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 a locale code (cbc:LocaleCode).
Why it matters
EN 16931 does not use a locale code inside the despatch advice reference.
How to fix it
Remove the locale code from the despatch advice reference. If the software adds the code itself, ask its supplier for an export that leaves it out. If you build the XML yourself, delete cbc:LocaleCode from cac:DespatchDocumentReference. 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 LocaleCode 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 |
Check your file
Drop your e-invoice to see whether UBL-CR-053 still fails, and which other rules do.
Related rules
- UBL-CR-054 The despatch reference should not include a version
- UBL-CR-055 The despatch reference should not include a status code
- UBL-CR-056 The despatch reference should not include a description
- UBL-CR-057 The despatch reference should not include an attachment
- UBL-CR-058 The despatch reference should not include a validity period
- UBL-CR-059 The despatch reference should not include an issuer party