A proforma invoice is the factory’s preliminary invoice for an order. It states the exact model, variant, quantity, price and delivery terms the factory will work to, and it is normally the document your deposit is paid against. It is not the commercial invoice used for customs clearance, which is issued later against the goods that actually ship. Read the proforma line by line: once production starts, the factory builds and prints to what it says.
Key Takeaways
- The proforma invoice fixes model, variant, price and terms before production; the deposit is paid against it.
- It is not the customs document — that is the commercial invoice issued at shipment.
- Check variant, branding scope, Incoterm and beneficiary name before paying anything.
- Any order change needs a reissued proforma, not an email agreement.
Proforma Invoice vs Commercial Invoice
| Proforma invoice | Commercial invoice | |
|---|---|---|
| When it is issued | Before production, at order confirmation | At shipment, against the packed goods |
| Main job | Fixes the specification, price and terms; supports the deposit payment | Declares the shipment’s value and contents to customs |
| What it must match | Your purchase order and the agreed specification | The packing list, bill of lading and the goods themselves |
| Can it change? | Yes — ask for a revised copy whenever the order changes | Only by formal correction after issue |
The contract or purchase order carries the legal terms behind both documents. Where the papers disagree, sort it out before money moves, not after.
What a Charger Proforma Should Show
- The seller’s and buyer’s full legal names and addresses
- The exact model and variant: connector standard (J1772, NACS or Type 2), plug type, cable length and current rating
- The certification basis for your market, matching the model you will receive
- The branding scope in writing: logo printing, housing colours, packaging and app branding, and which items are included in the price
- Quantity, unit price and total, in a named currency
- The Incoterm and named place, for example FOB Shenzhen or DDP your warehouse — the difference is explained in FOB vs DDP
- The payment schedule it belongs to, and a validity date after which prices may be reviewed
- Bank beneficiary details that match the seller’s legal name
Checks That Prevent Expensive Mistakes
Pay against the current version. Specifications change during sampling. If the connector, cable or branding changed, the proforma should have been reissued; a deposit paid against an old version invites an argument about which document governed.
Confirm the variant, not just the model name. One charger platform can ship with different plugs and connectors. The proforma is where the exact configuration is pinned down, as the sample stage discussed in how an OEM project works should have settled.
Treat bank details as a fraud checkpoint. If payment instructions arrive with a beneficiary that does not match the seller on the proforma, stop and verify by phone. This is the single most common payment loss in factory trade, and our guide to payment terms for OEM orders covers it in detail.
Ordering From EVDANCE
EVDANCE runs its OEM and private-label program from its Shenzhen factory, with private label available from 100 units and a 3-year standard warranty. Whatever factory you use, ask for the proforma to restate the full agreed specification, and route questions through the distributor program page if you buy for resale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a proforma invoice a legal contract?
On its own it is a formal quotation and order confirmation. The binding obligations usually sit in the sales contract or accepted purchase order behind it, so keep both documents and make sure they agree.
Can customs clear a shipment with a proforma invoice?
No. Clearance is based on the commercial invoice issued at shipment. In some countries a proforma is used earlier, for import pre-registration or foreign-exchange approval, but it does not replace the final invoice.
Should I pay the full order value against a proforma?
The usual pattern is a deposit against the proforma and the balance at the agreed later milestone, covered in payment terms for OEM EV charger orders. Paying everything up front removes your leverage if the specification drifts.
Related Reading
- Payment Terms for OEM EV Charger Orders: T/T, L/C and Deposits
- How an OEM EV Charger Project Works, Step by Step
- What Drives the Unit Cost of an OEM EV Charger
- How Much Does It Cost to Start an EV Charger Brand?
