pdfRest launches API tool for ZUGFeRD and Factur-X e-invoices

pdfRest, by Datalogics, has introduced a REST API tool that builds and validates hybrid ZUGFeRD and Factur-X invoices for German and French e-invoicing workflows. The new tool is available now on pdfRest Pro and Enterprise plans and is designed to reduce manual work and compliance errors in invoice systems.

Why it matters: - German and French e-invoicing rules require a single file that serves both people and machines. - The new tool is meant to automate that process for accounting platforms, ERP systems, billing apps and document management systems. - Automating invoice assembly and validation can reduce rejection risk when PDF content, XML data or metadata do not match.

What happened: - pdfRest, by Datalogics, launched the Create ZUGFeRD PDF API Tool on September 29, 2026. - The tool builds and validates ZUGFeRD and Factur-X hybrid e-invoices in one REST API workflow. - The tool is available now on pdfRest Pro and Enterprise plans. - The release targets systems serving German and French markets.

The details: - ZUGFeRD in Germany and Factur-X in France use a hybrid invoice format. - The format combines a human-readable PDF/A-3 document with embedded UN/CEFACT Cross Industry Invoice XML. - The API accepts CII XML invoice data and can also work with an existing branded PDF. - The tool assembles the hybrid package, validates it and returns a finished file ready for delivery, archival or downstream processing. - ZUGFeRD 2.5.2 and Factur-X 1.09.2 share the same PDF/A-3 and CII XML model, so one integration supports both standards. - The tool supports the MINIMUM, BASIC WL, BASIC and EN16931 profiles for both standards. - The XML-only workflow generates the visual invoice and PDF/A-3 package directly from valid CII XML. - The PDF-plus-XML workflow preserves an existing invoice PDF while embedding XML, converting to PDF/A-3, applying attachment relationships and adding required metadata. - The tool compares detectable information and rejects concrete discrepancies by default to avoid mismatches between visual and structured data. - The regenerate-on-demand workflow uses regenerate_pdf=true to replace a mismatched or unconfirmed PDF with a newly rendered invoice from the canonical XML. - For generated or regenerated invoices, render_options controls logo placement, typography, RGB or CMYK color palettes, label language, regional date and decimal formatting, currency display and footer content. - The guide on how to generate ZUGFeRD and Facture-X compliant e-invoices is available for developers who want configuration help. - A separate validation endpoint, /validated-zugferd, can inspect any ZUGFeRD or Factur-X PDF without modifying it. - The validator checks PDF/A-3 conformance, embedded XML presence, business rules, attachment metadata, XMP properties and consistency between the visual invoice and the XML. - The validation response separates overall compliance from content-match confidence. - A status of VALID is returned only when every layer passes. - When reverse confirmation is not possible but no concrete mismatch is found, the tool returns an UNVERIFIED content-match status with a non-blocking warning. - Every API call returns reusable resource IDs, allowing creation and validation to be chained without downloading intermediate files.

Between the lines: - The launch positions pdfRest as a workflow layer for a compliance problem that usually spans multiple systems and manual checks. - The UNVERIFIED state suggests the tool is designed to balance automation with human review when full confirmation is not available. - The single-integration approach is aimed at teams that need to support both Germany and France without maintaining separate code paths.

What's next: - Developers can review parameters, explore payload examples and test integration strategies in the interactive pdfRest API Lab with a free account. - pdfRest is steering users toward immediate implementation on its Pro and Enterprise plans. - The company says the tool can be used for automated invoice generation and validation across future workflow integrations.

The bottom line: - pdfRest is trying to turn a complex cross-border e-invoicing standard into one API call, one validation step and one reusable workflow.