Term
What is UBL invoice? Meaning and explanation
A UBL invoice is an electronic invoice in the standardised XML format Universal Business Language, which software can read in directly without having to recognise the invoice first.
Definition
A UBL invoice is an electronic invoice in the standardised XML format Universal Business Language, which software can read in directly without having to recognise the invoice first.
Also known as: UBL-factuur, UBL, Universal Business Language, E-factuur, XML-factuur
UBL stands for Universal Business Language, an open XML standard for business documents such as invoices and credit notes. In a UBL invoice, all data, such as supplier, invoice number, lines, VAT and total, sit in fixed fields. UBL is widely used in the Netherlands, including under the NLCIUS specification, and it is the common format for invoices sent via PEPPOL. A PDF is often embedded as well.
For a firm, the advantage of a UBL invoice is that the basic data does not need to be read from a PDF or photo. That reduces reading errors. Coding is still needed: even with a UBL invoice, someone has to decide which GL account, VAT code and possibly cost centre the invoice is booked to in the recipient's administration.
Autoboeker focuses on coding and checking invoices: it processes invoices and receipts without templates, whether they arrive via upload, email, the client app or Connect, and proposes GL account, VAT code and cost centre based on the administration's history. For sending e-invoices, a PEPPOL integration for the invoicing module is coming soon; it is not live yet.
Example
A wholesaler sends its invoices as a UBL file with a PDF attachment. The customer's accounting software reads in the data directly, after which only the GL account and VAT code still need to be determined.
FAQ
Questions about UBL invoice.
A PDF is an image of an invoice that must be recognised first. A UBL invoice contains the data in structured fields that software can read in directly.
For tax purposes a PDF sent by email counts as an electronic invoice, but it is not a structured e-invoice. E-invoicing via PEPPOL usually means a UBL file.
Further reading
Related in the knowledge base.
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