ELECTRONIC commerce project FleetWeb has received formal approval from HM Customs & Excise to transmit invoices over the Internet. FleetWeb received 'temporary approval' to invoice over the Internet last summer, with Customs wanting to check the system met normal VAT record-keeping requirements before making any further commitment.

A new statement from Customs said it had: 'Accepted the use of the (Internet-based) FleetWeb system for the exchange of tax invoices between UK VAT-registered trading partners, without the need for their production in paper.'

This approval is key to the future of Internet trading, and paves the way for an increase in FleetWeb's business volumes. Trial participants BCH Vehicle Management and Autoglass have been using FleetWeb to trade since September and 11 large fleet operators are now ready to come on-line.