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Brazil NF-e Field Reference (Model 55)

Brazil's NF-e is an XML invoice authorized by the state tax authority before goods can move. Localization projects live or die on field mapping, so this table lists the main tags, what they mean and what the ERP has to supply.

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XML tag	Group	Meaning	Values and ERP note
ide/cUF	Identification	IBGE code of the issuer state	Two digits; first part of the access key
ide/natOp	Identification	Nature of the operation	Free text such as sale or return; ERP usually maps from the operation type
ide/mod	Identification	Fiscal document model	55 for NF-e, 65 for NFC-e
ide/serie	Identification	Document series	Part of the numbering sequence; one sequence per series and issuer
ide/nNF	Identification	Invoice number	Sequential per series; gaps must be handled by number inutilization
ide/dhEmi	Identification	Issue date and time with UTC offset	Must be within the allowed window of the authorization time
ide/tpNF	Identification	Operation type	0 inbound (entrada), 1 outbound (saida)
ide/idDest	Identification	Destination of the operation	1 internal, 2 interstate, 3 foreign; drives CFOP first digit
ide/tpEmis	Identification	Issuance type	1 normal; other values are contingency modes
ide/finNFe	Identification	Invoice purpose	1 normal, 2 complementary, 3 adjustment, 4 return
ide/indFinal	Identification	Final consumer indicator	0 normal, 1 final consumer; affects tax treatment
ide/indPres	Identification	Buyer presence indicator	Required; 0 not applicable, 1 in person, 2 internet, and others
ide/chNFe (infNFe Id)	Identification	Access key (chave de acesso)	44 digits: state, year-month, issuer CNPJ, model, series, number, issuance type, numeric code, check digit
emit/CNPJ	Issuer	Issuer tax ID	14 digits; CPF used instead for individuals
emit/IE	Issuer	State registration	Issuer's state tax registration number
emit/CRT	Issuer	Tax regime code	1 Simples Nacional, 2 Simples excess of sublimit, 3 normal regime
dest/CNPJ or CPF	Recipient	Recipient tax ID	CNPJ for companies, CPF for individuals, ID for foreigners
dest/indIEDest	Recipient	State registration indicator of the recipient	1 taxpayer, 2 exempt, 9 non-taxpayer; changes ICMS rules
dest/enderDest	Recipient	Recipient address	City uses the IBGE municipality code
det/@nItem	Item	Item sequence	1 to 990 lines per invoice
det/prod/cProd	Item	Product code	Issuer's internal code
det/prod/xProd	Item	Product description	Text description on the invoice
det/prod/NCM	Item	Mercosur common nomenclature	8 digits; drives IPI and other tax rules
det/prod/CFOP	Item	Fiscal operation code	4 digits; first digit 5 internal, 6 interstate, 7 foreign sales
det/prod/uCom	Item	Commercial unit	Unit string such as UN, KG
det/prod/qCom	Item	Commercial quantity	Up to 4 decimals
det/prod/vUnCom	Item	Commercial unit value	Up to 10 decimals
det/prod/vProd	Item	Gross item value	Quantity times unit value, rounded as specified
det/imposto/ICMS	Taxes	State value-added tax group	CST or CSOSN code selects the sub-group; depends on CRT
det/imposto/IPI	Taxes	Federal excise on industrial products	Applies mainly to manufacturers and importers
det/imposto/PIS	Taxes	Federal social contribution	CST selects the calculation form
det/imposto/COFINS	Taxes	Federal social contribution	Mirrors PIS structure with its own CST
total/ICMSTot/vBC	Totals	ICMS tax base total	Must equal sum of item bases
total/ICMSTot/vNF	Totals	Total invoice value	Validated against the sum of items, freight, insurance, other and taxes
transp/modFrete	Transport	Freight mode	0 sender pays, 1 recipient pays, 2 third party, 9 no freight
cobr/dup	Billing	Installments	Due dates and values for the receivable
pag/detPag/tPag	Payment	Payment means	Coded payment method; required in the current layout
infAdic/infCpl	Additional information	Complementary information	Free text used for legal references and notes
protNFe/infProt/nProt	Authorization	Authorization protocol number	Returned by the tax authority (SEFAZ) when the invoice is authorized

Layout versions change through technical notes (notas tecnicas) published by the tax authority. This is a working reference for localization and integration, not the official schema. Confirm against the current layout manual before coding.

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How to use the table

Use the search box to find a tag or a concept, for example CFOP, CRT or access key. Each row gives the group in the XML, the meaning, and a note on the values or the ERP implication. Export the table to Excel or CSV to build a field mapping sheet between your ERP document model and the NF-e layout. Add columns for your source table and field, owner, and test result.

The access key and numbering

The 44 digit chave de acesso encodes the state, year and month of issue, the issuer CNPJ, the model, series, number, issuance type, a numeric code and a check digit. It is the unique identifier used for lookups, cancellations and events. Because numbers must be sequential per series, any number skipped through a failed or abandoned document has to be formally inutilized, which is a process step to build into the ERP.

Taxes make the project hard

A Brazilian invoice carries several tax groups per line: ICMS, IPI, PIS and COFINS, with ICMS-ST and other state specifics layered on top. The rules depend on the item NCM, the CFOP, the origin and destination states, and the issuer's regime (CRT). Most ERPs use a tax determination engine or a localization add-on for this; the NF-e layout is only the container for its result.

CFOP and NCM must be on the item master or determined
CST or CSOSN depends on the issuer regime
Interstate rates and ICMS-ST depend on the state pair
Totals must reconcile to the cent with the item values

Common mistakes

Teams copy a sample XML and parameterize it, then find that edge cases such as returns, complementary invoices, exports and transfers use different CFOP and purpose codes. Plan scenarios up front and test each one in the authority's homologation environment. Also plan the events: cancellation, correction letters and manifestation of the recipient are separate messages with their own rules and time windows.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does NF-e model 55 mean?

Model 55 is the electronic invoice used for business to business sales and most goods movements. Model 65 (NFC-e) is the consumer retail version. The model number is a field in the identification group and part of the access key.

How long is the NF-e access key?

It has 44 digits. They encode the state, year and month, issuer CNPJ, model, series, number, issuance type, a numeric code and a check digit, so it can be validated without contacting the authority.

Is this the official layout?

No. It is a practical summary of main fields. The official manual and the technical notes from the tax authority define the exact schema, field lengths and validation rules, and they change over time.

Do I need a local partner?

Most global ERPs need either native localization or a certified Brazilian add-on for tax determination, SPED reporting and NF-e transmission. The decision depends on your ERP and volume; check your vendor's localization support first.

If you are integrating a global ERP with Brazilian NF-e through a local partner, we can help map fields and reconcile authorized invoices back to ERP documents.

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