What it means
This rule checks that the receiving advice reference in a UBL invoice or credit note (cac:ReceiptDocumentReference) does not contain a locale code (cbc:LocaleCode). It checks for the element's presence, not the format of its value. EN 16931 only uses the reference number inside that block (BT-15, in cbc:ID).
Why it matters
EN 16931 does not use a locale code in the receiving advice reference.
How to fix it
Delete cbc:LocaleCode from cac:ReceiptDocumentReference and export again. Keep the receiving advice reference number (BT-15) in cbc:ID, then recheck the file.
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 ReceiptDocumentReference 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-069 still fails, and which other rules do.
Related rules
- UBL-CR-070 Do not add a version to the receiving advice reference
- UBL-CR-071 Do not add a document status code to the receiving advice reference
- UBL-CR-072 Do not add a description to the receiving advice reference
- UBL-CR-073 Do not add an attachment to the receiving advice reference
- UBL-CR-074 Do not add a validity period to the receiving advice reference
- UBL-CR-075 Do not add an issuer to the receiving advice reference