What it means
A charge on the whole invoice (BG-21) has neither a reason in words (BT-104) nor a reason code (BT-105).
Why it matters
The recipient needs to know what the extra amount is for, such as freight or packing, before booking it.
How to fix it
Add a short reason such as "Freight", a reason code from the UNTDID 7161 list (FC means freight), or both.
The rule as published
Each Document level charge (BG-21) shall contain a Document level charge reason (BT-104) or a Document level charge reason code (BT-105), or both. Business terms: BG-21, BT-104, BT-105
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 |
| ZUGFeRD 2.5 BASIC WL | 2.5.2 |
| ZUGFeRD 2.5 BASIC | 2.5.2 |
| ZUGFeRD 2.5 EN 16931 | 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-22 still fails, and which other rules do.
Related rules
- BR-38 Reason for a charge on the whole invoice is required
- BR-FXEXT-BR-38 Each charge on the whole invoice needs a reason
- BR-CO-06 Charge reason code and text must match
- BR-36 Amount of a charge on the whole invoice is required
- BR-37 VAT category of the charge is required
- BR-AE-01 Reverse-charge items need a matching VAT breakdown entry