CII-SR-303: Do not give a line number on an additional document reference

What it means

The check looks at each additional document reference (ram:AdditionalReferencedDocument) in the agreement part of the invoice header and fails if one carries a line number (ram:LineID). EN 16931 uses this element for the tender or lot reference (BT-17), the invoiced object identifier (BT-18) and supporting documents (BG-24), and none of them has a line number.

Why it matters

This is a warning, so the invoice is still accepted. A recipient that follows the standard reads the reference or attachment and ignores the line number. It is worth fixing if the line number carries meaning for the buyer, because it is lost.

How to fix it

Remove the line number from your additional document references in your invoicing software, leaving the identifier, the type and any attachment. In the XML, delete ram:LineID inside each ram:AdditionalReferencedDocument at the top of the invoice. If the software adds it by itself, ask its supplier for an update or setting that leaves it out.

The rule as published

LineID should not be present

Where this rule applies