary invoice sent before shipment so the buyer can arrange payment, finance or an import licence.

Packing list

A document itemizing the contents, quantities and packaging of a shipment for handling and checking.

Payment receipt

Confirmation that a commercial invoice has been settled, recording the amount, currency and date.

Why import/export traders use Receipt Caker

Describe each type of goods with quantity, unit price and clear descriptions.
Build both proforma and commercial invoices from the same itemized structure.
State the terms of sale, currency and both parties clearly on every document.
Produce a matching packing list itemizing the shipment contents.
Export free PNG images or watermark-free PDFs carrying your trading-company branding.

How the billing workflow works

1
Add both parties
Enter your trading business and the overseas buyer or seller, with the shipment reference.
2
List the goods
Add each type of goods with quantity, unit price and description; totals build automatically.
3
State terms and currency
Note the terms of sale, currency and any charges, then apply tax where relevant.
4
Export and send
Download a free PNG or watermark-free PDF and send it with the shipment yourself.

The commercial invoice

The commercial invoice is the central document in cross-border trade. It describes the goods, their quantities and values, names both parties and states the terms of sale. Accuracy here matters because the document travels with the shipment.

Receipt Caker lets you list each type of goods as a line item with a clear description, quantity and unit price, and the totals build automatically. You add both parties, the shipment reference and the terms, producing a clean, complete invoice you can export and send with the goods.

Proformas before shipment

Before goods ship, buyers often need a proforma invoice to arrange payment, finance or an import licence. It mirrors the commercial invoice but is issued in advance, confirming what will be shipped and what it will cost.

You can build the proforma first in Receipt Caker, then produce the matching commercial invoice once the deal is firm, reusing the same line structure. Keeping both consistent means the buyer sees exactly what they expected when the goods arrive.

Clear descriptions and terms

Cross-border paperwork demands precise descriptions and clearly stated terms of sale so both parties, and anyone handling the shipment, understand the arrangement. Vague line items cause delays and disputes.

Because you write every line description yourself, you can describe goods precisely and note the currency and terms of sale plainly on the document. A matching packing list itemizing the shipment contents rounds out the paperwork, giving handlers a clear record of what is in each consignment.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a commercial and proforma invoice?

A commercial invoice is the final document that accompanies a shipment, describing the goods, their values, both parties and the terms of sale. A proforma invoice is a preliminary version sent before shipment so the buyer can arrange payment, finance or an import licence based on the expected cost. In Receipt Caker you build both the same way, listing each type of goods with a description, quantity and unit price while the totals calculate automatically, and you simply label the document accordingly. Because they share the same structure, you can create the proforma first and then produce a matching commercial invoice once the deal is confirmed, keeping the figures consistent. The tool produces the documents; it does not file them with any authority or convert one into the other automatically, so you manage that yourself, keeping full control over both.

Can I invoice in a foreign currency?

You control the text on every line and field in Receipt Caker, so you can state the currency your trade is priced in and enter the values accordingly. Cross-border deals are often agreed in a specific currency, and you note that clearly on the invoice alongside the amounts so both parties are certain what is owed and in what denomination. The subtotal, tax and total calculate from the figures you enter, whatever currency they represent. The tool does not convert between currencies or apply live exchange rates, so you enter the agreed amounts directly. Stating the currency plainly, along with the terms of sale, avoids confusion for the buyer and their bank when the payment is made. This keeps your international paperwork clear and lets you present each deal in the currency that was actually agreed.

Can I produce a packing list too?

Yes. Alongside the commercial invoice, you can build a packing list in Receipt Caker that itemizes the contents of a shipment for handling and checking. List each type of goods with its quantity and a clear description, mirroring the invoice so the two documents reconcile. A packing list typically focuses on contents and packaging rather than values, and because you control every line you can present it however your shipment needs. Keeping the packing list and commercial invoice consistent helps handlers and the receiving party check the consignment against the paperwork. The tool does not generate the list from the invoice automatically, so you build it as its own document using the same itemized approach. Exporting it as a clean PNG or watermark-free PDF gives you a professional record to travel with the goods.

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