What it means
Every invoice must contain the VAT identifier of the seller's tax representative (BT-63) when the seller has a tax representative (BG-11). It is the tax representative's VAT number, with its country prefix, such as FR12345678901.
Why it matters
VAT law requires an invoice to identify both parties, and the recipient's software uses these details to match the invoice to a supplier or customer. An invoice that fails this rule is rejected as incomplete.
How to fix it
Enter the tax representative's VAT number in the tax representative section of your invoicing software. If you do not have a tax representative, remove that section altogether.
The rule as published
Each Seller tax representative party (BG-11) shall have a Seller tax representative VAT identifier (BT-63). Business terms: BG-11, BT-63
Where this rule applies
| Rule set | Version |
|---|---|
| EN 16931 (UBL) | 1.3.17 |
| EN 16931 (UBL credit note) | 1.3.17 |
| EN 16931 (CII) | 1.3.17 |
| XRechnung 3.0 (UBL) | 3.0.2 |
| XRechnung 3.0 (UBL credit note) | 3.0.2 |
| XRechnung 3.0 (CII) | 3.0.2 |
| Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 (invoice) | 2026.5 |
| Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 (credit note) | 2026.5 |
| Factur-X 1.09 BASIC WL | 1.0.9-2 |
| Factur-X 1.09 BASIC | 1.0.9-2 |
| Factur-X 1.09 EN 16931 | 1.0.9-2 |
| Factur-X 1.09 EXTENDED | 1.0.9-2 |
| ZUGFeRD 2.5 BASIC WL | 2.5.2 |
| ZUGFeRD 2.5 BASIC | 2.5.2 |
| ZUGFeRD 2.5 EN 16931 | 2.5.2 |
| ZUGFeRD 2.5 EXTENDED | 2.5.2 |
| SI-UBL 2.0 / NLCIUS (invoice) | 2.0.3.13 |
| SI-UBL 2.0 / NLCIUS (credit note) | 2.0.3.13 |
| NLCIUS (CII) | 1.0.3.13 |
| France CTC (UBL invoice) | 1.4.0-04 |
| France CTC (UBL credit note) | 1.4.0-04 |
| France CTC (CII) | 1.4.0-04 |
| CIUS-RO UBL Invoice 1.0.9 | 1.0.9 |
| CIUS-RO UBL Credit Note 1.0.9 | 1.0.9 |
Check your file
Drop your e-invoice to see whether BR-56 still fails, and which other rules do.
Related rules
- BR-FR-CO-15_BT-29-1 A seller in a VAT group needs the group's VAT number
- BR-18 Tax representative name is required
- BR-19 Tax representative address is required
- BR-20 Tax representative country is required
- BR-AE-02 Reverse-charge lines need both VAT numbers
- BR-AE-03 Reverse-charge invoice discounts need both VAT numbers