On this page
Key takeaways
- Invoice types differ by purpose: asking for payment, quoting, clearing customs, claiming tax or correcting an earlier bill.
- A proforma is not a request for payment. A commercial invoice is used for customs. A tax invoice carries the tax details the law requires.
- Credit and debit notes adjust an earlier invoice, they do not replace it.
- Use the right type and label it clearly so the other side books it correctly.
Free PDF and Excel: Invoice types chooser and quick reference. Get it below
The main types
An invoice type is a form of invoice defined by its purpose and by who uses it, such as a tax invoice for claiming input tax or a commercial invoice for customs.
| Type | Purpose | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Standard invoice | Asks for payment for goods or services supplied | Invoice example |
| Service invoice | Bills time or deliverables | Service invoice |
| Proforma invoice | A preview of a sale, not a bill | Proforma invoice |
| Commercial invoice | Customs value and goods description for export | Commercial invoice |
| Tax invoice | Meets the tax law so the buyer can claim credit | GST, UK VAT, Australia, UAE |
| Recurring invoice | Repeat billing on a schedule | Recurring invoice |
| Progress or interim invoice | Stage billing on long projects | Progress billing |
| Credit note or memo | Reduces an earlier invoice | Credit note, credit memo |
| Debit note or memo | Increases an earlier invoice | Debit note, debit memo |
| Past due invoice | Reminder for an unpaid bill | Past due invoice |
| Self-billing invoice | Issued by the buyer for the seller | Self-billing |
| E-invoice | Structured data invoice | E-invoicing |
A company exports machinery. It sends a proforma to the buyer to arrange a letter of credit, issues a commercial invoice for customs, issues a tax invoice for the zero-rated export where local law requires one, and sends a credit note later for a part returned under warranty. Four documents, four jobs.
Choosing
- Are you asking for payment now? Use a standard, service or tax invoice.
- Are you quoting before the sale? Use a proforma, or a quotation.
- Is it crossing a border? Add a commercial invoice and check the rest of the shipping documents.
- Does the buyer claim tax credit? Use the local tax invoice format.
- Are you correcting a bill? Use a credit or debit note.
- The document type is labelled in the title.
- Numbering is sequential. See invoice number.
- Terms are stated. See payment terms.
- Tax fields meet local law.
Last checked: 19 October 2026. Invoice names and legal requirements differ by country.
Free PDF and Excel
Invoice types chooser and quick reference
A one-page chooser that points you to the right invoice type, with fields to check on each.
- Type chooser
- Fields to check
- Common mix-ups
- Excel type log
Frequently asked questions
What are the types of invoices?
Standard, service, proforma, commercial, tax, recurring, progress, credit and debit notes, past due, self-billing and e-invoices, among others.
What is the difference between a proforma and a commercial invoice?
A proforma is a preview before the sale. A commercial invoice is the final document used for customs and payment.
Which invoice type do I need for tax credit?
A valid tax invoice in the format your country requires.
What is an interim invoice?
An invoice for part of a project, issued before it is finished.
Is a receipt an invoice?
No. A receipt shows payment was made. See invoice versus receipt.