---
title: "Proforma Invoice Format for Advance Payment"
canonical: https://luckpanda.app/templates/proforma-invoice-format
language: en
updated: 2026-10-09
content: full
---

# Proforma invoice format

**What is the proforma invoice format in India?** An Indian proforma invoice follows the GST tax invoice layout but is titled "Proforma invoice" and numbered in its own series. It shows the seller's and buyer's GSTIN, each item with HSN or SAC, quantity, rate, taxable value and the CGST and SGST or IGST expected, plus validity, the advance required, delivery terms and bank details. It creates no GST liability and gives the buyer no input tax credit.

- Top: "Proforma invoice", PI number, date, valid-until date.
- Middle: parties with GSTIN and state code, then the item table with HSN/SAC and GST.
- Foot: advance and balance terms, delivery, bank details, "not a tax invoice", signature.
- For the full rules (customs, letters of credit, other countries) see the [proforma invoice guide](https://luckpanda.app/tools/proforma-invoice).

Free online tool: https://luckpanda.app/templates/proforma-invoice-format (create on screen, no account needed).

## The proforma invoice format, block by block

GST law does not prescribe a format for proforma invoices: they are commercial documents. Indian buyers, banks and departments nevertheless expect them to look like the tax invoice that will follow, because they check one against the other. The safest layout is the [GST invoice format](https://luckpanda.app/templates/gst-invoice-format) with three changes: the title, a separate number series and the payment terms block.

Narmada Electrical Drives in Vadodara is supplying four motors with control panels to an agro-processing plant in Indore. The buyer's board approves capital purchases against a proforma, and the supplier wants 30% before it starts building the panels.

![Example Indian proforma invoice PI/2026-27/058 from Narmada Electrical Drives, Vadodara, Gujarat, to Krishna Agro Processing Pvt Ltd, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, for four 15 kW motors, four VFD control panels and packing, with IGST at 18%, total 5,28,640 rupees, 30% advance, with numbered notes on each block.](https://luckpanda.app/img/guide/en--proforma-invoice-format--india-proforma.svg)

*A proforma invoice in the Indian GST layout. Gujarat to Madhya Pradesh is inter-state, so the GST shown is IGST.*

1. **"Proforma invoice"**, never "Tax invoice", so the buyer does not book it or claim credit.
2. **PI number** from its own series, here with the financial year.
3. **Valid until**: banks and boards reject stale proformas; 15 to 30 days is usual.
4. **Place of supply** with state code: decides IGST or CGST plus SGST on the tax invoice.
5. **Seller GSTIN**, legal name and address, exactly as on the tax invoice.
6. **Buyer GSTIN** and address; banks match the name to the loan or remittance file.
7. **HSN or SAC** per line, at the digits your turnover requires on the tax invoice.
8. **GST shown for information**: nothing is payable on the proforma itself.
9. **Bank details** for the advance and a "not a tax invoice" line.

| Block | What to put in it | Indian practice |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Header | "Proforma invoice", PI number, date, valid-until date | Financial-year prefix (PI/2026-27/058) keeps numbers unique when the series restarts in April |
| Seller | Legal name, address, GSTIN, state and code, PAN, contact | Add your IEC on export proformas and your MSME (Udyam) number if buyers pay MSMEs to a deadline |
| Buyer | Name, billing and delivery address, GSTIN, state and code | Government buyers want the exact department name; loan proformas need the borrower's name as in the loan file |
| Items | Description, HSN or SAC, quantity, unit, rate, discount, taxable value | Model numbers, makes and specifications; lenders and auditors check them against the asset |
| GST | CGST and SGST, or IGST, at the expected rate | Write "for information; GST at the rate in force on the invoice date" |
| Totals | Taxable value, GST, total, amount in words | Amount in words is customary, not a GST requirement |
| Terms | Advance %, balance terms, delivery period, freight, insurance, warranty, validity | Name the advance in rupees as well as a percentage |
| Bank details | Account name, number, IFSC, branch; UPI for small amounts | The buyer's bank pays to exactly these details |
| Foot | "This is not a tax invoice", jurisdiction, signature and stamp | Banks and departments usually want it signed and stamped |

