France's routing code: the address that makes or breaks e-invoice delivery

France's e-invoicing system requires a routing code to direct invoices to the correct recipient within an organisation. The code combines a company identifier (SIREN, SIRET, or custom suffix) with an approved platform ID. Without it, invoices are rejected or lost.

France’s centralised e-invoicing directory requires a routing code to guide invoices to the right destination. The code is formed from company identifiers and the approved platform chosen by the recipient. Senders must ensure their customer records match the directory data, or invoices will be rejected.

What is a routing code?

A routing code is the address that directs an e-invoice to the correct recipient and approved platform in France. It tells the sender’s approved platform where to deliver each invoice. Without a correct routing code, invoices are rejected or lost, blocking integration into the recipient’s systems and delaying payment.

The routing code is not the same as a bank routing number. A bank routing number has nine digits and identifies a financial institution. A routing code is an e-invoicing address that combines company and platform identifiers.

How the code is structured

The routing code format depends on the addressing levels the recipient has declared in France’s centralised directory. It combines:

An identifier for the recipient company (SIREN, SIRET, or custom suffix)
An identifier for the approved platform chosen by the recipient

For example: 123456789@sage-pf, where 123456789 is the SIREN and sage-pf is the platform.

Recipients can choose from four levels of addressing granularity:

SIREN (default): Routes to the main company structure. Example: 123456789@sage-pf
SIRET: Routes to a specific establishment, branch, or site. Example: 123456789_12345678900010@sage-pf
Service: Routes to a functional unit within a complex organisation. Example: 123456789_12345678900010_MAR10@sage-pf
Custom suffix: Routes to a personalised address plan. Example: 123456789_FRAISGENERAUX@sage-pf

The SIREN level is the default. If a recipient needs finer routing, they declare additional levels in the directory.

Where to find routing codes

Routing codes are listed in the centralised directory of France’s Public Invoicing Portal (Portail Public de Facturation, or PPF). The directory records all VAT-registered companies and public entities, along with their approved platforms and addressing levels.

The directory is searchable via Chorus Pro. Each VAT-registered entity has at least one directory entry at SIREN level. The approved platform the recipient has chosen is responsible for declaring the routing code or codes.

Without a declared approved platform, there is no routing code.

How to use the routing code

The sender is responsible for correct addressing. The sender’s approved platform uses the directory data to determine the routing rule. This means the sender must:

Assign the correct SIREN and/or SIRET to each customer and supplier in their records
Add finer addressing levels if the recipient has defined them

At the point of order, the sender must confirm the exact and complete identity of the buyer. If the sender’s records do not match the directory, the invoice will not reach the right destination.

The routing code is the foundation of e-invoice delivery in France. Without precision, payment is at risk.