FAQ
Is one free to decide whether to use the orange and red payment slips or the QR-bill for invoicing?
From 1st October 2022 only the QR-bill can be used.
Can the QR-bill be freely shaped?
No, the "Swiss Implementation Guidelines QR-bill" are to be observed. Failure to comply with the standards can result in QR-bills being rejected and payments not being processed on time.
What utilization possibilities are available?
The following types can be used:
- QR-bill with QR IBAN and QR reference
- QR-bill with IBAN and creditor reference (ISO 11649)
- QR-bill with IBAN without reference
The difference lies in the use of IBAN and references.
Is a perforation mandatory on a QR-bill between the invoice and the payment part as well as between the payment part and the receipt?
Perforation of the payment part is mandatory if the QR-bill is to be printed out and mailed. All market participants must follow the set standard and always use perforated paper for printed QR-bills. The payment part and receipt must always be separated from the invoice if the QR-bill is paid at the counter or with a physical payment order. QR-bills that are not made out on perforated paper must be cut off by the customer. An incorrect separation of the payment part and receipt can lead to problems during processing at the post office counter or with physical payment orders.
Details on the design of the QR-bill can be found in the Style Guide QR-bill.
Can the QR-bill be used for foreign payments?
Two cases must be distinguished here:
- Payments from Switzerland to other countries: This is only possible if the invoice issuer offers a bank account in Switzerland or Liechtenstein.
- Payments from abroad to Switzerland: We cannot influence whether banks abroad support the QR-bill. There may be corresponding offers for Swiss customers in regions close to the border.
We recommend using the QR-bill with Creditor Reference and IBAN for such payments.
Which currencies can be used?
Swiss francs and euro. The currency code CHF or EUR must be printed on the QR-bill.
Can an invoice issuer who as a service provider (e.g. insurance company, health insurance scheme) sends a copy of the settlement to its insured person fill in the amount field with XXX?
If payment does not have to be made, the QR-bill version "DO NOT USE FOR PAYMENT" should be used with the amount of 0.00. Further information can be found in the "Swiss Implementation Guidelines for the QR-bill", Chapter 4.4
What values can be used in the "reference" field?
Permitted in the "Reference" field are the 27-digit QR reference (today the ISR reference number) or the up to 25-digit Creditor Reference according to the ISO 11649 standard. The QR-IBAN is used with the QR reference and the IBAN with the Creditor Reference.
How and where can messages be placed?
Unstructured information can be entered in the field provided for this purpose to indicate a payment purpose or for additional textual information.
A message can be entered if a reference number is used.
The information used there must be printed in block letters on the QR-bill. Handwritten additions by the invoice recipient or issuer are not permitted. If technically possible, these data can be entered manually when entering the payment in e-banking.
Can additional elements like advertising be placed on the QR-bill?
The use of the payment part and the receipt as an advertising medium or advertising material is excluded. Printing on the back side is not permitted.
In the case of a self-printed QR-bill, is there an obligation to examine and approve it by a financial institution?
There is no obligation for the invoice issuer. The QR-bill will only be examined if this is explicitly requested by the financial institution.
The following tools are available to software developers and invoice issuers for self-control purposes:
- grid sheet in "Style Guide QR-bill"
- SIX QR-bill Validation Portal
The Swiss QR Code printed in a faulty manner may lead to disruptions when processed. Such payment parts can be rejected.
Please contact your bank if you require further assistance in this regard. SIX does not offer any quality checks.
What requirements must be met for the introduction of the QR-bill?
- Migration of all the financial institution's payment traffic applications and their customers to the new ISO 20022 message standard according to the Swiss recommendations which contains the QR-bill
- Availability of suitable infrastructure for billers and payers, such as printers and scanners that can print and read QR codes.
- Provision of the channels for the payment traffic.
- Migration of electronic reportings to camt.
Is it possible to create QR-bills with the creditor’s preprinted details, but without yet knowing the details of the intended payers?
The beneficiary may obtain physical payment parts with Swiss QR Code without details of the amount and debtor from his house bank (depending on the bank's product offer) or from a printing company or create them himself. These fields can be subsequently completed in handwriting by the debtor on the payment part and receipt. It should be noted that no other such handwritten additions are permitted. In this case, depending on the order channel, additional costs may be incurred by the beneficiary after payment by the debtor.
Is there any need for action when using accounts receivable systems?
- Check your accounts receivable master data today. If possible, make sure that the addresses are stored in a structured manner.
- Determine whether your invoicing solution supports the generation of QR-bill and plan the conversion time in the transition phase.
- Before changeover to QR-bill, make sure that your financial solution can process notifications with camt messages.
- If you use the ISR credit record type 3 for the electronic notification of incoming payments, you will automatically receive the camt.054 when converting to invoicing of QR-bills. If you do not use the ISR credit record type 3, please contact your bank consultant to obtain the camt.054 (or if required: camt.052/camt.053).