What is the difference between delivery note and invoice?
A delivery note is a list of all the goods provided in a sale transaction between two parties. It includes all formal details. They are used instead of an invoice when a client doesn't want to show how much they paid for a product or wants to keep the supplier anonymous.
Delivery Note: when goods that are being transported on one Bill of Lading are sold on during transport by sea, the recipient who sold the goods will issue a delivery order or delivery note to the different buyers, each for their share in the load they purchased.
A delivery note is a document that lists all the goods included in a delivery, and is often referred to as a dispatch note, or goods receipt. The note is included in the shipment and lists the quantity of products included in the delivery, it doesn't list any values like price of goods.
The purpose of a delivery note
Delivery notes help to remind a customer of their order and/or inform them of what is included in the current shipment (for example, if certain products are shipped separately).
In many companies, a signed proof of delivery note is critical to payment processes. It goes by various names - a delivery ticket, a manifest or an acceptance form - but irrespective of what it is called, it must contain the signature of the customer acknowledging and accepting the delivery of the goods.
The delivery note is a document that certifies the delivery of goods to the buyer, who must sign it to make it clear that the goods have been delivered in accordance with the conditions established.
A delivery note is an essential commercial document to prove the delivery of goods. If a customer signs the delivery note presented by the supplier or by the carrier, this signature has many consequences: The ownership and responsibility for the goods are transferred to the buyer.
Purchase Order vs Delivery Order
The Purchase Order is your first contact with the supplier and the Delivery Order is proof that there is a contract between the buyer and the warehouse where the goods are kept/stored. A Purchase Order is a binding legal contract and a Delivery Order is not.
Delivery documents generally provide the delivery instructions for an order or trip and specify the products and quantities to deliver. They serve to transfer ownership of the products to the customer. Some types might also specify the product price and additional charges.
A delivery note is a document that accompanies a shipment of goods and provides a list of the products and quality of the goods included in the delivery. A delivery note can also be known as a 'dispatch note' or a 'goods received note'. Although they are normally printed, delivery notes are commonly sent by email.
How does delivery payment work?
When their order arrives, the customer will pay the amount owed, usually to a shipping or logistics partner working with the supplier. After deducting any handling charges, the partner will then direct the funds to the supplier.
Proof of delivery comes in two forms: paper and electronic. A paper POD is a physical document a customer signs once a product or service is delivered. But customers these days are probably more familiar with electronic proof of delivery, which is used by postal services and couriers like DHL and FedEx.

If the shipment requires a direct or adult signature, then someone must be available to sign in person. If someone is not home to sign for a direct or adult signature, the courier will leave a door tag or reattempt delivery.
Look for a notice of attempted delivery. Look around the delivery location for your package. See if someone else accepted the delivery, unless you have health or safety concerns about doing so. Check your mailbox or wherever else you receive mail.
Invoice is normally sent after the despatch of goods or along with the goods. Delivery note is sent along with the despatch of parcel.
Invoice is the legal proof of the ownership of goods/service with all the risks, liabilities it carries along with it; it shows the actual value of the goods. Delivery challan shows that the customer has acknowledged the receipt of goods, but does not show their legal responsibilities or ownership.
A purchase order is sent out before the delivery of products and is one of the first documents of the purchase process. While an invoice is issued after the good or service has been completed, and is usually one of the last documents filed.
An invoice should be issued when the vendor (or supplier) has completed a customer's order. The order could be for products, services, or both. For a business that's providing a product, usually an invoice will be generated shortly after delivery.
A bill of lading serves as a receipt for freight services. The carrier usually provides one upon pick up. In contrast, proof of delivery is proof that a shipment has arrived and is signed by the final recipient or consignee upon delivery receipt.
- Pro forma invoice. A pro forma invoice is like a “pre” invoice. ...
- Interim invoice. An interim invoice is designed to break down the cost of a big project into smaller payments. ...
- Final invoice. ...
- Simplify the invoicing process.
What are the two types of invoicing?
- Proforma invoice. Sent before any work is carried out, these documents list out the goods and services being provided along with the price. ...
- Interim invoice. ...
- Recurring invoice. ...
- Final invoice. ...
- Collective invoice. ...
- Credit invoice. ...
- Debit invoice. ...
- Account statement.
Purchase Order vs Delivery Order
The Purchase Order is your first contact with the supplier and the Delivery Order is proof that there is a contract between the buyer and the warehouse where the goods are kept/stored. A Purchase Order is a binding legal contract and a Delivery Order is not.
Thus, it can be seen that in case of goods, an invoice has to be issued before or at the time of supply. In case of services, however, an invoice has to be issued before or after the provision of services.
An invoice is a bill sent to a customer after they receive a product or service. If a customer purchases something without paying immediately, you will send an invoice to collect payment.
A delivery order (abbreviated D/O) is a document from a consignee, or an owner or his agent of freight carrier which orders the release of the transportation of cargo to another party.
The process generally consists of accepting the order; picking, packing, and shipping the items mentioned in the order; and finally tracking them until they get delivered.
A Delivery Order is a shipping document issued by the carrier's destination agent or office in exchange for the original bill of lading and related charges that must be paid to them. A copy of the surrender bill of lading (or a sea waybill) will do if the bill of lading has been surrendered at the origin.