CFDI receiving invoices guide

This guide uses the SW Sapien app, which is not available by default. Contact us if you are interested in using it.

Introduction

The SAT (Servicio de Administración Tributaria) provides mechanisms for bulk downloading CFDI (Comprobante Fiscal Digital por Internet) documents, both issued and received. Importing these documents into Invopop lets you convert them to GOBL format and take advantage of processing capabilities such as accounts payable workflows, PDF generation, and integrations with external systems. This guide walks you through configuring your Invopop workspace to automatically import received invoices from SAT on a recurring schedule. The process uses three apps working together:

Cron: Schedules the import workflow to run automatically at a regular interval (e.g., daily).
SW Sapien: Downloads CFDIs in bulk from SAT through SW Sapien’s Efisco service, a trusted third-party provider that handles SAT authentication.
SAT Mexico: Converts CFDI XML documents to GOBL format.

The SW Sapien app also supports importing issued invoices. See the SW Sapien app documentation for configuration details.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:

An Invopop workspace. See the quickstart guide if you need to create one.
An SW Sapien Efisco account with API credentials. Visit sw.com.mx to create an account and obtain your API token.
The RFC (Registro Federal de Contribuyentes) of the entity whose received invoices you want to import.
The entity’s e.firma (FIEL) certificate. This digital certificate issued by SAT is required to authorize bulk CFDI downloads on behalf of the entity.

How it works

The import process follows three main stages:

Scheduling: The Cron app creates a job for the import workflow at each configured interval, passing the time window (from and upto) to process.
Downloading: Each import job runs the SW Sapien app to request CFDIs from SAT via Efisco for the given time window. Once the download is ready, it uploads each CFDI file and creates a conversion job.
Converting: Each conversion job runs the SAT Mexico app’s import action to convert the CFDI XML into GOBL format.

Setup

Configure your Invopop workspace for receiving CFDI imports by following these steps in the Invopop Console:

Connect the SAT Mexico app

Navigate to Configuration → Apps, locate SAT Mexico in the app discovery list, and click Connect.

If you already use the SAT Mexico app for issuing invoices, you can skip this step. The same app handles both sending and importing.

Connect the SW Sapien app

In the same Apps section, locate SW Sapien and click Connect. The app will move to the “Enabled Apps” section.Next, click Configure and enter your SW Sapien API credentials:

API Token: Your SW Sapien Efisco API token.

Connect the Cron app

Still in the Apps section, locate Cron and click Connect. No additional configuration is needed at this stage.

Set up the CFDI Conversion Workflow

This workflow converts individual CFDI documents to GOBL format. It will be triggered automatically for each downloaded CFDI.

Template
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SAT convert CFDI workflow

Convert a CFDI document to GOBL format.

Copy and paste into a new Empty Invoice workflow code view.

Example SAT convert CFDI workflow

{
  "name": "SAT convert CFDI",
  "description": "Convert a CFDI document to GOBL format",
  "schema": "bill/invoice",
  "steps": [
    {
      "id": "20361430-0cf2-11f1-a7d2-97381b60bbb5",
      "name": "Import CFDI document",
      "provider": "sat-mx.import",
    },
    {
      "id": "2b91aca0-0409-11f1-9d9e-5d9a4ee51d56",
      "name": "Add Signature",
      "provider": "silo.close"
    },
    {
      "id": "4b288b30-0402-11f1-9d9e-5d9a4ee51d56",
      "name": "Set Silo Entry State",
      "provider": "silo.state",
      "summary": "Set state to `received`{.state .received}",
      "config": {
        "state": "received"
      }
    }
  ],
  "rescue": [
    {
      "id": "e5f6a7b0-1a2b-11f0-b001-4a5b6c7d8e9f",
      "name": "Set Silo Entry State",
      "provider": "silo.state",
      "summary": "Set state to `error`{.state .error}",
      "config": {
        "state": "error"
      }
    }
  ]
}

Before starting, review the workflows guide to understand the general setup process.In Console, create a new workflow and choose Empty Invoice workflow as the base. Then name it something descriptive like “SAT Convert CFDI”.The workflow needs these steps:

Import CFDI document - Uses the SAT Mexico app to convert the CFDI XML to GOBL format.
Add Signature - Signs the envelope to prevent further modifications.
Set State - To “received”.

