Global payments
Posted on Jul 5, 2025
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Freelance invoicing can be tricky—what to add, how to structure it, and how to get payments timely. And when your clients are based overseas, there’s even more to think about, such as choosing the right currency, ensuring GST and tax compliance, and finding the right method to send the invoice.
In this guide, we’ll discuss how to invoice international clients from India. We'll also share the invoice format, compliance details, and helpful tools.
Details Required to Invoice International Clients
Let’s see the essential information you must add to an international invoice:
1. Business & client contact information
Business details:
Name (and brand name, if any)
Your Business address or personal address
Phone number and email
Client’s information:
Client’s legal name or company name
Client’s official address
Phone number and email
Client’s tax identification number, if applicable
2. Unique invoice number and date
Follow a sequence number for all your invoices, such as #1001, #1002, and so on. This helps you track payments easily.
You should also mention the invoice date and payment due date (e.g., Net 15 days or Net 30 days). Most invoicing tools will auto-generate invoice numbers, but if you’re doing this manually, start with a logical sequence and make sure to add the correct number for each invoice.
3. Service or product description with quantity and rate
Itemise your services/products. Include detailed descriptions, quantities, unit rates, and total for each line item. Additionally, add project codes or reference numbers if relevant.
Be precise. For example, instead of a vague “web design”, detail: “20 hours UX design @ USD 30/hour for Company X website enhancements”
4. Total amount due and invoiced currency
Clearly state the total amount and specify invoice currency (USD, EUR, GBP). If you are billing in a foreign currency, include the approximate INR equivalent for your own records or for easier reference.
You can use tools like Infinity’s Currency Converter for this. Check the latest FX rates and see how much your invoice amount will be in INR.
Write both numeric and words for clarity: e.g., “Total: USD 1,200 (One Thousand Two Hundred US Dollars)”.
5. Compliance details (e.g., GST zero-rated for export)
Exporting services is considered a zero-rated supply as per GST compliance. This basically means you don’t have to charge or pay any GST on international payments. It’s a great way to stay tax-free and competitive when working with international clients, helping you keep more of what you earn while staying compliant.
Clearly state: “GST @0% – Export of services under LUT/Bond” and include your HSN or SAC code for services. This builds credibility with both clients and tax officers.
This is crucial for compliance and audits, especially if your turnover exceeds ₹75 lakh.
Here are a few extra things your invoice should include to ensure GST and tax compliance.
Place of Supply: Always mention that the place of supply is outside India. This is key to classifying the transaction as an export of services under GST.
Example: “Place of Supply: [Client’s Country, e.g., United States]”IEC Code: While not mandatory for service exports in all cases, having an Import Export Code (IEC) is helpful when receiving international payments. You can get it from DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade) and include it on your invoice, especially if you’re using a bank transfer or going through customs scrutiny.
Example: “IEC: [Your IEC Number]”HSN/SAC Code: Use the correct SAC (Services Accounting Code) relevant to the service you’re providing. For example, 998313 for content creation, 998314 for graphic design, etc.
6. Banking and payment details
Ensure you provide everything the client needs, including:
Bank name, branch, IFSC, and account number for bank transfer.
SWIFT/BIC code, IBAN (if EU/EU banks), and account holder name for international wire transfers.
Multi-currency account details if you are using an international payment platform like Infinity or Skydo.
Payment link (PayPal India, Razorpay, etc.), alongside any applicable QR codes.
7. Due date and payment terms
Your payment terms should be very clear. For e.g., “Net 15 days” or “Due upon receipt”.
Here’s a sample invoice format for foreign clients
Source: Sleekbill
What currency should you use to invoice international clients from India?
Most Indian freelancers and businesses invoice in USD, EUR, or GBP for overseas clients. Thus, choosing the right billing currency can affect your bottom line, FX exposure, and client satisfaction.
Invoicing in Foreign Currency vs. INR
Pros | Cons | |
Invoicing in foreign currency (USD/EUR/GBP) |
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Invoicing in INR |
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How to decide the billing currency?
Ask your client what they prefer. Align with your cost structure, for example, If your costs (software, hosting) are in USD, invoice in USD. And then consider your own bank’s ability to receive and convert foreign currency.
Here’s what a reddit user says:
Hence, if you're invoicing monthly, FX swings average out. This is why many Indian freelancers invoice in foreign currency.
Mitigating FX rate fluctuations
To limit losses from INR swings:
Monitor live FX rates
Platforms like Infinity offer real-time FX rates. You can see exactly what you’ll receive before you send an invoice to international clients. That beats bank conversions, where you sometimes don't know until much later
Batch invoices & forward contracts
Instead of sending invoices multiple times for small services, create a monthly invoice for easy tracking and management. For larger amounts, banks or platforms like Infinity let you lock in an exchange rate to avoid surprises.
