Boat Transport Invoice Template (Free)
A boat transport invoice shows loaded miles at your rate, oversize permits, escorts, fuel surcharge, and any wait time — with the deposit already paid credited and the balance due on delivery. Copy the template below, or use invoicing software that takes the deposit at booking and the balance at the drop.
What belongs on the invoice
- Business name, contact info, DOT/MC number if applicable
- Customer name and both addresses
- Vessel description, LOA, beam, and weight
- Pickup and delivery dates
- Line items — loaded miles, permits, escorts, fuel, wait time, dead-head
- Deposit paid, shown as a credit
- Balance due and terms
The template
[Your Business Name]
[Address] · [Phone] · [Email] DOT/MC #______
Invoice #____ Date: __________
Bill To: [Customer Name]
Vessel: [make / model] LOA ___ ft Beam ___ ft Wt ______ lbs
From: [origin] To: [destination]
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Description Amount
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Transport — ___ loaded miles @ $___/mi $______
Oversize permits — [states] $______
Escort vehicle(s) — ___ @ $___ $______
Fuel surcharge $______
Wait time — ___ hrs @ $___ (after ___) $______
Dead-head / return leg $______
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Subtotal $______
Less deposit paid -$______
TOTAL DUE ON DELIVERY $______
Balance due before unstrapping. Accepted: [card / link]Weight and beam belong on the paperwork
They’re what determines whether the load was legal and what it cost you. Recording them on the invoice protects you if a route dispute or a claim comes up down the road.
Skipping the copy-paste
Software that collects the deposit when the haul’s booked and the balance at the drop covers the only two moments in this job where money tends to go missing.
Frequently asked questions
Should permits and escorts be itemized?
Yes. They vary by route and state, and rolling them into a per-mile rate makes your base rate look uncompetitive on the quotes that don't need them.
When is the balance due?
On delivery, before unstrapping. It's the last point where you hold anything of the customer's, and a payment link or card at the drop is far easier than an invoice chased across state lines.
How do I bill wait time at pickup or delivery?
A stated free window, then an hourly rate. Yard delays are common and unbilled wait time is the quietest loss in hauling.