How to invoice international clients
A cross-border invoice needs the same commercial clarity as a local one, plus an explicit currency, workable payment route and checked tax treatment.
Agree the invoice currency
Use an unambiguous currency code such as USD, CAD, AUD, NZD, GBP or EUR. Decide before work begins whether the price is fixed in your currency or the customer’s and who carries exchange-rate movement.
Give usable payment instructions
Provide the bank and routing details needed for that transfer route, the payment reference and who bears intermediary or recipient fees. Never change bank details silently in an invoice email; confirm changes through a trusted channel.
Check tax treatment rather than guessing
VAT, GST, sales tax, withholding and place-of-supply treatment depend on the countries, customer status and service or goods supplied. Check the relevant authority guidance or an adviser; do not copy a tax line from a domestic invoice by habit.
Keep the conversion record
If your accounts use another currency, keep the invoice, amount received, fees and exchange rate used for recording it. Differences between invoice and settlement values should remain explainable.