BR-DE-15: Buyer reference (BT-10) is missing

Severity: fatal · Syntax: CII, UBL

Official message

Das Element "Buyer reference" (BT-10) muss übermittelt werden.

What this means

The element Buyer reference (BT-10) must be transmitted. UBL checks cbc:BuyerReference[boolean(normalize-space(.))]. CII checks ram:BuyerReference under ApplicableHeaderTradeAgreement with the same non-empty test. On invoices to public authorities this is, in practice, the Leitweg-ID. The assertion only checks that the value is non-empty after normalize-space. It does not check a Leitweg-ID check digit.

Typical cause

Buyer reference is empty in the software, or a template without a reference was used for an XRechnung.

How to fix it

Set a non-empty value. For B2G, the buyer's Leitweg-ID; for B2B, the reference the buyer gave you. A sample value helps you shape the file; it does not replace the buyer's reference.

UBL

<cbc:BuyerReference>991-12345-73</cbc:BuyerReference>

CII

<ram:ApplicableHeaderTradeAgreement>
  <ram:BuyerReference>991-12345-73</ram:BuyerReference>
</ram:ApplicableHeaderTradeAgreement>

Business term

Buyer reference (BT-10)

Related rules

Context and assertion

UBL /ubl:Invoice | /cn:CreditNote

CII /rsm:CrossIndustryInvoice

UBL

cbc:BuyerReference[boolean(normalize-space(.))]

CII

rsm:SupplyChainTradeTransaction/ram:ApplicableHeaderTradeAgreement/ram:BuyerReference[boolean(normalize-space(.))]

Check a file now, free of charge

curl -F "file=@rechnung.xml" https://checkxrechnung.com/v1/validate

Questions

What does BR-DE-15 actually check?

How do I fix BR-DE-15?

Set a non-empty value. For B2G, the buyer's Leitweg-ID; for B2B, the reference the buyer gave you. A sample value helps you shape the file; it does not replace the buyer's reference.

If BR-DE-15 passes, is the invoice legally compliant?

No. This page helps you read this one Schematron assertion. A pass is not a statement about tax law, portal acceptance, or bank overlays.