What it means
This rule checks that cac:PaymentTerms contains no cbc:PenaltyAmount element. It does not assess whether a late-payment penalty is valid or payable.
Why it matters
EN 16931 does not use this structured penalty amount within UBL payment terms.
How to fix it
Remove cbc:PenaltyAmount from cac:PaymentTerms. If your payment terms include a late-payment penalty, describe the condition in cbc:Note (BT-20). Do not add a document-level charge (BG-21) merely to clear this warning. 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 PaymentTerms PenaltyAmount 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-461 still fails, and which other rules do.
Related rules
- UBL-CR-462 Payment terms should not carry a link to further details
- UBL-CR-463 Do not put a due date inside the payment terms
- UBL-CR-464 Do not give an instalment due date in the payment terms
- UBL-CR-465 Do not add an invoicing party reference to the payment terms
- UBL-CR-466 Do not give a settlement period in the payment terms
- UBL-CR-467 Do not give a penalty period in the payment terms