Overview of JD Invoice System Architecture and Business Processes

Invoices, as primary documents for production and operation, are a crucial part of JD's transaction flow; the invoice system provides services for issuing invoices based on order data, primarily offering electronic ordinary invoices and value-added tax special invoices, with paper invoices phased out since May 2018.

System Business

The invoice system comprises four business lines: main site, order invoicing, key accounts, and non-order invoicing.

Invoice system business mind map

Main Site

Main‑site invoices include settlement‑page invoices, VAT qualification, invoice viewing, and self‑service invoicing.

Settlement‑page invoices provide invoice selection during checkout based on order data and predefined rules.

VAT qualification allows users to maintain qualification information in their personal center for future VAT invoicing.

Invoice viewing displays invoice data on detail pages and offers entry points for viewing or re‑issuing invoices from order lists.

Self‑service invoicing enables both customer service and customers to submit requests for invoice replacement or re‑issuance.

Order Invoicing

Electronic invoices are divided into self‑operated and POP (platform‑operated) categories.

Self‑operated electronic invoices are automatically issued after order completion, with printing services for energy‑subsidy orders.

POP electronic invoices serve POP merchants and can be issued on behalf of merchants (代开) or directly by merchants (自开).

VAT invoice issuance occurs after order completion via ERP operations and integrates with the mailing platform for delivery.

Key Accounts

Key‑account invoicing features centralized invoicing, where multiple orders are consolidated into fewer invoices after order completion.

The blockchain‑based VAT module provides electronic VAT services for key accounts.

Non‑Order Invoicing

Non‑order invoicing covers all other invoicing scenarios, with data pushed from upstream systems (e.g., settlement, logistics) to generate electronic or VAT invoices.

System Architecture

The invoice system consists of three core modules: invoice data source, invoicing module, and core invoice data.

Invoice system module structure diagram

Invoice Data Source

This module provides the necessary data for order invoicing, consolidating order dimensions into a unified data store for downstream invoicing processes.

Invoicing Module

Electronic invoices are issued automatically via message‑driven workflows, with notifications sent to users and access through app, PC, or WeChat wallet.

VAT invoices are generated through a distributed task framework or manual ERP operations, exported to tax‑control devices, and mailed to users after integration with the mailing system.

The invoice template management system handles invoice splitting logic and parameter configuration to ensure accurate issuance under limit conditions.

Core Invoice Data

The real‑time invoice ledger synchronizes with the production system, offering multi‑dimensional queries and calculations for other systems.

The invoice monitoring system oversees expected versus actual invoicing amounts to prevent errors.

Invoicing Process

Forward Invoicing

After order placement, the invoice preparation system preprocesses order data, calculates discounts and fees, and generates invoice‑level data.

Upon order completion, electronic invoices follow a fully automated workflow, while VAT invoices require manual packaging and mailing.

Forward invoicing flowchart

Reverse Invoicing

Reverse invoicing handles refunds, price guarantees, and invoice re‑issuance scenarios.

When a refund occurs, the invoice preparation system records the refund, recalculates invoice data, and processes electronic invoices automatically; VAT invoices require the physical return of the original invoice for red‑lettering or re‑issuance.

Summary

The JD invoice system automates and streamlines tax management, helping reduce tax costs, mitigate compliance risks, and improve overall tax administration efficiency.