CII-SR-481: The rounding amount may appear only once

What it means

The totals section (SpecifiedTradeSettlementHeaderMonetarySummation) can hold a rounding amount (BT-114), the small amount added to or taken from the invoice total so the amount due comes out round, for example to the nearest five cents. In the file it is the element RoundingAmount, and the check allows it at most once.

Why it matters

The amount due is worked out as the total including VAT, minus anything already paid, plus the rounding amount. With two rounding amounts the recipient cannot tell which to use, so the amount due is in doubt. This is a fatal error and the invoice is rejected.

How to fix it

Many invoices need no rounding amount at all, so first check whether yours does. If it does, keep one RoundingAmount and delete the repeat; if it does not, remove it. A repeat usually comes from the software that exported the file, so export the invoice again, or ask the supplier to fix it if it keeps happening.

The rule as published

RoundingAmount shall occur at most once in SpecifiedTradeSettlementHeaderMonetarySummation.

Where this rule applies