Lake Uyuni in Bolivia, where you may want to understand invoicing requirements for a foreign company

Invoicing Requirements for a Foreign Company in Bolivia

If you are doing business in the Bolivian market, understanding invoicing requirements for a foreign company in Bolivia will be important. Because failure to invoice according to local regulations and norms could result in legal inconveniences or financial penalties that will be detrimental to the smooth running of your business.

La Paz in Bolivia, where you may want to understand invoicing requirements for a foreign company
La Paz in Bolivia

Invoices provide a detailed record of transactions undertaken for your business, and are an indispensable resource for accountancy matters. They also offer a level of legal protection to both parties involved in the transaction, demonstrating the provider’s commitment to offer up a particular good or service, as well as the recipient’s commitment to pay for it once provided as agreed.

For anyone looking to register a company in Bolivia, while you will likely have a local partner assisting you with legal and accounting matters, it is worthwhile having an understanding of invoicing requirements for a foreign company.

If you are interested in doing business in Bolivia or need specialist corporate support services, contact us now to discuss how we can facilitate and support your operations.

Invoicing requirements for a foreign company in Bolivia: essential considerations

One of the most fundamental invoicing requirements for a foreign company in Bolivia is to have a legal entity established in the country in the first place. 

That means that the company formation process has been completed, and that the entity has a registered address, as well as being registered with the national tax authority, which has issued the entity with a tax identification number, or NIT. This information must be included on an invoice.

By law, all invoices and related documents must be stored for a period of at least eight years, and in some situations they must be stored for ten years. They must also be stored in a manner that makes them easily accessible to relevant parties, including the tax authorities.

In Bolivia, the standard rate of value-added tax (VAT) is 13%. VAT is applied to the likes of sales of goods, provision of services and imports of goods. Exports are exempt from VAT.

An infogrpahic provisding a snapshot of the market in Bolivia, where you may want to understand invoicing requirements for a foreign company
A snapshot of the market in Bolivia

Invoicing requirements for a foreign company in Bolivia: electronic invoicing

Currently, Bolivia operates an optional electronic invoicing system, known as its virtual invoicing system, or SFV. This system has been reintroduced after being curtailed prior to the global pandemic sweeping the globe in early 2020. 

While electronic invoicing remains optional, it is widely expected to be made compulsory.  One of the key advantages of electronic invoicing is the ease with which you can store them, guaranteeing compliance with the law on keeping invoices.

In order to issue electronic invoices, you must apply for a permit, as well as use designated software endorsed by the national tax authority.

Biz Latin Hub can assist you doing business in Bolivia

At Biz Latin Hub, our team of corporate support experts has the experience and expertise to help you deal with invoicing requirements for a foreign company in Bolivia, or any of the other 17 markets in Latin America and the Caribbean where we have teams in place. With our complete portfolio of back office solutions, including accounting & taxation, company formation, legal, recruitment, and visa processing services, we can be your single point of contact for entering and operating in the region. 

Reach out to us now for more information on how we can support your business.

Learn more about our team and expert authors.

Key services offered by BLH including legal services, accounting & taxation, hiring & PEO, due diligence, tax advisory, and visa processing
Key services offered by Biz Latin Hub

The information provided here within should not be construed as formal guidance or advice. Please consult a professional for your specific situation. Information provided is for informative purposes only and may not capture all pertinent laws, standards, and best practices. The regulatory landscape is continually evolving; information mentioned may be outdated and/or could undergo changes. The interpretations presented are not official. Some sections are based on the interpretations or views of relevant authorities, but we cannot ensure that these perspectives will be supported in all professional settings.
Accounting Team Bolivia

Accounting Team Bolivia

Accounting Team Bolivia is the Biz Latin Hub leading experts on doing business in Bolivia. The Team writes on the news, doing business, accounting, and changing regulations. The team are experts on auditing, local taxation, international taxation, payroll processing, payroll compliance, IFRS and financial advisory services. Read more about them here. You can contact Accounting Team Bolivia via our "contact us page".

Receive the latest news and advice about expanding your business globally
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest business news and advice about entity formation, legal entity compliance, accounting, back office and fiscal requirements. Receive the latest news and advice about expanding your business globally.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.