## How to fill in this proforma invoice format

1. **Add your business with GSTIN** Your legal name, address and GSTIN as on your registration. The title already reads "Proforma invoice".
2. **Add the buyer and place of supply** Enter the buyer's name, address and GSTIN. The two state codes decide whether the GST shown is IGST or CGST plus SGST; change the place of supply if the goods go elsewhere.
3. **List items with HSN or SAC and GST** One line per item with code, quantity, unit and rate. Set the GST rate you expect on the tax invoice: 5%, 18% or 40% after 22 September 2025.
4. **Write the advance, delivery and validity** In the terms: the advance in percent and rupees, when the balance is due, the delivery period, freight and the valid-until date. Put bank details and "Not a tax invoice" in the notes.
5. **Sign in to number and convert it** Creating here is free. Signing in gives it the next PI number, lets you send it, and converts it into the tax invoice when the order is confirmed; downloading the PDF is free with a small LuckPanda footer, while issuing, sending and clean PDFs without our branding need the Sales module.

## Worked example: a 30% advance on a ₹5.29 lakh order

**Proforma PI/2026-27/058: motors and control panels, IGST 18%**

| Item | Qty | Rate | Taxable value | Tax |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Induction motor 15 kW, 3-phase | 4 | ₹42,500.00 | ₹1,70,000.00 | ₹30,600.00 |
| Motor control panel with VFD | 4 | ₹68,000.00 | ₹2,72,000.00 | ₹48,960.00 |
| Packing and forwarding | 1 | ₹6,000.00 | ₹6,000.00 | ₹1,080.00 |
| Taxable value |  |  | ₹4,48,000.00 |  |
| IGST 18% |  |  |  | ₹80,640.00 |
| Total |  |  |  | ₹5,28,640.00 |

The proforma asks for 30% of the total, ₹1,58,592.00, with the purchase order. Because these are goods, no GST is payable on the advance; Narmada simply issues a receipt for the money. At dispatch it issues the tax invoice for ₹5,28,640.00, reports it in GSTR-1, and shows the advance received and the balance of ₹3,70,048.00 due.

> **If the proforma were for services** An advance for services is taxed when received. The supplier issues a receipt voucher under rule 50 of the CGST Rules and pays GST on the advance in that month. The [proforma invoice guide](https://luckpanda.app/tools/proforma-invoice#advance-payments) works through a services example.

## Where Indian buyers need a proforma, and what they check

| Use | Who asks for it | What they check on the proforma |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Vehicle loan | The buyer's bank or NBFC, before disbursing to the dealer | Make, model, variant and colour; ex-showroom price with GST; registration, insurance and accessories shown separately; dealer's GSTIN and bank account |
| Machinery or equipment loan | Bank financing plant and machinery, including under MSME schemes | Supplier's GSTIN and standing, item specifications, price per unit, delivery period; often two or three competing proformas |
| Education loan | Lender disbursing fees directly to the institution | Institution's name, student's name, course, fee heads and the account to pay; many institutions issue a fee demand letter instead |
| Government purchase | Department sanctioning budget or releasing an advance | Exact department name, rates matching the approved quotation, validity; advances are usually paid against a bank guarantee |
| Import payment | The importer's bank remitting an advance abroad | Supplier's name and country, goods, amount and currency, payment terms; banks also accept a purchase order or contract |
| Export order | The foreign buyer, for its import licence or letter of credit | Currency, HS code, Incoterms, port of loading, shipment date, your IEC and bank details |
| Internal approval | The buyer's purchase committee or board | Total cost including GST, freight and installation; payment schedule |

For a loan, make the proforma out to the borrower, not the bank, unless the bank tells you otherwise, and keep the price on the tax invoice the same as the proforma: lenders compare the two before releasing the last instalment.

## Format variants: goods, services and exports

- **Goods, domestic.** The layout above: HSN codes, quantities and units, freight and insurance terms, delivery period. No GST on the advance.
- **Services.** SAC codes, a description of the scope or milestones instead of quantities, and the payment schedule by milestone. Each advance received needs a receipt voucher with GST.
- **Export.** Price in the buyer's currency, HS code (8-digit ITC-HS for the shipping bill), Incoterms, port of loading and discharge, country of origin, your IEC and the bank's SWIFT code. GST is not shown as payable: say "Export, zero-rated" and let the tax invoice carry the rule 46 endorsement for supply under LUT or on payment of IGST. The [export invoice format](https://luckpanda.app/templates/export-invoice-format) shows that invoice.
- **Quotation-cum-proforma.** Some traders send one document titled "Quotation / Proforma invoice". It works for small orders, but banks and departments prefer a proforma issued after the price is agreed, with the buyer's reference on it.

