errorEN 16931

BR-22:Invoice currency code required

The invoice must specify the document currency using ISO 4217 alpha-3 code.

Severity
Fatal
Rule set
EN 16931
Country
All EU
Fix type
INPUT REQUIRED

Engine Classification

Business data required · Explicit input workflow · No assumptions made

Required input: Document Currency Code

What is BR-22?

BR-22 is a fatal validation rule defined in the EN 16931 specification. It validates the DocumentCurrencyCode element under Invoice 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: XPath: /Invoice/cbc:DocumentCurrencyCode

Why This Error Matters

Invoice rejected. Quantity is required for price verification and inventory/procurement matching.

BR-22 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.

Validator Behavior

  • ·Causes invoice rejection
  • ·Error returned: BR-22
  • ·Specification: EN 16931

How to Fix It

1.

Add currency code

Common: EUR, USD, GBP, SEK, NOK, DKK

2.

Use ISO 4217

Three-letter uppercase code

3.

Match amounts

All amount currencyID must match

Before / After

Failing XML
<cac:InvoiceLine>
  <!-- cbc:InvoicedQuantity is missing -->
</cac:InvoiceLine>
Corrected XML
<cac:InvoiceLine>
  <cbc:InvoicedQuantity>valid-value</cbc:InvoicedQuantity>
</cac:InvoiceLine>

Technical Reference

XPathXPath: /Invoice/cbc:DocumentCurrencyCode
SpecEN 16931
StrategyRequires user input: Quantity for this line item. Cannot auto-derive because this represents actual goods/services delivered.

Code Example

<cbc:DocumentCurrencyCode>EUR</cbc:DocumentCurrencyCode>

Common Causes

  • ·InvoicedQuantity field not mapped in export
  • ·Service invoice without quantity concept (needs 1)
  • ·Lump sum pricing without unit quantity breakdown
  • ·Quantity stored in wrong field in source system
  • ·Export template missing quantity field mapping

Seeing this in production? The API handles BR-22 automatically. See the fix response →

Commonly Seen In

All invoicing software

Frequently Asked Questions

The invoice must specify the document currency using ISO 4217 alpha-3 code.

Add DocumentCurrencyCode with valid ISO currency. You can also use Invoice Navigator's automatic Fixer tool to correct this instantly.

Yes, BR-22 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-22 can be automatically corrected using Invoice Navigator's Fixer tool. Upload your invoice and the tool will identify and fix common issues, including invoice currency code required.

BR-22 is commonly seen in exports from All invoicing software. These software packages sometimes generate invoices that need adjustment to meet full compliance standards.

See Also

Related Errors

Last updated: 27 February 2026

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Handle BR-22 Automatically in Your Pipeline

The compliance engine auto-remediates this error with controlled safety policies and evidence pack generation.