With Peppol you HAVE TO send e invoices via your accounting software
We notice that there is quite a bit of confusion regarding Peppol and e-invoicing. We regularly receive messages from entrepreneurs who believe that you can only register once on Peppol AND that this implies that invoicing via Peppol Commerce is not possible. This is, of course, not entirely correct. In this article, we explain step by step exactly how Peppol registration works, what it means for your company, and why Peppol Commerce is actually a powerful solution for sending e-invoices smoothly and professionally.
One registration, one address on Peppol
It is true that a company can only register once on the Peppol network. That registration functions as your “address” on the network — comparable to an email address, but for electronic invoicing. Your registration ensures that other parties can recognize you as an official Peppol participant and can receive or send e-invoices to you
A Belgian company is obliged to register with its enterprise number. That enterprise number receives a specific code in the Peppol system, namely the 0208 prefix. This prefix immediately clarifies that it concerns a Belgian Peppol registration.
Additionally, if you wish, you can also have your VAT number registered. In that case, you get a 9925 scheme ID. This is completely optional: the enterprise number suffices to be able to send and receive e-invoices. Registration under both numbers can be useful for specific administrative or international situations, but it is certainly not a requirement.
Registration and invoicing: two separate matters
An important point of confusion is that some think that Peppol registration has something directly to do with the invoicing process itself. That is not the case. The registration is simply an identification of your company on the network. It does not determine how or via which software you create and send your invoices.
Whether you work with an accounting package, a webshop, or an invoicing plugin like Peppol Commerce: as long as your company has a valid Peppol address, you can send e-invoices. Peppol Commerce uses your existing registration to send the invoices technically correctly via the Peppol network — in a way that is fully in line with legal requirements.
How Peppol Commerce simplifies your invoicing
Using Peppol Commerce fits perfectly into a modern invoicing environment. Especially if you run a web store or sell online services, this plugin offers a number of clear advantages.
- One central solution – Peppol Commerce makes it possible to manage your entire invoicing process — both online and offline — within one platform. This way, you no longer have to switch between different systems.
- Automatic e-invoices for companies – Do you sell to both private individuals and companies? Then you can automatically make the distinction between the two. Companies receive an official e-invoice via Peppol (don’t worry, you can still send a PDF version separately via email), consumers simply get a PDF invoice via email.
- Professional appearance – By sending e-invoices via Peppol, you show your B2B customers that you work professionally and are future-oriented. Moreover, you avoid errors or delays when exchanging invoices.
- Accounting efficiency – E-invoices sent via Peppol Commerce can also be automatically prepared for processing in your bookkeeping. That saves time and minimizes manual work.
What if you have multiple sales channels?
Many companies combine online and offline sales: for example, a webshop AND a physical store. Even then, there is no problem using Peppol Commerce. You can choose to process all sales via the same sales journal, or to keep separate journals — just as you would do before e-invoicing.
The essence remains the same: Peppol Commerce can create and send e-invoices for all your invoicing flows, as long as your company registration on Peppol is valid. As a result, the transition to e-invoicing runs smoothly, without you having to fundamentally change your administrative structure.
Why the switch to Peppol Commerce pays off
The European obligation for e-invoicing is coming, and Belgium is strongly committed to this. By starting now with a solution like Peppol Commerce, you make your company ready for the future. You simplify your invoicing, reduce errors, and create one streamlined process for all sales channels.
In short: registration on Peppol happens once, but you can fully customize your invoicing. Peppol Commerce offers the flexibility to separate or combine your sales, and ensures that every invoice — regardless of origin — is sent correctly, securely, and automatically via Peppol.
By choosing e-invoicing via Peppol Commerce, you take an important step towards a more efficient, professional, and future-oriented administration.