In the Error Handling section, add a Set State step and select Error.

You can extend the conversion workflow with additional steps to suit your needs, such as generating a PDF, sending a webhook notification, forwarding the invoice by email, or storing a copy in Google Drive.

Remember the name you give this workflow. You will need to select it by name when configuring the import workflow in the next step.

Set up the CFDI Import Workflow

This workflow uses the SW Sapien app to download CFDIs from SAT and dispatch conversion jobs for each one. It will be executed periodically by the Cron app.

Template
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SW Sapien import CFDIs workflow

Download CFDIs from SAT via SW Sapien and dispatch conversion jobs.

After adding the template, open the Bulk Import CFDIs via Efisco (Mexico) step and set the Import Workflow field to the CFDI Conversion Workflow created in the previous step.

Copy and paste into a new Empty Party workflow code view.

Example SW Sapien import CFDIs workflow

{
  "name": "SW Sapien import CFDIs",
  "description": "Download CFDIs from SAT via SW Sapien's Efisco service and dispatch conversion jobs",
  "schema": "org/party",
  "steps": [
    {
      "id": "f6a7b8c0-2b3c-11f0-c002-5b6c7d8e9f0a",
      "name": "Import CFDIs from Efisco",
      "provider": "sw-sapien.efisco.import",
      "summary": "Download received CFDIs and create conversion jobs",
      "config": {
        "document_type": "received",
        "workflow_id": ""
      }
    }
  ],
  "rescue": [
    {
      "id": "a7b8c9d0-2b3c-11f0-c002-5b6c7d8e9f0a",
      "name": "Set State",
      "provider": "silo.state",
      "summary": "Set state to `error`{.state .error}",
      "config": {
        "state": "error"
      }
    }
  ]
}

After saving, open the Bulk Import CFDIs via Efisco (Mexico) step and set the Import Workflow field to the CFDI Conversion Workflow created in the previous step.

Before starting, review the workflows guide to understand the general setup process.In Console, create a new workflow and choose Empty Party workflow as the base. Then name it something descriptive like “SW Sapien Import CFDIs”.The workflow needs a single step:

Bulk Import CFDIs via Efisco (Mexico) - Configure with:
- Document Type: Select Received to import invoices received by the party.
- Import Workflow: Select the CFDI Conversion Workflow created in the previous step.

In the Error Handling section, add a Set State step and select Error.

Remember the name you give this workflow. You will need to select it by name when configuring the subscription workflow in the next step.

Set up the Party Subscription Workflow

This workflow subscribes a party to periodic CFDI imports using the Cron app. Run it once per party you want to receive invoices for.

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Subscribe party to CFDI import workflow

Subscribe a party to daily CFDI bulk imports.

After adding the template, open the Subscribe to Periodic Import step and set the Workflow field to the CFDI Import Workflow created in the previous step.

Copy and paste into a new Empty Party workflow code view.

Example subscribe party to CFDI import workflow

{
  "name": "Subscribe party to CFDI import",
  "description": "Subscribe a party to periodic CFDI bulk import using the Cron app",
  "schema": "org/party",
  "steps": [
    {
      "id": "b8c9d0e0-3c4d-11f0-d003-6c7d8e9f0a1b",
      "name": "Subscribe to Periodic Import",
      "provider": "cron.subscribe",
      "summary": "Daily CFDI import",
      "config": {
        "workflow_id": "",
        "interval": "daily"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "c9d0e1f0-3c4d-11f0-d003-6c7d8e9f0a1b",
      "name": "Set State",
      "provider": "silo.state",
      "summary": "Set state to `registered`{.state .registered}",
      "config": {
        "state": "registered"
      }
    }
  ],
  "rescue": [
    {
      "id": "d0e1f2a0-3c4d-11f0-d003-6c7d8e9f0a1b",
      "name": "Set State",
      "provider": "silo.state",
      "summary": "Set state to `error`{.state .error}",
      "config": {
        "state": "error"
      }
    }
  ]
}

After saving, open the Subscribe to Periodic Import step and set the Workflow field to the CFDI Import Workflow created in the previous step.