Use virtual accounts
Use platforms like Infinity that offer virtual accounts (USD, EUR, GBP) with zero FX markups and 1-day INR settlements.
How to Create and Send an Invoice for an International Client?
Here are some different ways to create and send an international invoice.
Manual options: Word, Excel, Google Docs
If you are working on one-off international projects, create a manual invoice on Word, Excel, or Google Docs to build your own invoice template.
Since manual entry is prone to typos and missing fields, double-check your international invoices before sending them to the client. You should also use clear fonts, add your logo, and structure it neatly.
Download your invoice as a PDF to ensure formatting stays intact. Once the invoice is ready, email it to the client and request confirmation.
Online invoicing software: Wise, Zoho, Winvesta
Online invoice generators, such as Zoho and Winvesta, let you create professional invoices in minutes. These platforms offer ready-to-use international invoicing templates, multi-currency support, and built-in compliance features.
You can send the invoices directly through such platforms. However, they charge a subscription fee to avoid watermarks on invoices.
Invoicing through accounting tools: QuickBooks, FreshBooks
You can automate invoicing using tools like QuickBooks or FreshBooks to create recurring invoices, track expenses, view unpaid invoices, and sync payments with your accounts. They’re ideal for businesses with multiple clients or those scaling up their operations.
Must-have fields to include regardless of format
Every invoice should clearly show:
Header: “Invoice”
Your info: Name/business, GSTIN, IEC, address
Client info: Name, address, client’s tax/VAT ID (if they have one)
Unique invoice number: e.g., INV-2025-07-001
Invoice date & due date
Detailed services: Description, hours/quantity, rate, currency
Subtotal, GST line: e.g., “GST @ 0% – Export of services”
Total amount
Payment details:
Bank name, account number, SWIFT/IBAN, IFSC
Or virtual account (USD/EUR/GBP via Infinity)
Currency indicators: e.g., “Total: USD 1,200 (One Thousand Two Hundred US Dollars)”
Terms: Net 7/15/30, late fee clauses, FX responsibilities
Notes section: Payment links or e-FIRC info
Do Indian Businesses Need to Charge GST on Invoices to Foreign Clients?
“Do I need to charge GST?” is a very common question while invoicing international clients from India.
Here’s how it works:
Since export services are classified as zero-rated under GST rules, you don’t need to charge GST on invoices for foreign clients.
But, you can still claim input tax credit (ITC) for GST paid on business expenses. This helps reduce the overall tax burden.
LUT or Bond for exemption
To avoid charging IGST on export invoices, you need to file a Letter of Undertaking (LUT) through the GST portal. It’s quick and free, and it lets you export services without paying tax upfront.
If you haven’t filed a LUT, you’ll need to pay IGST and claim a refund later, which can slow things down.
Tip: Most freelancers and small businesses prefer filing a LUT once a year to keep things simple.
E-invoicing
As of now, GST e-invoicing is mandatory only for businesses with a turnover above a certain threshold (₹5 crore as per the latest updates). If your turnover is below the threshold, you don’t need to send e-invoices.
Tip to Avoid Errors in International Invoicing
Follow these tips to ensure you get international payments timely:
1. Clarify payment terms
Write all payment terms, such as the amount, currency, due date, and payment method and get approval from the client before starting the project. This avoids any confusion after you send the invoice.
2. Confirm all banking details
For wire transfer, double-check your bank account number, name, SWIFT/BIC code, and branch details. If you are receiving payments through PayPal or Wise, confirm the correct email or account link.
3. Use standardized templates for clients
You can create a sample invoice template and just change the essential fields, such as invoice number and date, due date, and services. A consistent invoice format makes you look professional and helps get client approval easily.
4. Automate recurring invoices and follow-ups
If you work on retainer or monthly billing, use tools like Zoho Invoice, Refrens, or QuickBooks to automate invoice creation and follow-up reminders.
5. Track and record invoices for compliance
Record every invoice and payment in an Excel or Google Sheet. This helps you reconcile bank statements for GST and tax compliance.
Infinity offers a real-time dashboard where you can record all your invoices, view your earnings, and track international payments in real-time.
Conclusion
International invoicing is more complicated than sending invoices to Indian clients. Make sure to have all the relevant business information, bank details, payment terms, and compliance details in the invoice.
Infinity can help you receive international payments at a low cost. It charges a 0.5% flat transaction fee and has no hidden charges.
FAQs on Invoicing International Clients from India
1. Is GST mandatory for foreign clients?
No, GST is not mandatory if your service is qualified under export of service and you’ve filed an LUT. But you still need to mention GST details and classification on the invoice.
2. Do I need a current account to receive international payments?
You don’t need a current account to receive international payments. You can simply use your savings account. However, it is recommended to use a current account for business transactions, especially if you're scaling or applying for an IEC code.
3. Can freelancers invoice international clients without a company?
Yes. You don’t need to register a private limited company. You can invoice as an individual or sole proprietor.
