Shopify does not itself generate GoBD-compliant invoices or e-invoices. This article outlines the options available through third-party providers and the process for sending invoices to a tax consultancy.

Introduction

Shopify is an e-commerce platform for selling goods, but it is not an invoicing or accounting programme. Anyone wishing to create legally compliant invoices or e-invoices using Shopify will therefore need to use an additional solution. This article explains why this is the case, what options are available and how the data ultimately finds its way into our accounts. We’ll support you in selecting and integrating the right solution.

First, a few clarifications, as there are often misunderstandings regarding invoicing with Shopify:

Shopify does not generate legally compliant invoices on its own – order confirmations and simple PDF receipts are not sufficient for this purpose. Such a PDF is neither automatically GoBD-compliant nor an e-invoice.

Furthermore, the e-invoicing requirement only applies to your sales to businesses, not to private customers. And simply installing an app isn’t enough: which solution is suitable and how it is integrated with your accounting system depends on your shop.

Below, we explain why Shopify does not generate invoices, which solution should meet which requirements, and which three options are commonly used in practice.

Why Shopify alone does not issue invoices

Shopify manages your products, orders and payments, but is not designed as invoicing or accounting software. Whilst simple PDF invoices can be generated using the ‘Order Printer’ function or via draft orders, these do not automatically meet German requirements.

The reason lies in the details. Shopify assigns order numbers, not a sequential invoice number series, and does not store the documents in a tamper-proof format.

Then there is the issue of format. Whilst Shopify Tax calculates tax rates and displays simple tax documents, it does not generate a legally compliant invoice, let alone a structured e-invoice in the XRechnung or ZUGFeRD format. For these tasks, you will need a third-party solution.

E-invoicing primarily affects your B2B sales

Most Shopify shops sell to private customers. There is no e-invoicing obligation for these sales (B2C). However, as soon as you sell to other businesses (B2B), the e-invoicing rules apply: you have been required to receive e-invoices since 1 January 2025; there are transition periods for issuing them, and from 2028 onwards, issuing them will be mandatory for all businesses.

We have summarised the legal background and the exact deadlines in a separate article:

This distinction is particularly useful for technical implementation in Shopify because you need an e-invoice format for B2B, whereas for B2C you need a proper, but not necessarily structured, invoice.

What a solution should offer

Regardless of the variant, the chosen tool should meet certain requirements. These points will help you make your selection:

• [ ] sequential, unbroken invoice numbers – not the Shopify order number
• [ ] all mandatory details in accordance with Section 14 of the German Value Added Tax Act (UStG)
• [ ] audit-proof, tamper-proof archiving (GoBD)
• [ ] XRechnung and/or ZUGFeRD e-invoice formats for B2B invoices
• [ ] Allocation of payments to invoices (payment reconciliation)
• [ ] Transfer to the practice via the DATEV interface or DATEV export

The choice will vary depending on whether you sell exclusively via Shopify or use multiple channels.

An overview of the three options

In practice, the solutions can be divided into three groups. They differ in terms of their range of functions, e-invoicing capability and the method of data transfer to us.

Option 1: Invoice app directly within Shopify

Here, an app from the Shopify App Store generates invoices directly from your orders. Examples include Rechnungsprinter Pro, Sufio or the easybill app.

These apps assign their own invoice number series, archive documents in accordance with GoBD standards and usually offer a DATEV export. E-invoicing capabilities vary: some generate ZUGFeRD invoices or send them via the Peppol network, whilst Order Printer and Order Printer Pro do not generate e-invoices. The app must therefore explicitly support the required format.

Option 2: Invoicing and accounting tool with Shopify integration

These tools import orders from Shopify, generate invoices and handle the preparatory bookkeeping at the same time. Examples include lexware office, sevDesk and easybill.

They generally support XRechnung and ZUGFeRD and include a DATEV interface. For shops wishing to combine their invoicing and bookkeeping in a single tool – particularly with regard to tax rates and delivery thresholds abroad – this is a practical solution.

