BR-05:Missing document currency code
An Invoice shall have an Invoice currency code (BT-5). This specifies the currency used for all monetary amounts in the invoice using ISO 4217 three-letter codes.
Engine Classification
Auto-fix: Derive currency from amount fields if they contain currency symbols or codes. If all amounts are in the same currency, extract and use that code. Falls back to EUR for European invoices if cannot derive.
What is BR-05?
BR-05 is a fatal validation rule defined in the EN 16931 specification. It validates the DocumentCurrencyCode element in the UBL invoice XML.
When this rule fires, the invoice is non-compliant and will be rejected by Peppol access points and national validation services. The sending system receives a rejection response and the invoice does not reach the buyer.
Target path: /Invoice/cbc:DocumentCurrencyCode
Why This Error Matters
Invoice rejected. Receiver cannot process payment without knowing the currency.
BR-05 is a hard failure. Invoices that trigger this rule are rejected at the access point and never reach the recipient. In Peppol networks, this means your sending system receives an MLR (Message Level Response) with a rejection status. The invoice must be corrected and re-sent, adding delay to your payment cycle.
Invoice Navigator can automatically correct this error in your pipeline. The fix is applied with full audit evidence, so your compliance trail remains intact.
Validator Behavior
- ·Causes invoice rejection
- ·Error returned: BR-05
- ·Specification: EN 16931
How to Fix It
Identify currency
Determine the currency from amount attributes (currencyID) or business context
Add DocumentCurrencyCode
Insert <cbc:DocumentCurrencyCode>EUR</cbc:DocumentCurrencyCode> after InvoiceTypeCode
Verify consistency
All monetary amounts should use the same currency code in their currencyID attribute
Before / After
<cbc:DocumentCurrencyCode></cbc:DocumentCurrencyCode>
<cbc:DocumentCurrencyCode>EUR</cbc:DocumentCurrencyCode>
Technical Reference
/Invoice/cbc:DocumentCurrencyCodeCode Example
<cac:PartyLegalEntity>\n <cbc:RegistrationName>Acme Corporation B.V.</cbc:RegistrationName>\n</cac:PartyLegalEntity>Common Causes
- ·Currency code field not mapped in export template
- ·Multi-currency system didn't specify document currency
- ·Currency assumed from locale but not explicitly set
- ·Template missing DocumentCurrencyCode field
- ·Currency stored as symbol (€) not ISO code (EUR)
Seeing this in production? The API handles BR-05 automatically. See the fix response →
Commonly Seen In
Frequently Asked Questions
The invoice must contain the legal name of the seller/supplier.
Add the seller's legal registered name. You can also use Invoice Navigator's automatic Fixer tool to correct this instantly.
Yes, BR-05 is a critical error that will cause invoice rejection. It must be fixed before submission to ensure your invoice is accepted by the recipient's system.
Many instances of BR-05 can be automatically corrected using Invoice Navigator's Fixer tool. Upload your invoice and the tool will identify and fix common issues, including invoice must have seller name.
BR-05 is commonly seen in exports from QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, Custom ERP. These software packages sometimes generate invoices that need adjustment to meet full compliance standards.
See Also
Related Errors
Last updated: 27 February 2026
Handle BR-05 Automatically in Your Pipeline
The compliance engine auto-remediates this error with controlled safety policies and evidence pack generation.