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Warning

UBL-CR-051: The despatch reference should not include an XPath

In short

Warning: worth checking.

UBL-CR-051 means the despatch advice reference contains an XPath, which EN 16931 does not use. Remove cbc:XPath from cac:DespatchDocumentReference.

On this page

What it means

The despatch advice reference (BT-16) points at the despatch advice, the document that lists what was sent. In a UBL invoice or credit note it is cac:DespatchDocumentReference. This rule checks that the block does not contain an XPath (cbc:XPath), a technical expression that points at one place inside the referenced document.

Why it matters

EN 16931 does not use an XPath inside the despatch advice reference.

How to fix it

Remove the XPath from the despatch advice reference. If you build the XML yourself, delete cbc:XPath from cac:DespatchDocumentReference. If you cannot control this part of the export, ask the software supplier to leave it out. Then check the file again.

Once the file is corrected, check it again for free: Validate an invoice against EN 16931

Or fix the invoice in a form and download the corrected file, for 1 credit: Fix a rejected e-invoice

The rule as published

A UBL invoice should not include the DespatchDocumentReference Xpath

Where this rule applies

Rule set Version
EN 16931 (UBL) 1.3.17
EN 16931 (UBL credit note) 1.3.17
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
SI-UBL 2.0 / NLCIUS (invoice) 2.0.3.13
SI-UBL 2.0 / NLCIUS (credit note) 2.0.3.13
France CTC (UBL invoice) 1.4.0-04
France CTC (UBL credit note) 1.4.0-04
CIUS-RO UBL Invoice 1.0.9 1.0.9
CIUS-RO UBL Credit Note 1.0.9 1.0.9
Rule text from phive-rules 4.6.4.

Check your file

Drop your e-invoice to see whether UBL-CR-051 still fails, and which other rules do.

Updated 6 November 2026