Option 3: Multi-channel inventory management

Those who use other channels such as Amazon, eBay or Etsy alongside Shopify often utilise an inventory management system. Examples include Billbee for the DACH region, as well as more comprehensive systems such as Xentral or JTL.

As well as invoices, these systems also manage stock, dispatch labels and delivery notes. According to Billbee, it generates e-invoices in ZUGFeRD format; there is no direct DATEV interface, so data is transferred via a data export or an additional tool. This option is often the most suitable for multi-channel retailers and larger order volumes.

The examples given are illustrative only and do not constitute a recommendation. The solution that suits you best depends on your sales channels, order volume and your accounting requirements.

How to set up your solution

Set-up can be completed in just a few steps – ideally together with us, to ensure the handover to your accounts department runs smoothly from the outset.

1. You clarify your requirements

   You check whether you sell only to end customers or also to businesses, how many orders you receive, and whether you use other channels alongside Shopify.

2. Choose the right option

   Based on this, you choose one of the three options and a specific tool. We’ll work with you to determine which solution is best suited to your shop.

3. You connect the tool to Shopify

   You connect the solution to your shop via the relevant app or interface so that orders are automatically imported.

4. You set up invoicing

   You define the invoice number range, the mandatory details and the rules for credit notes and cancellation invoices.

5. We set up the data transfer to the accountancy firm

   Together, we set up the DATEV interface or DATEV export so that invoices and payments are sent to us.

6. You carry out a test run

   You generate test invoices and check the format, number range and data transfer with us before going live.

How the data is sent to us depends on the tool. Some solutions offer a direct DATEV interface, in some cases right through to DATEV Unternehmen Online; others transfer the data via a DATEV export or an additional tool.

Payment reconciliation also plays a role. In an online shop, payments are received via Shopify Payments, PayPal or Klarna, and these must be matched to the invoices. If the tool does not handle this matching, we will have to carry out the reconciliation later.

Common sources of error

When implementing this in Shopify, the following issues in particular tend to arise:

• Relying on the Shopify PDF: The simple documents from Order Printer are not GoBD-compliant and do not constitute e-invoices. In the event of an audit, the accounts may be rejected.
• Using the order number as the invoice number: If the Shopify order number is used as the invoice number, gaps will appear in the numbering sequence. A gap in the numbering sequence is a typical reason for a rejection.
• Incorrect or missing e-invoice format: If a business customer requests an e-invoice, a PDF is not sufficient. The tool must be able to generate XRechnung or ZUGFeRD.
• No payment reconciliation: Without linking payments to invoices, it remains unclear which order has been paid for. The task of reconciliation then falls to us and takes up time.
• Credit notes and cancellations not recorded: Refunds without a corresponding credit note result in payments without a matching document. The accounts then do not match the payments.
• No data transfer to the accountancy firm set up: Without a DATEV interface or regular export, the data remains within the shop environment and does not reach our accounts department.

Division of responsibilities

Your tasks:

• You work with us to select a suitable solution and integrate it with Shopify.
• You set up invoicing – number series, mandatory details, credit notes and cancellations.
• You maintain your master data and flag business customers (B2B).
• You ensure that an invoice is generated for every order.

Our tasks:

• We recommend a solution tailored to your shop.
• We set up data transfer via the DATEV interface or DATEV export.
• We check the documents, allocate payments and handle the bookkeeping.
• We’re here to advise you on formats, B2B/B2C and the small business scheme.

We’ll agree on the division of tasks with you on a case-by-case basis – depending on the solution you’ve chosen and the structure of your shop.

Frequently asked questions

Legal notice

This article provides an overview and is not a substitute for individual advice. The scope of functions and names of the providers mentioned are subject to change; the current status applies. The mention of individual tools is by way of example only and does not constitute a recommendation.

If you have any questions about choosing a solution, e-invoicing in the B2B sector or integrating with us, please contact us directly.

As at: June 2026