What is PDF/A-3? Format and uses explained

PDF/A-3 is the ISO 19005-3 standard for archival PDF files that may carry embedded files of any type. Hybrid e-invoices use it: ZUGFeRD and Factur-X are PDF/A-3 files with the invoice's CII XML inside, so people read the page and software reads the XML. A PDF/A-3 on its own is not an e-invoice; it needs the right XML, declared the right way.

What does PDF/A-3 add?

Property	Value
Standard	ISO 19005-3 (PDF Association)
Purpose	long-term archiving: fonts embedded, no external dependencies
Difference from PDF/A-1 and PDF/A-2	any file type can be embedded, with its relationship to the document declared
Used by	ZUGFeRD, Factur-X

The XML and PDF metadata must follow the applicable Factur-X or ZUGFeRD specification. PDF/A-3 conformance alone does not establish that the invoice is correct (FNFE-MPE).

Why is a PDF/A-3 not automatically an e-invoice?

Because the embedding is only the container. A file counts as ZUGFeRD or Factur-X when it also carries a valid CII invoice, with the right name, relationship and profile, and the XML matches what the page shows. A scanned invoice saved as PDF/A-3 is still a picture.

What can Klarbon do with PDF/A-3 invoices?

Task	Tool
Read the XML inside	Open a ZUGFeRD invoice or a Factur-X invoice, free
Make one from a plain PDF	Reading plain PDF invoices is not available yet
Make one from an e-invoice	Convert an e-invoice to ZUGFeRD or Factur-X

Frequently asked questions

Is every PDF/A-3 file an e-invoice?

No. PDF/A-3 only allows files to be embedded. A PDF/A-3 is a ZUGFeRD or Factur-X e-invoice only when it carries the right CII XML, named and declared as those standards require.

How do I see the XML inside a PDF/A-3 invoice?

Open it in an e-invoice viewer that reads the embedded file. A viewer showing the visible pages alone does not show you the invoice XML.

What is the difference between PDF/A-1, PDF/A-2 and PDF/A-3?

All are archival PDF standards. PDF/A-3 is the one that allows embedding any file type, such as XML.

What is PDF/A-3?