EXPORT DOCUMENT GUIDE · PUBLIC TRIAL

Purchase order
template & guide.

Give your supplier one clear order reference, a specific goods list and a delivery request. Use the worked example and downloadable PDF to see what belongs on an international purchase order.

Create purchase order free ↗

What this document is for

A purchase order communicates what the buyer is ordering from a supplier. It connects the proposed goods, quantities, prices and delivery requirements to a buyer order number. A supplier acknowledgement or sales confirmation is a separate step; creating a PDF does not obtain the supplier’s agreement or arrange payment.

Fields to review

Buyer, supplier and delivery party: Identify the buyer issuing the order, the supplier receiving it and the delivery address. Do not assume the invoice buyer and consignee are always the same.
PO number, order date and references: Use one order number consistently on correspondence, the supplier confirmation, invoice and packing list. Keep a separate buyer reference where required.
Product code, description and unit: Specify the SKU or model, the actual goods and the unit being ordered. A carton count is not a substitute for a product quantity.
Quantity, unit price and currency: Review every quantity and unit price in the same stated currency. List separately agreed charges so that the supplier can reconcile the order total.
Requested delivery and trade term: State the requested delivery date and agreed Incoterm with its named place. Confirm whether the date refers to readiness, shipment or arrival.
Payment terms and acknowledgement: Record agreed payment timing, inspection requirements and important notes. Ask the supplier to confirm the order and any exceptions before relying on it.

A worked example

Illustrative buyer order — USD; not a real transaction
Product	Quantity	Unit price	Amount
HB-500 — stainless steel bottle, 500 ml	500 pieces	$12.50	$6,250.00
HB-TOTE — cotton canvas tote	300 pieces	$4.50	$1,350.00
Goods subtotal			$7,600.00

PO-2026-087 could request delivery on November 15, 2026, with FCA Portland, OR and separately agreed charges. The downloadable sample includes $85 documentation and $240 inland freight: total $7,925. These are fictional figures, not suggested trade terms or tax treatment.

Download a worked PDF example

Download sample PDF

Free download; no signup or payment. All parties and figures are illustrative. This is a static layout example, not an editable form, official certificate or proof of origin. The PDF uses a separate illustrative shipment from any small calculation above.

About the sample

The downloadable PDF is an illustrative layout for review. Figures and party names are fictional. It is not an editable form, proof of payment, or official certification.

How to prepare it in Tradocket

Open the document workspace and select Purchase Order. Enter the order number and date; you can prepare it directly without creating a quotation first.
Enter the buyer, supplier and goods. Review the quantities, currency, charges, payment terms and requested delivery date.
Preview the purchase order and use Print / Save PDF. Send it through your usual business channel and obtain the supplier’s acknowledgement separately.

The free trial works in your browser. You can edit shared shipment data, review the live preview and use your browser’s print dialog to save a PDF. Save a JSON backup before changing computers or clearing browser data.

Before you send it

Reconcile the confirmed order with the supplier’s commercial invoice before payment and shipment. Investigate changed bank instructions independently. Tradocket does not transmit the order, verify bank details, guarantee contract enforceability or submit customs paperwork.

Check destination and transaction requirements with your buyer or freight forwarder. For an official overview of document purposes, see Common Export Documents from the U.S. International Trade Administration.

Common purchase order checks

Swapping buyer and supplier fields: On a purchase order the buyer places the order. Confirm which party is the buyer before sharing the PDF.
Quantity units that do not match the price unit: If the price is per piece, keep the quantity in pieces. Mixing cartons and pieces breaks the order total.
Sending the order without an acknowledgement path: Ask the supplier to confirm the order separately. Generating a PDF does not transmit or accept the order.

Purchase order questions

Is this a buyer purchase order or a seller form?

Tradocket’s purchase order view is prepared as a buyer order. Review buyer and supplier fields carefully before you send it.

Can I save a purchase order PDF without an account?

Yes. Online access is currently free for a limited time. Drafts stay in this browser; export a JSON backup if you change devices.

Does creating the PDF place the order with the supplier?

No. Share the PDF through your usual business channel and obtain the supplier’s acknowledgement separately.

Prepare your purchase order

Online access is currently free for a limited time, with unlimited shipment sets. Drafts stay in this browser; export JSON backups regularly. The Windows offline edition is sold separately.