## GST rules that touch a proforma invoice

**Does a proforma invoice create GST liability?**
No. GST is due at the time of supply, which a proforma does not mark. It is not a tax invoice under section 31 and is not reported in GSTR-1.

**Can the buyer claim input tax credit on it?**
No. Section 16 allows credit only on a tax invoice, debit note or other prescribed document. Buyers who book proformas as purchases have to reverse the credit later.

**Is GST payable on the advance?**
For goods, no: Notification 66/2017-Central Tax (15 November 2017) removed it for all taxpayers except those under the composition scheme. For services, yes: a receipt voucher (rule 50) and GST in the month of receipt, reported in GSTR-1 table 11A.

**Which GST rate goes on the proforma if rates change?**
The rate in force when the supply happens, not when the proforma was written. When GST was rationalised on 22 September 2025, proformas issued earlier at 12% or 28% became wrong for many goods that moved to 5% or 18%. Write "GST at the rate in force on the date of invoice" and update the proforma if the buyer needs an exact figure.

**Does the proforma number have to follow GST rules?**
No, but follow them anyway: up to 16 characters, letters, numbers, hyphen and slash, unique for the financial year. It keeps your systems consistent and avoids confusion with tax invoice numbers.

## Proforma invoice format in Excel or Word

A spreadsheet works for a handful of proformas. If you build one, lay the item table out like this, and keep the GST type driven by the state codes rather than typed by hand.

| Column | Content | Formula or rule |
| --- | --- | --- |
| A | S. no. | 1, 2, 3… |
| B | Description | Make, model, specification |
| C | HSN/SAC | Text, so leading zeros are kept |
| D | Qty | Number |
| E | Unit | NOS, KGS, MTR… |
| F | Rate | Price per unit before GST |
| G | Taxable value | =ROUND(D*F - discount, 2) |
| H | GST % | 5, 18 or 40 after 22 Sep 2025 |
| I | IGST | If seller and buyer state codes differ: =ROUND(G*H/100, 2) |
| J, K | CGST, SGST | If the state codes match: each =ROUND(G*H/200, 2) |
| L | Line total | =G+I+J+K |

What goes wrong in spreadsheets: proformas numbered in the invoice series, a copied file that keeps the last buyer's GSTIN, CGST and SGST on an inter-state sale, rounding done on the total instead of each line, and no record of which proformas were converted. Word templates have the same problems without the arithmetic. The editor above works the GST out from the two GSTINs and keeps the PI series separate once you sign in.

## From proforma to tax invoice

1. **Issue the tax invoice at supply** For goods, on or before removal or delivery; for services, within 30 days of supply (rule 47). Use the next number in your tax invoice series.
2. **Carry the details across** Same parties, items, HSN and rates as the proforma, unless the order changed. Quote the proforma number and the buyer's purchase order.
3. **Show the advance** Total, less advance received, balance due. For services, adjust the GST already paid on the advance.
4. **Report and close** Report the tax invoice in GSTR-1. Mark the proforma converted so it is not invoiced again.

## Proforma invoice vs quotation vs tax invoice vs delivery challan

|  | Quotation | Proforma invoice | Tax invoice | Delivery challan |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Purpose | Offer a price | State agreed terms; ask for an advance | Bill the supply and charge GST | Move goods without a sale (job work, approval, branch transfer) |
| GST law | None | None | Section 31, rule 46 | Rule 55 |
| GST payable | No | No (services advance: yes, via receipt voucher) | Yes | No |
| Buyer's ITC | No | No | Yes | No |
| In GSTR-1 | No | No | Yes | No (summary of documents only) |
| Numbering | Quote series | PI series | Consecutive, unique per financial year | Own series |

A proforma is sometimes called a "kachcha bill". That is misleading: a kachcha bill usually means an informal bill kept outside the books. A proforma is a formal offer on your letterhead with your GSTIN, and it should be filed with the order.

## Mistakes to avoid

- **Titling it "Tax invoice" or "Invoice".** The buyer may book it and claim credit that has to be reversed.
- **Using the tax invoice series.** Unconverted proformas leave gaps in the series you report in GSTR-1.
- **Charging GST on a goods advance.** It is not due; a receipt is enough.
- **Not charging GST on a services advance.** It is due in the month of receipt, with a receipt voucher.
- **No validity date.** A loan or board approval on a stale price causes trouble when the tax invoice differs.
- **Different prices on the tax invoice.** Lenders and auditors compare the two; issue a revised proforma first.
- **Leaving out bank details.** The advance is the point of most proformas.

