Order documents
The PI and CI answer different questions.
The PI records the approved preorder. The CI records the goods and charges proceeding to shipment.
Three documents, three questions
PI
Proforma invoice
What are we prepared to order on the stated terms?
Issued with the reviewed preorder before purchasing begins. It records the approved lines, commercial basis, and deposit required.
CI
Commercial invoice
What goods and charges are proceeding to shipment?
Issued after preparation is confirmed. It reflects the final goods, agreed charges, deposit credit, and remaining amount due.
PL
Packing list
How is the confirmed shipment packed?
Issued for the prepared shipment. It records quantities, cartons, weights, measurements, and packing references.
Before purchasing
The PI belongs to the approved preorder.
It is the document you check before the first payment. The product lines and payment figures on the PI should match the preorder you approved.
A PI is not proof that the goods have left Korea. It records the proposed commercial basis and the payment required to begin.
- Seller and purchasing company
- PI number and issue date
- Product lines and quantities
- Unit prices and totals
- Currency and delivery basis
- Deposit and remaining balance
- Payment terms and order references
Before shipment
The CI belongs to the prepared order.
It records the confirmed goods and commercial value proceeding to shipment. If quantities or agreed charges changed during preparation, the CI reflects the revised order rather than repeating the original preorder total.
The deposit already received is credited against the final amount. The remaining balance shown on the CI is settled before shipment release.
- Exporter and consignee
- Invoice and order references
- Final products and quantities
- Unit prices and line totals
- Agreed adjustments and logistics charges
- Deposit credit and amount due
- Shipping basis and destination
The packing list describes the physical shipment.
It supports the same prepared order but answers a different question from the CI. It records how the goods are packed, including product quantities, carton count, gross weight, and shipment measurements.
These samples use fictional company and order details. They show the document structure only and are not quotations, payment requests, or evidence of shipment.