UBL is a file format, just like doc, pdf, txt and html. The UBL file format allows machines to read and interpret the file. We therefore call it a standard. The advantage of this is that it allows computers to exchange invoices between themselves without anyone having to retype the data.
Various documents are possible within UBL, such as an order, a packing slip and also the invoice. Below is a part of a UBL invoice. The receiving financial system now knows that this invoice refers to an order with the ID 10303131:
- <cac:OrderReference>
- <cbc:ID>10303131</cbc:ID>
- </cac:OrderReference>
The most commonly used UBL format in the Netherlands is the Simplerinvoicing UBL (SI-UBL), but other formats and versions also exist.
Tradeinterop supports different formats and different versions, so that a sender does not have to worry about whether his software supports the correct format. Tradeinterop can convert various formats to other formats, such as the SI-UBL. This allows you to send e-invoices to most other parties.
For more information about the SI-UBL, see: STPE.