---
title: "Platform Interfaces"
description: "To transfer the data of your ERP system to Lucanet VAT on the Lucanet CFO Solution Platform, the REST import API and the file import via SFTP are available."
source_url: https://support.lucanet.com/en/documentation/income-taxes/vat/platform-interfaces
language: en
last_updated: 2026-10-06
---
# Interfaces for Lucanet VAT on the Platform

## Overview of the Interfaces for VAT on the Platform

To transfer the data of your ERP system to Lucanet VAT (Value Added Tax) on the Lucanet CFO Solution Platform, the following two interfaces are available:

- [REST import API](https://support.lucanet.com/en/documentation/income-taxes/vat/platform-interfaces/rest-import-api.md): With the REST import API, your ERP system or middleware sends the data of the preliminary VAT return directly to Lucanet VAT.
- [File import via SFTP](https://support.lucanet.com/en/documentation/income-taxes/vat/platform-interfaces/file-import-sftp.md): With the file import via SFTP, you upload the report files of your ERP system to a dedicated storage area of your Lucanet environment, from which Lucanet VAT imports the files.

Both interfaces store the data in the Pre-Import of the respective company and period. From there, you transfer the data to the declaration in the [Import](https://support.lucanet.com/en/documentation/income-taxes/vat/value-added-tax/import-single-company.md) workspace.

With both interfaces, the platform never opens a connection into your network. Every exchange starts at your customer system.

## Differences Between the Interfaces for Lucanet VAT

The following table shows the differences between the two interfaces for VAT on the Lucanet CFO Solution Platform:

| Characteristic | REST import API | File import via SFTP |
|---|---|---|
| **Transport** | The customer system sends the data as an HTTPS POST in JSON format. | You upload report files via SFTP to the storage area of your Lucanet environment. |
| **Direction** | The customer system calls VAT. | VAT reads the files from the storage area. |
| **Authentication** | Every request carries the API token of a **Tax Administration** user. | The sign-in to the SFTP endpoint uses an SSH key pair. |
| **Trigger** | VAT stores the data in the Pre-Import immediately with the request. | The import in VAT triggers the processing, not the upload. |
| **Metadata** | The JSON header contains the company, the period, and the reporting country. | VAT recognizes the company, report, and period from the file name. |
| **Interface type in VAT** | VAT uses the **REST import data** interface type. | VAT uses the **Network drive** interface type. |
| **Network release** | You allow outbound connections via TCP 443. | You allow outbound connections via TCP 22. |
| **Typical use** | The API suits SAP and ERP systems with HTTP capability, middleware, and integration platforms. | The file import suits existing file export routes and companies that previously imported via a network drive. |