Packages

UBL (Universal Business Language) document generation and parsing for Elixir. Supports Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 compliant invoices, credit notes, and application responses with SBDH support.

Current section

Files

Jump to
ubl_ex README.md
Raw

README.md

# UblEx
Parse and generate UBL (Universal Business Language) documents in Elixir with full round-trip support.
**Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 compliant** • **UBL 2.1** • **EN16931**
## Features
- **Parse** UBL Invoice, CreditNote, and ApplicationResponse XML documents
- **Generate** Peppol-compliant UBL XML
- **Validate** against official Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 rules (optional)
- **Round-trip support** - parse → generate → parse without data loss
- **Type-safe** - proper Elixir types (Date, Decimal, atoms)
- **Attachment support** - embed PDF files and other documents
- **Auto-detection** - automatically identify document types
- **Simple API** - no complex behaviours or callbacks
## Installation
Add `ubl_ex` to your list of dependencies in `mix.exs`:
```elixir
def deps do
[
{:ubl_ex, "~> 0.6.0"}
]
end
```
## Quick Start
### Parsing a UBL Document
```elixir
# Simple parse with automatic schema detection
{:ok, parsed} = UblEx.parse(xml_content)
# Or be explicit about the schema
{:ok, parsed} = UblEx.parse_xml(xml_content, :ubl_peppol)
# Access the data
IO.puts("Document type: #{parsed.type}") # :invoice, :credit, or :application_response
IO.puts("Invoice number: #{parsed.number}")
IO.puts("Supplier: #{parsed.supplier.name}")
IO.puts("Customer: #{parsed.customer.name}")
IO.puts("Total: #{length(parsed.details)} line items")
```
### Generating a UBL Invoice
```elixir
document_data = %{
type: :invoice,
number: "F2024001",
date: ~D[2024-01-15],
expires: ~D[2024-02-14],
supplier: %{
endpoint_id: "0797948229",
scheme: "0208",
name: "My Company",
street: "Main Street 123",
city: "Brussels",
zipcode: "1000",
country: "BE",
vat: "BE0797948229",
email: "invoice@mycompany.com"
},
customer: %{
endpoint_id: "0012345625",
scheme: "0208",
name: "Customer Corp",
vat: "BE0012345625",
street: "Customer Street",
housenumber: "45",
city: "Antwerp",
zipcode: "2000",
country: "BE"
},
details: [
%{
name: "Consulting Services - January 2024",
quantity: Decimal.new("40.0"),
price: Decimal.new("75.00"),
vat: Decimal.new("21.00"),
discount: Decimal.new("0.00")
}
]
}
# Generate the XML
xml = UblEx.generate(document_data)
```
### Generating a Credit Note
```elixir
credit_note_data = %{
type: :credit,
number: "C2024001",
date: ~D[2024-01-20],
# Reference original invoices
billing_references: ["F2024001", "F2024002"],
supplier: %{...},
customer: %{...},
details: [...]
}
xml = UblEx.generate(credit_note_data)
```
### Generating an Application Response
Application responses are used to acknowledge receipt and processing status of invoices:
```elixir
response_data = %{
type: :application_response,
id: "RESPONSE-001",
date: ~D[2025-06-02],
response_code: "AB", # AB = Acknowledged, RE = Rejected
document_reference: "INV-123",
sender: %{
endpoint_id: "0797948229",
scheme: "0208",
name: "My Company"
},
receiver: %{
endpoint_id: "0844125969",
scheme: "0208",
name: "Supplier Inc"
},
status_reason: "Invoice approved", # Optional
note: "Payment scheduled" # Optional
}
xml = UblEx.generate(response_data)
```
### Working with Attachments
```elixir
# Include PDF attachments (e.g., signed invoice)
document_data = %{
type: :invoice,
number: "F2024001",
# ... other fields ...
attachments: [
%{
filename: "F2024001.pdf",
mime_type: "application/pdf",
data: Base.encode64(pdf_binary)
},
%{
filename: "terms.pdf",
mime_type: "application/pdf",
data: Base.encode64(terms_pdf)
}
]
}
xml = UblEx.generate(document_data)
# Parse documents with attachments
{:ok, parsed} = UblEx.parse(xml)
parsed.attachments
# => [%{filename: "F2024001.pdf", mime_type: "application/pdf", data: "base64..."}]
```
### Generating SBDH-Wrapped Documents
For Peppol network transmission, wrap documents in a Standard Business Document Header (SBDH):
```elixir
# Same document data as before
document_data = %{
type: :invoice,
number: "F2024001",
date: ~D[2024-01-15],
# ... all other fields ...
}
# Generate with SBDH wrapper for Peppol network
sbdh_xml = UblEx.generate_with_sbdh(document_data)
