REF_CT_ABSENT: Contract reference missing
What it means
French e-invoicing reason REF_CT_ABSENT means a reference the contract requires to process the invoice is missing.
The usual cause
A reference such as the contract number (BT-12), the delivery note (BT-16), the buyer reference (BT-10), the invoiced object (BT-18), the project reference (BT-11) or the preceding invoice (BG-3) is missing; the lifecycle message should say which.
How to fix it
Add the reference named in the message and issue a corrected invoice.
Once the file is corrected, check it again for free: Check an e-invoice
The code as published
Référence contractuelle nécessaire pour le traitement de la facture manquante Read the official document . Source: Spécifications externes, Annexe 7, Règles de gestion, version 1.9 (spécifications externes 3.2), published by Direction générale des Finances publiques (DGFiP), read on 8 November 2026.
Look at your file
Check the invoice against the rules this portal applies: Check an e-invoice. Check an e-invoice
Other Chorus Pro and PPF codes
- COORD_BANC_ERR Wrong bank details
- CREANCIER_ERR Unknown or different creditor
- DEST_ERR Wrong recipient
- DOUBLE_FACT Duplicate invoice data
- CMD_EJ_ERR Wrong or missing order number
- FACT_NON_CONFORME Invoice does not match the order
- JUSTIF_ABS Supporting document missing or insufficient
- MONTANT_ERR Wrong invoice amount
- SE_ERR Wrong recipient department
- ST_CT_NON_DECLAR Subcontractor or co-contractor not declared
- TX_TVA_ERR Wrong VAT rate
- ROUTAGE_ERR Routing error
- CALCUL_ERR Calculation error
- NON_CONFORME Missing legally required information
- DEST_INC Unknown recipient
- ADR_ERR Electronic invoicing address wrong
- SIRET_ERR SIRET wrong or missing
- CODE_ROUTAGE_ERR Routing code wrong or missing
- REF_ERR Wrong reference
- PU_ERR Wrong unit prices
- REM_ERR Wrong discount
- QTE_ERR Wrong quantity invoiced
- ART_ERR Wrong item invoiced
- MODPAI_ERR Wrong payment terms
- DOUBLON Duplicate invoice
- MONTANTTOTAL_ERR Wrong total amount
- ERREUR_DONNEE_EJ Error in the commitment data
- EJ_ERR Commitment number wrong or does not exist