CII-SR-370: Do not include a payment guarantee method code

What it means

The payment means part of the settlement section (SpecifiedTradeSettlementPaymentMeans) contains a GuaranteeMethodCode element. The CII format allows a code there that says how the payment is guaranteed. EN 16931 has no field for a payment guarantee.

Why it matters

This is a warning, so the file is still accepted. The buyer's software is not expected to read or act on a guarantee code, so it does not change what the buyer pays or when. It is worth fixing to keep the file clean, or if the guarantee matters to the buyer, because it needs to be stated in a field they will see.

How to fix it

Switch off any guarantee or security option in your invoicing software that is written into the payment details. If you edit the XML yourself, delete the GuaranteeMethodCode element. If the guarantee is part of your agreement with the buyer, mention it in the payment terms (BT-20) as plain text.

The rule as published

GuaranteeMethodCode should not be present

Where this rule applies