BR-57:Each Deliver to address (BG-15) shall contain a Deliver to country code (BT-80)
Each Deliver to address (BG-15) shall contain a Deliver to country code (BT-80). This applies to the `cac:Address` element in the invoice XML.
Engine Classification
Business data required · Explicit input workflow · No assumptions made
Required input: Allowance Reason
What is BR-57?
BR-57 is a fatal validation rule defined in the EN 16931 specification. It validates the AllowanceCharge 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/cac:AllowanceCharge[cbc:ChargeIndicator=false]
Why This Error Matters
Invoice rejected. Delivery country is needed for logistics, customs, and tax determination.
BR-57 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-57
- ·Specification: EN 16931
How to Fix It
Locate document allowance
Find AllowanceCharge at document level
Add reason code
Common codes: 95 (discount), 100 (special agreement)
Before / After
<cac:DeliveryLocation> <cac:Address>INVALID_CODE</cac:Address> </cac:DeliveryLocation>
<cac:DeliveryLocation> <cac:Address>VALID_CODE</cac:Address> </cac:DeliveryLocation>
Technical Reference
XPath: /Invoice/cac:AllowanceCharge[cbc:ChargeIndicator=false]Common Causes
- ·Delivery address missing country code
- ·Delivery/DeliveryLocation/Address without country
- ·Shipping address entered without country selection
- ·Country stored as full name not ISO code
- ·Domestic delivery assumed no country needed
Seeing this in production? The API handles BR-57 automatically. See the fix response →
Frequently Asked Questions
Document level allowance must have reason code or text.
Add AllowanceChargeReasonCode from UNCL5189 code list. You can also use Invoice Navigator's automatic Fixer tool to correct this instantly.
Yes, BR-57 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-57 can be automatically corrected using Invoice Navigator's Fixer tool. Upload your invoice and the tool will identify and fix common issues, including document allowance must have reason.
See Also
Related Errors
Last updated: 27 February 2026
Handle BR-57 Automatically in Your Pipeline
The compliance engine auto-remediates this error with controlled safety policies and evidence pack generation.