What is UBL.BE?

UBL.BE is a Belgian UBL specification published by a non-profit association founded in 2017 (UBL.BE). It is a conformant extension of EN 16931, not a compliant format for sending invoices to Belgian customers under the 2026 B2B requirement, according to its publisher (version information). It can transfer invoice data between business and accounting software. Peppol is the usual route for in-scope domestic B2B e-invoices, with conditions for agreed alternatives.

What is UBL.BE used for?

Transferring invoice data between software systems, such as exporting sales invoices from ERP software into an accountant's sales journal. It is not itself the compliant invoice sent to a Belgian customer under the new B2B rule. For bank transactions in the same workflow, see CODA.

How is a UBL.BE invoice recognised?

By its CustomizationID, which names UBL.BE and a version. The file is otherwise a normal UBL 2.1 invoice or credit note.

UBL.BE or Peppol BIS?

Since 1 January 2026, in-scope Belgian domestic B2B invoices must be structured electronic invoices. Peppol is the usual route, but the FPS Finance FAQ describes conditions for agreed alternatives. UBL.BE says the format cannot be used to send invoices to customers under the new law, regardless of whether it is emailed or uploaded (UBL.BE). See Peppol BIS and the Belgian guide. This is general information, not tax advice.

How does Klarbon handle UBL.BE?

Klarbon opens UBL.BE invoices with the supported identifier urn:UBL.BE:1.0.0.20180214 and can use them as conversion sources, for example to Peppol BIS. It does not check UBL.BE rules, write UBL.BE files or establish that a converted invoice is accepted by the recipient. Source fields outside Klarbon's invoice model may not carry over.

Related

• All e-invoicing terms
• E-invoicing by country
• Help centre