# The SBDH includes routing information automatically derived from:
# - Supplier endpoint_id and scheme -> SBDH Sender
# - Customer VAT (if no endpoint_id) -> SBDH Receiver
# - Document type and customization -> SBDH Business Scope
# Parse SBDH-wrapped documents (automatically unwraps)
{:ok, parsed} = UblEx.parse(sbdh_xml)
# Returns the same data structure as parsing unwrapped UBL
```
### Validating UBL Documents
UblEx includes an optional validator that validates your generated UBL documents against official Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 rules using the free peppol.helger.com validation service.
**Note:** This feature requires the optional `req` dependency. Add it to your `mix.exs`:
```elixir
def deps do
[
{:ubl_ex, "~> 0.6.0"},
{:req, "~> 0.5.0"} # Required for validation
]
end
```
#### Validating an Invoice
```elixir
# Generate an invoice
document_data = %{type: :invoice, number: "F2024001", ...}
xml = UblEx.generate(document_data)
# Validate against Peppol BIS Billing 3.0
case UblEx.Validator.validate(xml, :invoice) do
{:ok, result} ->
IO.puts("✓ Valid Peppol invoice!")
if result.warnings != [] do
IO.puts("Warnings: #{inspect(result.warnings)}")
end
{:error, %{success: false, errors: errors}} ->
IO.puts("✗ Invalid invoice:")
Enum.each(errors, fn error -> IO.puts(" - #{error}") end)
end
```
#### Validating a Credit Note
```elixir
xml = UblEx.generate(%{type: :credit, ...})
UblEx.Validator.validate(xml, :credit)
```
#### Validation Options
```elixir
# Custom timeout (default: 30 seconds)
UblEx.Validator.validate(xml, :invoice, timeout: 60_000)
# Override VESID (validation executor set ID)
UblEx.Validator.validate(xml, :invoice, vesid: "eu.peppol.bis3:invoice:3.13.0")
```
#### Understanding Validation Results
The validator returns:
- **Errors** - Must be fixed for Peppol compliance
- **Warnings** - Should be fixed for best practices (e.g., country-specific requirements)
```elixir
{:ok, result} = UblEx.Validator.validate(xml, :invoice)
result.success # true/false
result.errors # List of error messages
result.warnings # List of warning messages
```
**Important Notes:**
- Validation requires an internet connection (calls external service)
- The service is provided free of charge without SLA
- For production use, consider caching validation results
- SBDH-wrapped documents cannot be validated directly (unwrap first)
## Document Structure
### Invoice and Credit Note Structure
```elixir
%{
# Document metadata
type: :invoice | :credit,
number: "F2024001",
date: ~D[2024-01-15],
expires: ~D[2024-02-14], # Invoices only
order_reference: "PO-12345",
billing_references: ["F001"], # Credit notes only
payment_id: "+++000/2024/00186+++", # Optional: Belgian structured payment reference
# Supplier information
supplier: %{
endpoint_id: "0797948229",
scheme: "0208", # Peppol scheme ID
name: "Company Name",
street: "Street 123",
city: "City",
zipcode: "1000",
country: "BE",
vat: "BE0797948229",
email: "invoice@company.com",
iban: "BE68539007547034" # Required for payment means
},
# Customer information
customer: %{
endpoint_id: "0012345625",
scheme: "0208",
name: "Customer Name",
vat: "BE0012345625",
street: "Customer Street",
housenumber: "45",
city: "City",
zipcode: "2000",
country: "BE"
},
# Line items
details: [
%{
name: "Service or product description",
quantity: Decimal.new("1.00"),
price: Decimal.new("100.00"),
vat: Decimal.new("21.00"), # VAT percentage
discount: Decimal.new("0.00"), # Discount percentage
tax_category: :standard # Optional: defaults to :standard for non-zero VAT, :zero_rated for 0%
}
],
# Optional attachments
attachments: [
%{
filename: "invoice.pdf",
mime_type: "application/pdf",
data: "base64encoded..."
}
]
}
```
### Application Response Structure
```elixir
%{
# Document metadata
type: :application_response,
id: "RESPONSE-001",
date: ~D[2025-06-02],
response_code: "AB", # AB = Acknowledged, RE = Rejected, AP = Accepted with errors, CA = Conditionally accepted
document_reference: "INV-123", # The invoice/credit note being acknowledged
status_reason: "Optional reason",
note: "Optional note",
# Sender (the party sending the response)
sender: %{
endpoint_id: "0797948229",
scheme: "0208",
name: "Company Name"
},
# Receiver (the party receiving the response)
receiver: %{
endpoint_id: "0844125969",
scheme: "0208",
name: "Supplier Name"
}
}
```
## API Reference
### Parsing
#### `UblEx.parse(xml_content)`
Parse UBL XML with automatic schema detection. This is the recommended way to parse documents.
Returns `{:ok, parsed_data}` or `{:error, reason}`.
