What it means
The payee block (PayeeTradeParty) has a DefinedTradeContact element with a contact person, phone number or similar details. EN 16931 carries contact details for the seller and the buyer only, not for the payee.
Why it matters
The file is still accepted, because this is a warning. The buyer's software does not read the payee contact, so a question about the payment will not reach the right person through it. Fix it when the buyer is likely to call someone about payment.
How to fix it
Delete the DefinedTradeContact block from the payee. Put the person the buyer should contact about the invoice in the seller contact (BG-6), which receivers do read. If a factoring company handles payment questions, give its contact details in the payment terms text or on the PDF instead.
The rule as published
DefinedTradeContact should not be present Where this rule applies
| Rule set | Version |
|---|---|
| EN 16931 (CII) | 1.3.17 |
| XRechnung 3.0 (CII) | 3.0.2 |
| NLCIUS (CII) | 1.0.3.13 |
| France CTC (CII) | 1.4.0-04 |
Check your file
Drop your e-invoice to see whether CII-SR-359 still fails, and which other rules do.