Before starting, review the workflows guide to understand the general setup process.In Console, create a new workflow and choose Empty Party workflow as the base. Then name it something descriptive like “Subscribe to CFDI Import”.The workflow needs these steps:

Subscribe to Periodic Import - Uses the Cron app. Configure with:
- Workflow: Select the CFDI Import Workflow created in the previous step.
- Interval: Select the desired frequency (for example, daily).
Set State - To “registered”.

In the Error Handling section, add a Set State step and select Error.

Set up the Party Registration Workflow

This workflow registers a party with SW Sapien’s Efisco service by generating a link where the party’s e.firma (FIEL) certificate can be uploaded. Run it once per party before subscribing them to periodic imports.

Template
Code
Build from scratch

SW Sapien register party workflow

Copy and paste into a new Empty Party workflow code view.

Example SW Sapien register party workflow

{
  "name": "SW Sapien register party",
  "description": "Register a party with SW Sapien's Efisco service to enable CFDI downloads",
  "schema": "org/party",
  "steps": [
    {
      "id": "f2a3b4c0-4d5e-11f0-e004-7d8e9f0a1b2c",
      "name": "Set State",
      "provider": "silo.state",
      "summary": "Set state to `processing`{.state .processing}",
      "config": {
        "state": "processing"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "e1f2a3b0-4d5e-11f0-e004-7d8e9f0a1b2c",
      "name": "Register Efisco Party",
      "provider": "sw-sapien.efisco.register",
      "summary": "Register party with Efisco service"
    }
  ],
  "rescue": [
    {
      "id": "a3b4c5d0-4d5e-11f0-e004-7d8e9f0a1b2c",
      "name": "Set State",
      "provider": "silo.state",
      "summary": "Set state to `error`{.state .error}",
      "config": {
        "state": "error"
      }
    }
  ]
}

Set State - To “processing”.
Register Efisco Party - Initiates the registration of the party with SW Sapien’s Efisco service.

In the Error Handling section, add a Set State step and select Error.

Running

With all workflows in place, you can now register parties and start receiving invoices. For each entity whose invoices you want to import, you need to register them with SW Sapien’s Efisco service and then subscribe them to periodic imports.

Register a receiving party

Create the party

In the left sidebar, go to the Parties section and click Suppliers.Click +New Supplier and enter the party’s data. At a minimum, provide:

Name of the entity
RFC (Registro Federal de Contribuyentes)

Click Build, verify there are no errors, then click Save.

Run the Registration Workflow

With the party entry selected, click Select Workflow and execute the SW Sapien Register Party workflow.After it completes, the party’s state will change to Processing and a registration link will appear in the Meta tab of the entry.

Complete the eFirma upload

Open the Details window and click on Meta. You will see a Registration Link with a URL.

You can access the registration link via the API by fetching the silo entry and locating the meta entry where the key is registration-link.

Visit that URL to access the registration form. Fill in the entity’s RFC and upload the e.firma (FIEL) certificate files (.cer and .key) along with the private key password.

This form can be shared directly with the entity if required.

When you click Save, the certificate details are securely sent to SW Sapien’s Efisco service, which will use them to authenticate bulk CFDI download requests from SAT on behalf of the entity.

You can also upload the e.firma certificate programmatically using the Upload e.firma certificate API endpoint. This is useful for automating onboarding or integrating the registration process into your own application.