#### `UblEx.parse_xml(xml_content, schema_id)`
Parse XML with a specific schema (`:ubl_peppol`). Use this when you know the schema in advance.
Returns `{:ok, parsed_data}` or `{:error, reason}`.
### Generation
#### `UblEx.generate(document_data)`
Generate XML based on the `:type` field in the data (`:invoice`, `:credit`, or `:application_response`).
#### `UblEx.generate_with_sbdh(document_data)`
Generate XML wrapped in SBDH (Standard Business Document Header) for Peppol network transmission.
## Tax Categories
UblEx supports all Peppol BIS 3.0 tax categories via the `tax_category` field on line items:
| Atom | Peppol Code | Use Case |
|------|-------------|----------|
| `:standard` | S | Standard rated VAT (default for 6/12/21%) |
| `:zero_rated` | Z | Zero rated goods (default for 0% VAT) |
| `:exempt` | E | Exempt from tax |
| `:reverse_charge` | AE | Domestic reverse charge |
| `:intra_community` | K | EU cross-border B2B (intra-community supply) |
| `:export` | G | Export outside EU |
| `:outside_scope` | O | Services outside scope of tax |
### EU Intra-Community Transactions
For B2B transactions between EU countries where the customer is liable for VAT:
```elixir
document_data = %{
type: :invoice,
number: "F2024001",
# ...
details: [
%{
name: "Consulting Services",
quantity: Decimal.new("1.00"),
price: Decimal.new("1000.00"),
vat: Decimal.new("0.00"),
discount: Decimal.new("0.00"),
tax_category: :intra_community # Generates tax category "K" in UBL
}
]
}
```
### Mixed Tax Categories
You can mix different tax categories in the same invoice:
```elixir
details: [
%{
name: "Standard Service",
quantity: Decimal.new("1.00"),
price: Decimal.new("500.00"),
vat: Decimal.new("21.00"),
discount: Decimal.new("0.00")
# tax_category defaults to :standard
},
%{
name: "EU Cross-Border Service",
quantity: Decimal.new("1.00"),
price: Decimal.new("1000.00"),
vat: Decimal.new("0.00"),
discount: Decimal.new("0.00"),
tax_category: :intra_community
},
%{
name: "Export Service",
quantity: Decimal.new("1.00"),
price: Decimal.new("750.00"),
vat: Decimal.new("0.00"),
discount: Decimal.new("0.00"),
tax_category: :export
}
]
```
## Real-World Usage
### Basic Invoice Processing
```elixir
defmodule MyApp.Invoices do
def import_ubl_invoice(xml_file_path) do
with {:ok, xml} <- File.read(xml_file_path),
{:ok, parsed} <- UblEx.parse(xml) do
# Save to your database
%Invoice{}
|> Invoice.changeset(%{
number: parsed.number,
date: parsed.date,
supplier_name: parsed.supplier.name,
customer_name: parsed.customer.name,
total: calculate_total(parsed.details)
})
|> Repo.insert()
end
end
defp calculate_total(details) do
Enum.reduce(details, Decimal.new(0), fn item, acc ->
line_total = Decimal.mult(item.quantity, item.price)
Decimal.add(acc, line_total)
end)
end
end
```
### Generate Invoice from Database
```elixir
defmodule MyApp.Invoices do
def generate_ubl_xml(invoice_id) do
invoice = Repo.get!(Invoice, invoice_id) |> Repo.preload([:customer, :supplier, :line_items])
document_data = %{
type: :invoice,
number: invoice.number,
date: invoice.date,
expires: invoice.due_date,
supplier: %{
endpoint_id: invoice.supplier.endpoint_id,
scheme: invoice.supplier.scheme,
name: invoice.supplier.name,
street: invoice.supplier.street,
city: invoice.supplier.city,
zipcode: invoice.supplier.zipcode,
country: invoice.supplier.country,
vat: invoice.supplier.vat,
email: invoice.supplier.email
},
customer: %{
endpoint_id: invoice.customer.endpoint_id,
scheme: invoice.customer.scheme,
name: invoice.customer.name,
vat: invoice.customer.vat,
street: invoice.customer.street,
housenumber: invoice.customer.housenumber,
city: invoice.customer.city,
zipcode: invoice.customer.zipcode,
country: invoice.customer.country
},
details: Enum.map(invoice.line_items, fn item ->
base = %{
name: item.description,
quantity: item.quantity,
price: item.unit_price,
vat: item.vat_rate,
discount: item.discount_percentage
}
if item.tax_category, do: Map.put(base, :tax_category, item.tax_category), else: base
end)
}
UblEx.generate(document_data)
end
end
```
## Compliance
This library generates UBL documents compliant with:
- **UBL 2.1** - Universal Business Language version 2.1
- **Peppol BIS Billing 3.0** - Pan-European Public Procurement Online
- **EN16931** - European standard for electronic invoicing
## Changelog
See [CHANGELOG.md](CHANGELOG.md) for version history.
## License
MIT License - see [LICENSE](LICENSE) for details.
## Contributing
Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit a Pull Request.