What it means
The payment means type code (BT-81) must be a number from UNTDID 4461, for example 30 credit transfer, 58 SEPA credit transfer, 59 SEPA direct debit, 48 bank card or 10 cash. Words such as "Transfer" or "IBAN" are not codes.
Why it matters
Codes are read by software, not by people. A value outside the agreed code list cannot be interpreted, so the recipient's system rejects the invoice even when the value looks sensible to a person.
How to fix it
Choose the payment method from the list in your invoicing software and export again. If you build the XML yourself, write only the number, such as 58, in cbc:PaymentMeansCode (UBL) or ram:TypeCode (CII).
The rule as published
Payment means in an invoice MUST be coded using UNCL4461 code list 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 |
| 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-CL-16 still fails, and which other rules do.
Related rules
- BR-CL-17 VAT categories of the breakdown, discounts and charges must come from UNCL 5305
- BR-CL-18 VAT categories of invoice lines must come from UNCL 5305
- BR-CL-19 Allowance reason codes must come from UNTDID 5189
- BR-CL-20 Charge reason codes must come from UNTDID 7161
- BR-CL-21 The item standard identifier scheme must come from ISO 6523
- BR-CL-22 VAT exemption reason codes must come from the VATEX list