Quick answer
To invoice an international client, agree the currency up front (often USD, EUR or GBP), show it clearly on the invoice, include both businesses’ full details and any tax IDs, describe the service, and give payment options that work across borders. Exported services are often taxed differently, so check your local rules before adding tax.
Choose the currency
Invoice in the currency you agreed with the client. Billing in the client’s currency is easier for them to pay; billing in yours protects you from exchange-rate swings. Whichever you choose, show the currency code (USD, EUR, GBP) so there is no confusion between, say, US and Canadian dollars. In our editor, pick any currency from the currency list.
Need one now? Open the freelance invoice. It’s free and makes a PDF in a minute.
Tax on exported services
Many countries treat services sold to foreign businesses as exports, which are often zero-rated or outside the scope of VAT or GST. The rules depend on your country, the client’s country, and whether the client is a business or a consumer. Check with your tax authority before deciding whether to add tax. If no tax applies, many businesses add a note such as “Export of services — zero-rated”.
What to include, and how to get paid
- Your full name or business name, address and tax ID if you have one.
- The client’s legal company name, address and their tax or VAT number if they give you one.
- A clear description of the service, the period it covers, and the agreed rate.
- Payment options that work internationally, such as a bank transfer (with SWIFT or IBAN details), Wise, Payoneer or PayPal.
- Who pays transfer fees, for example “Bank charges are payable by the sender”.
Create your invoice in under a minute, free. Fill in the form, watch the preview and download a PDF. No sign-up, and your data stays on your device.
Freelance invoiceFrequently asked questions
Should I invoice in my currency or the client’s?
Either is fine if agreed in advance. Billing in USD, EUR or GBP is common for international freelance work.
Do I charge VAT to a foreign client?
Often not, because exported services are frequently zero-rated or outside the scope of VAT, but it depends on your country’s rules. Check with your tax authority.
How do I avoid losing money on fees?
Compare transfer services, state who pays bank charges on the invoice, and consider a multi-currency account to receive payments.
Related tools & articles
More from the blog
- Can I send an invoice without a registered business?Yes, freelancers can send invoices without registering a company. What to put instead of a business name, and when tax registration matters.
- Invoice template for Word or Excel: is there a better way?Making invoices in Word or Excel works, but it is slow and error-prone. How to do it, the common mistakes, and a free online alternative that makes a PDF.
- What is a credit note?A credit note cancels or reduces an invoice you have already sent. Learn when to use one, what it includes, and how it differs from a refund.
- What is a tax invoice?A tax invoice meets VAT or GST rules so your customer can claim the tax back. What it must show, plus the rules in the UK, Australia and Canada.