Paperilasku

Paperilasku, or paper invoice, is a traditional invoicing method in which a bill is generated on paper and sent to the customer by postal mail or hand delivery. It coexists with electronic invoicing and is used when recipients require or prefer a physical document.

A typical paper invoice includes the seller and buyer information, an invoice number, issue date, a description of goods or services, quantity and unit price, VAT rate and amount, subtotals and the total due, a due date, and payment instructions such as bank details and a payment reference. In Finland, the invoice may also feature a viitenumero, a reference number used to help match payments with the correct invoice.

Delivery and processing: after printing, the invoice is mailed to the recipient. The recipient verifies the items and pays by bank transfer or another accepted method. The payer’s bank uses the reference to reconcile the payment with the correct invoice. Paper invoicing typically involves higher costs and longer processing times compared with electronic methods, and there is a greater risk of delays or loss in transit.

Regulatory and market context: European and national frameworks encourage electronic invoicing, especially for public sector procurement, to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Nevertheless, paper invoices remain in use in cases where digital systems are unavailable or where customers prefer a physical document. Many organizations are gradually transitioning to electronic invoicing while maintaining paper options for certain customers.

See also: e-invoicing, electronic invoicing, VAT invoice.