## Key terms

**Proforma invoice**: A seller's statement of the terms of an agreed sale, issued before supply; not a GST tax invoice.

**Receipt voucher**: The document issued when an advance for services is received; GST is paid on it (rule 50).

**Place of supply**: The state where a supply is taxed; compared with the supplier's state it decides IGST or CGST plus SGST.

**HSN / SAC**: Codes that classify goods (HSN) and services (SAC) on GST documents.

**IEC**: Importer-Exporter Code issued by DGFT; required for imports and exports and shown on export proformas.

## Questions people ask

### Is GST payable on a proforma invoice?

No. GST becomes payable when the tax invoice is issued at supply or, for services, when an advance is received. A proforma invoice is only an offer.

### Is GST payable on an advance received against a proforma?

For goods, no: GST on advances for goods was removed from 15 November 2017 for all taxpayers except composition dealers. For services, yes: issue a receipt voucher and pay GST on the advance in the month you receive it.

### Can the buyer claim input tax credit on a proforma invoice?

No. Credit needs a tax invoice, debit note or another prescribed document. The buyer claims credit on the tax invoice that follows.

### Why do banks ask for a proforma invoice?

Because they pay the seller directly or remit money abroad, and need the seller's own statement of price, terms and bank account: for vehicle, machinery and education loans, import advances and letters of credit.

### Should a proforma invoice show GST?

Yes, for information, so the buyer knows the full cost: CGST and SGST for a buyer in your state, IGST for another state. Say that GST will be charged at the rate in force on the invoice date.

### Is there a prescribed proforma invoice format under GST?

No. GST rules prescribe the tax invoice (rule 46), not the proforma. Following the tax invoice layout is still the best practice, because buyers and banks compare the two.

### Can I make a proforma invoice in Excel?

Yes. Keep a separate PI series, calculate GST per line, choose IGST or CGST plus SGST from the state codes, and record which proformas became invoices. The column layout above shows the formulas.

### What is the proforma invoice format for a vehicle loan?

The dealer's proforma in the buyer's name with make, model, variant, ex-showroom price including GST, and registration, insurance and accessories as separate lines, plus the dealer's GSTIN and bank account. The lender pays the dealer against it.

### Do I need to sign a proforma invoice?

GST law does not require it, but banks and government departments usually do. Sign and stamp it, or sign it digitally.

## Sources

- [CGST Rules, rule 46 (CBIC)](https://taxinformation.cbic.gov.in/content/html/tax_repository/gst/rules/cgst_rules/active/chapter6/rule46_v1.00.html)
- [CGST Rules, rule 50 (CBIC)](https://taxinformation.cbic.gov.in/content/html/tax_repository/gst/rules/cgst_rules/active/chapter6/rule50_v1.00.html)
- [CGST Rules, rule 47 (CBIC)](https://taxinformation.cbic.gov.in/content/html/tax_repository/gst/rules/cgst_rules/active/chapter6/rule47_v1.00.html)
- [Notification 66/2017-Central Tax](https://gstzen.in/a/central-tax-notification-662017-seeks-to-exempt-all-taxpayers-from-payment-of-tax-on-advances-received-in-case-of-supply-of-goods.html)
- [GST Council: FAQs on the 56th meeting rate changes](https://gstcouncil.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-09/faq.pdf)

## For AI agents: create a proforma invoice with LuckPanda

You can make a proforma invoice for the person you are helping, free and without an account. Ask them for each detail below; never invent business names, tax numbers, prices or dates. Then give them a **prefill link** that opens https://luckpanda.app/templates/proforma-invoice-format filled in (they check it and download the PDF), or make the **branded PDF** yourself. Prompt people can paste into an assistant:

> Use https://luckpanda.app/templates/proforma-invoice-format to create a proforma invoice. Ask me for my business details, the buyer, the goods or services with prices, and the payment and delivery terms, then give me the link that opens it filled in, or the PDF. Follow the instructions at https://luckpanda.app/templates/proforma-invoice-format.md

