An e-invoice, short for 'electronic invoice' is a structured document that is digitally generated and transmitted. It serves the same purpose as a traditional paper or PDF invoice: to provide a detailed record of a transaction between a seller and a buyer for goods or services. Unlike a paper invoice or a PDF sent via email, an e-invoice is created, sent, and received entirely in a structured digital format.
E-invoices are typically generated and exchanged through electronic means, such as email, electronic data interchange (EDI), or specialized invoicing platforms. They can include all the relevant information found on a paper invoice, such as:
Invoice number and date: Unique identifier for the invoice and the date it was issued.
Seller and buyer information: Contact details of the seller and the buyer.
Itemized description: Detailed list of the goods or services provided, including quantities, unit prices, and total amounts.
Payment terms: Details about payment due date, payment methods, and any applicable discounts or late fees.
Tax information: Information about applicable taxes, such as sales tax or value-added tax (VAT).
Total amount: The overall amount due for the goods or services provided.
In Europe, the EU standard EN 16931 establishes the semantic model of an e-invoice. In other words, it determines the required information and relationships. It does not specify the structure (schema and format) or how it should be transmitted.
Hence, several e-invoice formats have arisen that are commonly used or supported for electronic invoicing. For example, ZUGFeRD, XRechnung, and Factur-X. These formats are often adopted to ensure standardized and efficient exchange of invoice data between businesses and government entities.
For some countries, e-invoicing has become the standard method of B2B invoicing. For example, in Germany companies must be able to receive e-invoices from January 1, 2025.
Yokoy supports e-invoices in several ways:
| Web upload | Invoice inbox | API |
ZUGFeRD (hybrid PDF) | Supported | Supported |
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XRechnung (XML) | Supported | Supported |
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Peppol BIS 3.0 e-invoice | Supported | Supported | |
Other formats that use UBL 2.1 schema | Supported | Supported | |
Other formats that use the CII D22B schema | Supported | Supported |
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Alternatively, you can send e-invoices to Yokoy via an integration with e-invoicing platform Pagero.