What it means
In UBL, every cac:AllowanceCharge has a cbc:ChargeIndicator that says whether it is a charge (true) or a discount (false). Peppol only accepts the exact lower-case words true and false, not 1, 0, TRUE or yes.
Why it matters
Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 adds this rule to EN 16931 so that every access point and receiver can process the invoice the same way. The sending or receiving access point rejects an invoice that fails it, so it never reaches the buyer.
How to fix it
This is a technical error in how the file was produced. If you build the XML yourself, write <cbc:ChargeIndicator>false</cbc:ChargeIndicator> for a discount and true for a charge. If your invoicing software produced it, report it to your software provider.
The rule as published
Allowance/charge ChargeIndicator value MUST equal 'true' or 'false' Where this rule applies
| Rule set | Version |
|---|---|
| XRechnung 3.0 (UBL) | 3.0.2 |
| XRechnung 3.0 (UBL credit note) | 3.0.2 |
| Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 (invoice) | 2026.5 |
| Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 (credit note) | 2026.5 |
Check your file
Drop your e-invoice to see whether PEPPOL-EN16931-R043 still fails, and which other rules do.
Related rules
- PEPPOL-EN16931-R044 No charges on the item price
- PEPPOL-EN16931-R046 The net price must equal gross price minus price discount
- PEPPOL-EN16931-R051 All amounts must be in the invoice currency
- PEPPOL-EN16931-R053 Only one tax total with a VAT breakdown
- PEPPOL-EN16931-R054 One tax total in accounting currency when a tax currency is given
- PEPPOL-EN16931-R055 Both VAT totals must have the same sign