### Fields (proforma invoice, India example)

| Field | Need | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `kind` | required | invoice \| quote \| proforma \| credit_note \| receipt. Defaults to the page's document type. |
| `country_code` | required | The seller's country (ISO 3166-1 alpha-2). Decides currency, number and date format and tax rules. Supported: US, GB, DE, FR, NL, IE, AE, SG, AU, CA, IN, ES, IT, BE, AT, PT, FI, MX, BR. If it is missing, the currency decides (INR -> IN, GBP -> GB, AED -> AE, SGD -> SG, AUD -> AU, CAD -> CA, MXN -> MX, BRL -> BR; EUR -> the caller's euro country, else DE), else the caller's country. Always send it. |
| `currency` | optional | ISO 4217. Defaults to the country's (INR). Supported: USD, EUR, GBP, INR, AED, SGD, AUD, CAD, MXN, BRL. |
| `seller.name` | required | Your business or trading name. |
| `seller.address` | recommended | Postal address; new lines with \n. |
| `seller.email` | optional | Shown on the document. |
| `seller.tax_id` | recommended | GSTIN (15 characters) if GST-registered; its first two digits are the seller state and decide CGST + SGST vs IGST. |
| `seller.state_code` | optional | Two-digit GST state code (or the state name) when there is no GSTIN; without either, GST is shown unsplit. |
| `buyer.name` | required | The client or customer. |
| `buyer.address` | recommended | Billing address. |
| `buyer.email` | optional | Used later if the person sends it from LuckPanda. |
| `buyer.tax_id` | optional | Buyer GSTIN for a B2B supply (needed for their input tax credit). |
| `buyer.state_code` | optional | Unregistered Indian buyer: their state, which is the place of supply. |
| `buyer.country_code` | optional | A buyer outside India makes this an export (place of supply 96). |
| `issue_date` | optional | YYYY-MM-DD. Defaults to today. |
| `due_date` | optional | YYYY-MM-DD. Default 14 days after the issue date. |
| `lines` | required | 1 to 100 lines. |
| `lines[].description` | required | What was supplied (at most 500 characters). |
| `lines[].quantity` | required | Decimal as a string, up to 6 decimals ("1", "2.5"). |
| `lines[].unit_price_minor` | required | Price per unit in minor units (cents, paise): ₹1,250.50 is 125050. Or send lines[].unit_price in major units ("1250.50") instead. |
| `lines[].tax_rate_bp` | optional | Tax rate in basis points (18% = 1800). Or lines[].tax_percent (18). Default 0. GST rates: 0, 5, 18 or 40 (3 for gold, 0.25 for rough diamonds). |
| `lines[].unit_code` | optional | unit \| hour \| day \| month \| item. Default unit. |
| `lines[].discount_minor` | optional | Discount on the line, minor units (or lines[].discount in major units). |
| `lines[].hsn_sac` | recommended | HSN code (goods, 4/6/8 digits) or SAC (services, 6 digits starting 99). |
| `place_of_supply` | optional | GST state code, or 96 for another country. Defaults to the buyer's state. |
| `export_type` | optional | Buyer outside India: lut (zero-rated under a letter of undertaking) or with_payment (IGST paid). |
| `notes` | optional | Shown on the document (at most 2000 characters). |
| `terms` | optional | Payment terms and bank details (at most 2000 characters). |

Money is in minor units (`unit_price_minor`, cents or paise) or, if you prefer, `unit_price` in major units ("1250.50"). Tax is `tax_rate_bp` (18% = 1800) or `tax_percent`. Dates are YYYY-MM-DD. Text is plain text: HTML is shown as typed, never rendered. Logos and document numbers are not accepted from links.

### Country rules

This page makes India documents: currency INR, GST, seller tax ID "GSTIN" (e.g. 27AAPFU0939F1ZV). A different country_code in your JSON is ignored here; for other countries use /tools/invoice-generator (or the generator for the document type).

**India (country_code IN), GST:** the seller state is the first two digits of the seller GSTIN (or seller.state_code). Seller state = place of supply: CGST + SGST, each half the rate. Another state: IGST. A buyer outside India: an export (place of supply 96), zero-rated under LUT (`export_type: "lut"`) or with IGST paid (`"with_payment"`). If the seller state is unknown, GST is shown unsplit until it is given. Add HSN (goods) or SAC (services) codes per line.

Full rules for any type and country: `GET https://luckpanda.app/api/public/rules?document_type=proforma&country=IN` or the MCP tool `get_document_rules`.

