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Home » Contracts, Orders & International Payments » Countersigning Proforma Invoices, Purchase Orders and Sales Contracts used in Global Trade
Last updated on February 5, 2024 by Ben Thompson

Countersigning Proforma Invoices, Purchase Orders and Sales Contracts used in Global Trade

Trade documents with digital signatures

How shippers are digitally countersigning global trade documentation.

If you’re an importer, exporter or trading company then you would understand the process of countersigning and adding countersignatures to important sales contracts and documents.  Countersigning proforma invoices, purchase orders and sales contracts requires both buyer and seller to add their company stamp or company seal, and their signature onto both documents.

Countersigned Proforma Invoices, Sales Contracts and Purchase Orders represent a legally binding agreement between the buyer and seller.  If there are any problems or disputes relating to the order or shipments, these documents will be referred to in a court of law.

In the past, both buyers and sellers (importers or exporters) have had to manually print, sign, scan, upload then mail documents between each other.  Throughout the history of trade, this has been the adopted process to get contracts signed.

In today’s world, buyers and sellers can now countersign each document to eliminate the manual print, sign, scan and email process.  Importers and exporters are countersigning trade documentation in a format to transition to paperless operations.  This allows companies to close deals faster, sign contracts from anywhere, increase administration efficiency and reduce paper & operational costs.

Here’s an overview of how companies are countersigning proforma invoices, purchase orders and sales contracts online with electronic signatures and company stamps and seals.

How buyers and sellers add a countersignature to a Purchase Order document Step-by-step guide

  1. The buyer creates a Purchase Order in IncoDocs, adds their company stamp or seal, insert their electronic signature, then requests the document to be countersigned by the seller.
  2. At the click of a button, the seller uploads their digital company stamp or seal and inserts their electronic signature.
  3. After clicking submit both signers will receive the document in form of a PDF in the email

How buyers and sellers add a countersignature to a Proforma Invoice or Sales Contract

  1. The seller creates a Proforma Invoice in IncoDocs, adds their digital company stamp or seal, inserts their electronic signature, then requests the document to be countersigned by the buyer.
  2. At the click of a button, the buyer uploads their digital company stamp or seal and inserts their electronic signature.
  3. After clicking submit both signers will receive the document in form of a PDF in the email

Watch this example how to add countersignatures to global trade documents

The video shows an example how the countersign is done.

Get started with IncoDocs

Use IncoDocs to digital sign and stamp your trade documentation and go paperless.

Examples of digital company stamps

What is the significance of countersigning proforma invoices, purchase orders, and sales contracts in global trade?

Countersigning these documents in global trade is crucial as it signifies mutual agreement and acceptance of specific terms and conditions by both parties involved. It also adds a layer of authenticity and legality to the transactions and will help to solve disputes.

How can I create a legally-binding signature on proforma invoices and other trade documents?

You can use IncoDocs to digital sign and stamp your trade documentation and go paperless. With IncoDocs you will have simple steps in your signature workflow for global trade. This makes the process error-free and faster.

Are there templates available for proforma invoices and sales contracts that support countersigning?

Yes, you can find templates with fillable forms for proforma invoices and sales contracts on IncoDocs, which allow for the inclusion of countersignatures.

How can using IncoDocs improve the way I conduct business in global trade?

Utilizing IncoDocs for countersigning proforma invoices and other trade documents with fillable fields provides a greater way of doing business, streamlining workflow processes, ensuring legal validity, and enhancing security in transactions. Go paperless, eliminate errors, and save hours of tedious work per shipment with your sales, shipments, and export documentation

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