Electronic invoicing: have you thought of everything?
Since 1st September 2026, the reform of electronic invoicing has entered a new phase. All relevant French companies must now be able to receive electronic invoices, while the obligation to issue them is being gradually rolled out according to the size of the companies.
For transporters, this reform is not just a new regulatory obligation. It also involves evolving tools, processes, and work habits.
The 1st of September has passed, but have you thought of everything? Here are the main points to check.
1. Are you able to receive electronic invoices?
Since 1st September, the companies concerned must be able to receive their electronic invoices within the framework established by the reform.
It is therefore essential to ensure that your company has the necessary tools and access to receive and process these invoices through your approved platform.
2. Are your billing flows clearly identified?
Take the time to assess your current operations:
- How many invoices do you issue each month?
- How are they generated and transmitted?
- Which clients and suppliers are affected?
- What tools are you using today?
- How are invoices validated, archived, and tracked?
This mapping allows for the quick identification of potential bottlenecks.
3. Are your software programs compatible?
The reform involves new methods of exchanging and transmitting data, particularly with the format of invoices (Factur-X, UBL, CII)
For transport companies, particularly check that:
- your business management software is compatible
- your TMS generates your invoices in the correct format
- your validation processes are suitable
- The archiving and tracking of invoices are being properly managed.
A business tool that does not communicate properly with your billing environment can quickly become a hindrance.
4. Have you chosen your dematerialisation platform?
Companies must rely on a suitable solution to manage their electronic invoice exchanges. To do this, it is necessary to choose a platform approved by the State. To verify that this is indeed the case, click here
In addition to this verification, a specific logo has been created to help businesses easily identify them.
If it hasn't been done yet, it is important to check that the chosen solution meets your needs and that it can integrate with your existing tools.
Among the criteria to consider:
- the integration with your TMS and your software
- the management of incoming and outgoing flows
- the ease of use
- the proposed support
- the ability to automate certain tasks.
5. Are your customer and supplier data up to date?
The quality of data is essential for the proper functioning of electronic exchanges.
Take the opportunity to check in particular:
- SIREN numbers;
- the VAT information;
- billing addresses;
- the administrative contact details;
- the data present in your various software.
Incomplete or incorrect data can lead to errors or slow down the processing of invoices.
6. Do your teams know what to do?
Electronic invoicing concerns much more than the accounting department.
Administration, billing, operations, management… the employees involved in the process must be familiar with the new procedures and know how to handle incoming and outgoing invoices.
A quick meeting with the teams can help identify the difficulties encountered since the implementation of the reform.
7. And what if you took the opportunity to automate?
The reform can also be an opportunity to review certain processes.
For carriers, automation can notably enable:
- limit re-entries;
- reduce errors;
- accelerate the creation and validation of invoices;
- facilitate the monitoring of payments;
- save time on administrative tasks.
The objective is therefore not only to be compliant, but also to simplify daily management.
8. Have you ever tested your processes?
Now that the reform has entered its new phase, take stock of what is working... and what is holding things up.
Some questions to consider:
- Are electronic invoices being received correctly?
- Are the data being transmitted correctly?
- Do software programs communicate with each other?
- Do the teams have a grasp of the new processes?
- Have any potential issues been identified and resolved?
- Are the upcoming issuance deadlines being anticipated?
The reform has been launched. And now?
The reform is now a reality for the companies concerned.
The challenge is therefore to assess your organisation and to verify that your tools, your data, and your teams are truly ready to operate in this new environment.
For carriers, it is also an opportunity to turn this regulatory evolution into a lever for digitalisation and performance.
With STRADA and the PA Pennylane, electronic invoicing naturally integrates into the business processes of transport. Receipt of invoices, issuance from the TMS, and transmission via Pennylane: the flows integrate smoothly, with the possibility for STRADA clients to subscribe for free to the PA Pennylane for the issuance of their electronic invoices.