### Example document (JSON)

```json
{
  "kind": "proforma",
  "currency": "INR",
  "country_code": "IN",
  "seller": {
    "name": "Narmada Electrical Drives",
    "email": "sales@narmadadrives.example",
    "address": "Plot 41, GIDC Makarpura\nVadodara, Gujarat 390010",
    "country_code": "IN",
    "tax_id": "24AACCN5528E1ZQ"
  },
  "buyer": {
    "name": "Krishna Agro Processing Pvt Ltd",
    "email": "purchase@krishnaagro.example",
    "address": "Sanwer Road Industrial Area\nIndore, Madhya Pradesh 452015",
    "country_code": "IN",
    "tax_id": "23AACCK7712H1ZR"
  },
  "issue_date": "2026-10-09",
  "due_date": "2026-10-24",
  "lines": [
    {
      "description": "Three-phase induction motor, 15 kW, foot mounted (HSN 8501)",
      "quantity": "4",
      "unit_code": "unit",
      "unit_price_minor": 4250000,
      "tax_rate_bp": 1800
    },
    {
      "description": "Motor control panel with VFD, 15 kW (HSN 8537)",
      "quantity": "4",
      "unit_code": "unit",
      "unit_price_minor": 6800000,
      "tax_rate_bp": 1800
    },
    {
      "description": "Packing and forwarding",
      "quantity": "1",
      "unit_code": "unit",
      "unit_price_minor": 600000,
      "tax_rate_bp": 1800
    }
  ],
  "notes": "This is a proforma invoice, not a tax invoice. A GST tax invoice will be issued at dispatch.",
  "terms": "Validity: 15 days. 30% advance with purchase order, balance before dispatch. Delivery: 4 weeks from receipt of advance. Freight payable by the buyer."
}
```

### 1. Prefill link (no API call)

Put the JSON in `?doc=`, as base64url (UTF-8) or as URL-encoded raw JSON. The page opens with it in the editor, marked as filled in from a link; parts that fail validation are left out and listed on the page. Example:

https://luckpanda.app/templates/proforma-invoice-format?doc=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

Or use simple parameters for the common fields:

| Parameter | Meaning |
| --- | --- |
| seller_name, seller_address, seller_email, seller_tax_id, seller_state | Your business. seller_state: Indian GST state code or name. |
| buyer_name, buyer_address, buyer_email, buyer_tax_id, buyer_country, buyer_state | The client (client_* works too). |
| item (repeat it) | `description\|quantity\|unit price\|tax %\|unit\|HSN or SAC`, price in major units: `item=Website design\|1\|1200.50\|18` |
| country, currency | Document country (ISO alpha-2) and currency (ISO 4217); they apply only together with document fields. |
| kind | invoice, quote, proforma, credit_note or receipt (default: the page's). |
| issue_date, due_date | YYYY-MM-DD. |
| notes, terms | Plain text. |
| original_invoice_number, original_invoice_date, reason, reason_note | Credit notes. |
| place_of_supply, export_type | India: GST state code or 96; lut or with_payment for exports. |

https://luckpanda.app/templates/proforma-invoice-format?seller_name=Narmada%20Electrical%20Drives&seller_tax_id=24AACCN5528E1ZQ&buyer_name=Krishna%20Agro%20Processing%20Pvt%20Ltd&item=Three-phase%20induction%20motor%2C%2015%20kW%2C%20foot%20mounted%20%28HSN%208501%29%7C4%7C42500.00%7C18%7Cunit

