What it means
This rule checks that the receiving advice reference in a UBL invoice or credit note (cac:ReceiptDocumentReference) does not contain a validity period, which gives the dates between which the referenced document is valid. EN 16931 only uses the reference number inside that block (BT-15, in cbc:ID).
Why it matters
The standard has no field for the validity of a referenced document, so the recipient's software ignores it or drops it. The rule is a warning because no amount or VAT figure depends on it, so the invoice is still accepted.
How to fix it
Delete cac:ValidityPeriod from cac:ReceiptDocumentReference and export again. If you meant to describe the period the invoice covers, use the invoicing period (BG-14) instead. Keep only the reference number in the receiving advice reference field (BT-15).
The rule as published
A UBL invoice should not include the ReceiptDocumentReference ValidityPeriod 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-074 still fails, and which other rules do.
Related rules
- UBL-CR-075 Do not add an issuer to the receiving advice reference
- UBL-CR-076 Do not add a verification result to the receiving advice reference
- UBL-CR-077 Do not include a statement document reference
- UBL-CR-078 Do not add a copy flag to the originator document reference
- UBL-CR-079 Do not add a UUID to the originator document reference
- UBL-CR-080 Do not add an issue date to the originator document reference