Zambia · ZRA Smart Invoice

ZRA Smart Invoice, built into your POS and accounting

Every sale is submitted to the Zambia Revenue Authority as it completes, and the receipt carries the ZRA receipt number, SDC ID and QR code. If ZRA is slow to answer, the sale still completes and PeppyBooks finishes the submission in the background.

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One sale, submitted as it completes
Every sale
  1. Sale completed
  2. Posted to your books
  3. Submitted to ZRA
  4. Receipt printed
If ZRA is slow to answer
  1. Receipt prints as pending
  2. Retried in the background
  3. Smart Invoice completed
On every submitted receipt
  • ZRA receipt number
  • SDC ID
  • Signature and QR code
The problem

Smart Invoice should not slow down your business

Compliance costs time when it lives outside the system you bill from.

  1. Sales typed twice

    Re-entering invoices into a separate tool or portal costs time and invites mistakes.

  2. Two records that disagree

    A standalone fiscal tool never quite matches the books, and someone reconciles them at month end.

  3. Queues when the connection is slow

    A counter that waits for the tax authority to answer is a counter that loses customers.

  4. Receipts buyers cannot use

    Business customers need a valid Smart Invoice receipt to claim their input VAT.

How it works

What happens when you complete a sale

Smart Invoice runs inside the normal sale. There is no second screen, no portal and no device to manage at the counter.

Every sale

  1. Sale completed

    The cashier takes payment as usual, at the counter or from the office.

    • Stock
    • Ledger
    • VAT

  2. Submitted to ZRA

    PeppyBooks sends the posted sale to ZRA Smart Invoice, with item registration and tax categories handled for you.

    • ZRA Smart Invoice

  3. Receipt printed

    The receipt carries the ZRA receipt number, SDC ID, signature and a QR code, on thermal and A4 formats.

    • Receipt number
    • QR code

When ZRA does not answer in time

  1. The sale is never held

    The receipt prints straight away, marked as pending, and the customer leaves with their goods.

    • No waiting at the counter

  2. Retried automatically

    PeppyBooks keeps retrying in the background, and never submits the same invoice twice.

    • Background retry

  3. Smart Invoice completed

    The ZRA details appear on the order. A manager can also retry by hand from the order screen.

    • ZRA Smart Invoice
Capabilities

Smart Invoice without a separate system

  • Submitted as each sale completes

    No batching at the end of the day and nothing to upload by hand.

  • ZRA details on the receipt

    ZRA receipt number, SDC ID, signature and QR code, printed with the sale.

  • The counter never waits

    A slow or failed answer from ZRA marks the receipt pending instead of holding the sale.

  • Automatic and manual retry

    Background retry until ZRA accepts the invoice, plus a retry button on the order.

  • Items and tax categories handled

    Products are registered and mapped to the right tax category as they are sold.

  • The same record as your books

    The submitted sale is the posted invoice, with stock and VAT already updated.

  • Test in the sandbox first

    Run real sales against ZRA’s sandbox, then switch the company to production.

  • Switched on per company

    Turn Smart Invoice on in POS settings for each Zambian company you run.

  • POS and back-office invoices

    Counter sales and sales invoices raised in PeppyBooks accounting both go to ZRA.

Getting started

From sign-up to your first Smart Invoice

  1. Your ZRA details

    Your TPIN and branch, as registered with ZRA.

  2. Connect to ZRA

    Our team connects your company to ZRA, in the sandbox first.

  3. Switch it on

    Turn on ZRA Smart Invoice in POS settings.

  4. Ring a test sale

    Check the receipt, then move to production.

The difference

Billing and compliance in one system

CapabilityPeppyBooksA separate fiscal tool
Each sale Submitted to ZRA as it completes Entered or uploaded again
Your books The submitted sale is the posted invoice Matched against the books later
A slow connection The sale completes and is submitted when ZRA answers Depends on the tool
The receipt ZRA receipt number, SDC ID and QR printed with the sale Printed from the fiscal tool
Stock and VAT Updated by the same sale Kept in another system
About Smart Invoice

What ZRA Smart Invoice is

Smart Invoice is the Zambia Revenue Authority’s electronic invoicing system. Sales are reported to ZRA as they happen, and each invoice carries the details ZRA issues for it. PeppyBooks connects to it from your POS and accounting. Requirements and deadlines are set by ZRA, so check zra.org.zm for the rules that apply to your business.

Who it is for

Built for VAT-registered businesses in Zambia

  • Retail shops and supermarkets
  • Pharmacies
  • Hardware and building materials
  • Wholesalers and distributors
  • Restaurants and cafés
  • Multi-branch businesses
Assisted onboarding

Need help switching?

For eligible customers, our team can help you import products, customers and opening data so you can get started faster.

Talk to us
Why businesses choose PeppyBooks

Compliance that keeps up with your counter.

  • Cloud-basedSign in from any browser. Nothing to install at the counter.
  • Multi-userRoles and permissions for owners, managers and cashiers.
  • Multi-location readyAdd outlets, registers and shifts as you grow.
  • Connected accounting and inventoryOne record from the sale to the ledger.
  • Built for growing SMBsStart on one plan and move up when you need more.
  • 14-day free trialThe full product, with sample data. No credit card.
FAQ

Common questions

Short, factual answers before you start.

Is PeppyBooks connected to ZRA Smart Invoice?

Yes. When a sale is completed and posted, PeppyBooks submits it to ZRA Smart Invoice and prints the ZRA receipt number, SDC ID and QR code on the receipt.

Do I need a fiscal device at the counter?

No. Smart Invoice is software-based, and PeppyBooks submits sales to ZRA directly, so there is no fiscal device to install or manage at the counter.

What happens if ZRA or the internet is slow?

The sale is never held. The receipt prints marked as pending, and PeppyBooks keeps retrying in the background until ZRA accepts the invoice. A manager can also retry by hand from the order.

Can I test it before going live?

Yes. Your company can run against ZRA’s sandbox first, so you can check real receipts before switching to production.

Are invoices raised in the office submitted too?

Yes. Counter sales and sales invoices raised in PeppyBooks accounting are both submitted to ZRA Smart Invoice.

Is there local support in Zambia?

Yes. Call +260 97 9644669 or email sales@peppybooks.com, and our team will help you connect your company to ZRA.

Bill, comply and keep your books in one system

Start for free, or talk to us about connecting your company to ZRA Smart Invoice.

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