What it means
Every invoice must contain the seller contact's telephone number (BT-42). It is a phone number the buyer can call about the invoice, with at least three digits (BR-DE-27).
Why it matters
XRechnung, the German standard for e-invoices, requires this on top of EN 16931. Public bodies in Germany and their invoice portals (ZRE, OZG-RE and the state portals) reject an XRechnung that fails this rule, and many German businesses check incoming invoices the same way.
How to fix it
Enter a phone number for the contact in the company or sender settings of your invoicing software, for example +49 30 1234567, and export again.
The rule as published
Das Element "Seller contact telephone number" (BT-42) muss übermittelt werden. Business terms: BT-42
Where this rule applies
| Rule set | Version |
|---|---|
| XRechnung 3.0 (UBL) | 3.0.2 |
| XRechnung 3.0 (UBL credit note) | 3.0.2 |
| XRechnung 3.0 (CII) | 3.0.2 |
Check your file
Drop your e-invoice to see whether BR-DE-6 still fails, and which other rules do.
Related rules
- BR-DE-27 The seller's phone number should contain at least three digits
- BR-RO-L1005 Seller contact phone number must be 100 characters or fewer
- DE-R-006 A seller phone number is required between German parties
- DE-R-027 Seller contact phone number should have at least three digits
- BR-DE-7 Seller contact email is required
- BR-DE-8 Buyer city is required