CII-SR-319: Leave the despatch event out of the delivery section

What it means

The date the goods or services were supplied is the delivery date (BT-72), and it is given in the delivery event (ActualDeliverySupplyChainEvent). This rule checks that there is no separate ActualDespatchSupplyChainEvent, which records the dispatch.

Why it matters

The date that counts on an invoice is the delivery date, the date of supply, not the day the goods left the warehouse. The invoice is not rejected, but the dispatch date has no defined meaning and is likely to be ignored.

How to fix it

Make sure the delivery date (BT-72) holds the date of supply, and remove the dispatch event from the file. If your software exports dispatch dates, switch that off or choose the EN 16931 profile. The dispatch date belongs on a despatch advice or delivery note rather than on the invoice.

The rule as published

ActualDespatchSupplyChainEvent should not be present

Where this rule applies