Subscribe the party to imports

Once the e.firma has been uploaded, execute the Subscribe to CFDI Import workflow on the same party entry.Once the workflow completes successfully, the party’s state will change to Registered and the Cron app will begin scheduling import jobs at the configured interval.

Monitor imported invoices

Once the subscription is active, the Cron app will automatically create an import job at each configured interval (for example, daily). Here is what happens during each cycle:

Cron creates an import job with a time window (from and upto) corresponding to the scheduled interval. You can see these jobs as they are created in the Workflows → History section of the Console.
The import step shifts the window 72 hours into the past. This is because SAT allows invoices to be issued with a date up to 72 hours before the current time. By shifting the window, the import ensures it only downloads consolidated data where all invoices for that period have been finalized.

For example, if Cron schedules a job on March 10 covering March 9–10, the actual download request to SAT will cover March 6–7. This three-day lag guarantees completeness.

The import job enters a Queued state while the SW Sapien app requests the CFDIs from SAT via Efisco. This is an asynchronous process: SAT may take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours (and in exceptional cases, up to six days) to make the download available. The job remains queued until the data is ready.
Once the download completes, the import step retrieves the CFDIs and dispatches a separate conversion job for each one. These conversion jobs will also appear in Workflows → History.
Each conversion job runs the CFDI Conversion Workflow, which converts the CFDI XML to GOBL format, signs the envelope, and marks the document with the state Received. The resulting silo entries will appear in the Invoices section of the Console.

If errors occur during any stage, the rescue steps in the corresponding workflow will set the document state to Error, allowing you to identify and resolve issues through the Console or API.

Run the CFDI import manually

For testing purposes, you can trigger the CFDI Import Workflow manually instead of waiting for the Cron app to execute it on schedule.

Open the workflow

Navigate to the Workflows section in the Console and locate the CFDI Import Workflow you created during setup. Click on it to open its details.

Run the workflow

Click the Run button and configure the execution:

Document: Enter the party entry whose RFC you want to import invoices for.
Arguments: Add the following two parameters:
- from: The start of the time window in ISO 8601 format, for example 2025-03-01T00:00:00Z.
- upto: The end of the time window in ISO 8601 format, for example 2025-03-02T00:00:00Z.

The import step applies the 72-hour shift described above. For example, if you set from and upto to cover March 9–10, the actual download request to SAT will cover March 6–7.

Unsubscribe a party

To stop importing invoices for a specific party, create a workflow with the Cron Unsubscribe action and execute it on the party’s entry. This removes the subscription and no further import jobs will be scheduled.

🇲🇽 Invopop resources for Mexico


Compliance	Invoicing compliance in Mexico Compliance timeline
Apps	SAT Mexico SW Sapien Cron
Guides	Issuing invoices Receiving invoices
FAQ	Mexico FAQ
GOBL	Mexico Tax Regime Mexican SAT CFDI Addon
GitHub	gobl.cfdi

Mexico FAQ

Find answers to frequently asked questions about invoicing in Mexico →

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Networks

Countries

Set-up

GOBL

Apps

API

Features

CFDI receiving invoices guide

Introduction

Prerequisites

How it works

Setup

SAT convert CFDI workflow

SW Sapien import CFDIs workflow

Subscribe party to CFDI import workflow

SW Sapien register party workflow

Running

Register a receiving party

Monitor imported invoices

Run the CFDI import manually

Unsubscribe a party

Mexico FAQ

Participate in our community

Networks

Countries

Set-up

GOBL

Apps

API

Features

​Introduction

​Prerequisites

​How it works

​Setup

SAT convert CFDI workflow

SW Sapien import CFDIs workflow

Subscribe party to CFDI import workflow

SW Sapien register party workflow

​Running

​Register a receiving party

​Monitor imported invoices

​Run the CFDI import manually

​Unsubscribe a party

Mexico FAQ

Participate in our community

Introduction

Prerequisites

How it works

Setup

Running

Register a receiving party

Monitor imported invoices

Run the CFDI import manually

Unsubscribe a party