BR-BE-11:Belgian VAT number format
Belgian VAT numbers must start with the BE prefix. The format should be BE followed by 10 digits (BE0XXXXXXXXX).
Engine Classification
Business data required · Explicit input workflow · No assumptions made
Required input: Belgian VAT Number
What is BR-BE-11?
BR-BE-11 is a fatal validation rule defined in the UBL-BE specification (BEL national rules). It checks whether belgian vat number format.
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.
Why This Error Matters
BR-BE-11 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
- ·Fails UBL schema validation
- ·Error returned: BR-BE-11
- ·Specification: UBL-BE
How to Fix It
Technical Reference
Code Example
<cbc:CompanyID schemeID="9925">BE0123456789</cbc:CompanyID>Common Causes
- ·VAT number entered without country prefix
- ·Document scanning misread
- ·Manual data entry error
Seeing this in production? The API handles BR-BE-11 automatically. See the fix response →
Frequently Asked Questions
Belgian VAT numbers must start with the BE prefix. The format should be BE followed by 10 digits (BE0XXXXXXXXX).
Add the BE prefix to the VAT number and ensure correct formatting. You can also use Invoice Navigator's automatic Fixer tool to correct this instantly.
Yes, BR-BE-11 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-BE-11 can be automatically corrected using Invoice Navigator's Fixer tool. Upload your invoice and the tool will identify and fix common issues, including belgian vat number format.
Last updated: 18 January 2026
Handle BR-BE-11 Automatically in Your Pipeline
The compliance engine auto-remediates this error with controlled safety policies and evidence pack generation.