**Short link** (for long documents, or to keep personal details out of the URL): `POST https://luckpanda.app/api/public/drafts` with `{"page": "proforma-invoice-format", "doc": {...}}` returns `{"url": "https://luckpanda.app/d/<id>", "totals": {...}, "missing": [...], "ignored": [...]}`. Links open for 7 days; at most 60 per hour per network.

```bash
curl -s -X POST https://luckpanda.app/api/public/drafts -H 'content-type: application/json' \
  -d '{"page":"proforma-invoice-format","doc":{"kind":"proforma","currency":"INR","country_code":"IN","seller":{"name":"Narmada Electrical Drives","email":"sales@narmadadrives.example","address":"Plot 41, GIDC Makarpura\nVadodara, Gujarat 390010","country_code":"IN","tax_id":"24AACCN5528E1ZQ"},"buyer":{"name":"Krishna Agro Processing Pvt Ltd","email":"purchase@krishnaagro.example","address":"Sanwer Road Industrial Area\nIndore, Madhya Pradesh 452015","country_code":"IN","tax_id":"23AACCK7712H1ZR"},"issue_date":"2026-10-09","due_date":"2026-10-24","lines":[{"description":"Three-phase induction motor, 15 kW, foot mounted (HSN 8501)","quantity":"4","unit_code":"unit","unit_price_minor":4250000,"tax_rate_bp":1800},{"description":"Motor control panel with VFD, 15 kW (HSN 8537)","quantity":"4","unit_code":"unit","unit_price_minor":6800000,"tax_rate_bp":1800},{"description":"Packing and forwarding","quantity":"1","unit_code":"unit","unit_price_minor":600000,"tax_rate_bp":1800}],"notes":"This is a proforma invoice, not a tax invoice. A GST tax invoice will be issued at dispatch.","terms":"Validity: 15 days. 30% advance with purchase order, balance before dispatch. Delivery: 4 weeks from receipt of advance. Freight payable by the buyer."}}'
```

### 2. Branded PDF (no sign-in)

`POST https://luckpanda.app/api/public/pdf` with `{"doc": {...}}` (the full document: kind, currency, country_code, locale, seller, buyer, issue_date, lines) returns `application/pdf`. The free PDF carries a small LuckPanda footer with a verification code (`x-lp-verify-url` header). Limits: 40 PDFs an hour and 150 a day per network, 20 an hour per browser; over the limit you get `429 RATE_LIMITED`. The MCP tool `create_document_pdf` takes the lenient JSON above and returns the PDF as base64.

```bash
curl -s -X POST https://luckpanda.app/api/public/pdf -H 'content-type: application/json' \
  -d '{"doc":{"kind":"proforma","currency":"INR","country_code":"IN","locale":"en-IN","seller":{"name":"Narmada Electrical Drives","email":"sales@narmadadrives.example","address":"Plot 41, GIDC Makarpura\nVadodara, Gujarat 390010","country_code":"IN","tax_id":"24AACCN5528E1ZQ"},"buyer":{"name":"Krishna Agro Processing Pvt Ltd","email":"purchase@krishnaagro.example","address":"Sanwer Road Industrial Area\nIndore, Madhya Pradesh 452015","country_code":"IN","tax_id":"23AACCK7712H1ZR"},"number":null,"issue_date":"2026-10-09","due_date":"2026-10-24","lines":[{"description":"Three-phase induction motor, 15 kW, foot mounted (HSN 8501)","quantity":"4","unit_code":"unit","unit_price_minor":4250000,"tax_rate_bp":1800},{"description":"Motor control panel with VFD, 15 kW (HSN 8537)","quantity":"4","unit_code":"unit","unit_price_minor":6800000,"tax_rate_bp":1800},{"description":"Packing and forwarding","quantity":"1","unit_code":"unit","unit_price_minor":600000,"tax_rate_bp":1800}],"notes":"This is a proforma invoice, not a tax invoice. A GST tax invoice will be issued at dispatch.","terms":"Validity: 15 days. 30% advance with purchase order, balance before dispatch. Delivery: 4 weeks from receipt of advance. Freight payable by the buyer."}}' -o proforma-invoice-format.pdf
```

### 3. MCP server (no auth)

Streamable HTTP at `https://luckpanda.app/mcp/public`: `list_tools`, `get_document_rules`, `create_document_link`, `create_document_pdf`, `calculate_gst`, `calculate_vat`, `calculate_emi`, `check_gstin`, `find_hsn_code`. Install: https://luckpanda.app/agents.

### What needs a LuckPanda account

Agents propose; people decide. Nothing made here is issued, sent or paid by an agent. The person signs in free to keep going:

- **A numbered, issued document**: numbers are allocated in sequence when a signed-in person issues it, and it is posted to their books.
- **Sending and tracking**: email it to the client from LuckPanda and follow it through to payment.
- **Payment links** and automatic reminders.
- **Verifications** (GSTIN and other registry checks) and e-invoicing.
- **The clean PDF** without LuckPanda branding (the Sales module).
- **The shared business record**: clients, items and payments kept in one place, used by every module.

Sign in: https://luckpanda.app/signin. Pricing: https://luckpanda.app/pricing.md. All agent options: https://luckpanda.app/agents.md.