CII-SR-396: Do not use the logistics service charge element

What it means

The invoice settlement section contains a SpecifiedLogisticsServiceCharge element, a separate place for a logistics fee such as freight or delivery. EN 16931 does not use it. A fee like that is entered as a charge on the whole invoice (BG-21).

Why it matters

This is a warning, so the invoice is still accepted. Software that follows EN 16931 does not read this element, so a delivery fee that only appears here may not be picked up by the buyer. It is worth fixing if the element carries a fee the buyer is meant to pay.

How to fix it

Remove the SpecifiedLogisticsServiceCharge element. If you charge for delivery or freight, add it as a charge on the whole invoice, with a reason, its VAT category and VAT rate, and make sure it is included in the totals. In most invoicing software this is called shipping costs or a surcharge.

The rule as published

SpecifiedLogisticsServiceCharge should not be present

Where this rule applies