What it means
An invoice line contains a period (BG-26) but neither its start date (BT-134) nor its end date (BT-135) is filled in.
Why it matters
An empty period on a line says nothing about when that item was supplied, so the line is incomplete.
How to fix it
On that line, enter the start date, the end date or both, or remove the empty line period.
The rule as published
If Invoice line period (BG-26) is used, the Invoice line period start date (BT-134) or the Invoice line period end date (BT-135) shall be filled, or both. Business terms: BG-26, BT-134, BT-135
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 | 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 | 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-CO-20 still fails, and which other rules do.
Related rules
- BR-30 A line period cannot end before it starts
- BR-DE-TMP-32 Say when the goods or services were supplied
- BR-RO-DT004 Delivery date must be written as YYYY-MM-DD
- BR-RO-DT005 Period start date must be written as YYYY-MM-DD
- BR-RO-DT006 Period end date must be written as YYYY-MM-DD
- BR-CO-21 Each invoice discount needs a reason