API

How to automate e-invoicing for e-commerce with an API solution

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Every click on the “buy” button of an online shop triggers a chain of events involving, in the best-case scenario, payments, logistics, customer management and tax documentation. Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) can help automate part of these processes. In this article you can find out what APIs are, how they work and why A-Cube’s help manage electronic invoicing for e-commerce in a simple, scalable and legally compliant way.



Electronic invoicing obligation for e-commerce: how it works



Do you run a small e-shop or a large e-commerce business? Do you sell online in Italy or abroad? In any case, you are required to comply with the electronic invoicing regulations which, since 1 January 2019, have been mandatory in Italy for most transactions. E-commerce is no exception but is subject to different obligations depending on whether it is direct or indirect trade.



  • In the case of indirect e-commerce of physical goods, the sale takes place online but ends with the delivery of a physical item. You are not required to issue an electronic invoice, but the customer may request one; for this reason, you need compliant software to do so. 



  • Direct e-commerce of intangible goods refers to online sales of services and virtual products. The entire transaction, from sale to delivery, takes place on the web. This is the case, for example, for website hosting, online software, distance learning, etc. These services are subject to the obligation of electronic invoicing. 



It should be remembered that electronic invoicing requires compliance with digital standards compatible with European regulations, such as the use of PEPPOL, and with future obligations foreseen by the ViDA proposal (VAT in the Digital Age), which will extend the e-invoicing obligation across Europe by 2028.



How e-commerce businesses must issue invoices



Turning to the practical side, e-commerce electronic invoicing follows the same rules as other businesses. Issuance must be in XML format compliant with the specifications of the Revenue Agency. The document must be sent through the Interchange System (SdI). Added to this is the obligation of compliant digital archiving, which requires document storage for at least 10 years using certified tools. In this workflow, another step must be considered: digital payment, which is carried out through different platforms. And these are not always compatible with business ERPs. 



One of the biggest difficulties is precisely the integration between software that perform different roles and, often, do not speak the same language. Adapting to the regulations without compromising day-to-day activity can become an obstacle course. In particular, the electronic invoicing process, which involves issuing the document, sending it and archiving it, can become an excessive burden if managed with non-integrated tools. In the worst cases, where errors or oversights occur, it can result in costly penalties.



To solve these problems with a single service, simply opt for an API-rest solution for electronic invoicing like A-Cube’s.



A-Cube API E-invoicing: from online order to electronic invoice without friction



The A-Cube E-invoicing API allows you to generate and send electronic invoices to the Interchange System (SdI) in real time. Everything happens in an integrated way with your management systems, with no queues or waiting. The API dashboard is extremely intuitive and easy to use and allows you to:



  • send invoices in XML or JSON format;



  • automate processes on selected tax codes and VAT numbers and set specific actions for each company;



  • automatically manage notifications and any rejections;



  • access total or aggregated usage statistics.



This approach drastically reduces the risk of errors and speeds up times. In a market that demands speed and precision, every second saved (with legally compliant actions) counts. In addition, the API platform for electronic invoicing developed by A-Cube is: 



  • compatible with the ERP systems and management software already adopted for your e-commerce; 



  • customisable where necessary;



  • suitable for communication both via REST API and via FTP protocol. 



This means its integration is simple and quick and does not require changes to existing ecosystems. Ideal for those who want to be compliant without too much financial outlay.



Other A-Cube APIs for e-commerce



Those who wish can also automate compliant archiving and digital signing with API Preservation. If integrated, this service allows you to preserve electronic invoices, certified email (PEC), accounting records and digitally signed documents. The API manages all stages, from applying the digital signature to the timestamp through to archiving for 10 years in accordance with AgID guidelines. The advantages are significant: from reducing the space needed to archive paper documents to rapid and efficient retrieval and their protection from physical damage or loss.



E-commerce businesses that have chosen Stripe as their payment platform can also integrate the A-Cube App for Stripe. It was developed to automatically generate and send electronic invoices to the interchange system directly from the Stripe dashboard. In other words: it turns every transaction into a valid tax document. Available on the Stripe Marketplace, the App is easy to install and configure in a few minutes. From its dashboard you can check the status of each invoice, manage any sending errors and download documents in XML or PDF format. Ideal for simplifying the process, reducing manual errors and acting in tax compliance without leaving the Stripe environment.



Beyond compliance: A-Cube’s API for e-commerce growth



Adopting the API solution for e-commerce electronic invoicing like the one offered by A‑Cube makes it possible to eliminate multiple problems with a single service. The benefits can already be measured in the short term:



  • reduction in manual activities and the risk of errors in tax procedures;



  • saving human resources involved in checks and document completion;



  • reduction in the order-to-invoice cycle time, which becomes automated;



  • improvement in customer experience thanks to a correct and timely invoice, without the need for after-sales intervention.



Moreover, thanks to workflow automation, it is possible to free up valuable time for other project activities aimed at e-commerce growth. In a market where speed and reliability make the difference, digitising invoicing is not just a necessity. It is a competitive advantage. With a scalable, secure and compliant API like A-Cube’s, you can be one step ahead of those who still manage online electronic invoices with partial, non-integrated and slow solutions. Whether you run a small e-shop or a marketplace with thousands of orders per day, the message is clear: compliance is no longer an obstacle but an efficiency accelerator. And with the right APIs, you can turn it into a concrete opportunity.



You can try the E-invoicing API free of charge and without commitment in a sandbox environment and fully simulate integration with the Interchange System. To find out more, visit our dedicated page or write to us at info@acubeapi.com.