warningNLDpeppol-bis-3

BR-NL-02:Dutch BTW number recommended

Dutch invoices should include the BTW-nummer (VAT number) in format NL + 9 digits + B + 2 digits.

Severity
Warning
Rule set
peppol-bis-3
Country
NLD
Fix type
INPUT REQUIRED

Engine Classification

Business data required · Explicit input workflow · No assumptions made

Required input: Dutch VAT Number (BTW-nummer)

What is BR-NL-02?

BR-NL-02 is a warning validation rule defined in the peppol-bis-3 specification (NLD national rules). It validates the CompanyID element under Party > PartyTaxScheme in the UBL invoice XML.

This is a soft validation failure. The invoice may pass initial transmission, but non-compliant values in this field can cause problems during tax audits, buyer-side processing, or downstream VAT reconciliation.

Target path: XPath: /Invoice/cac:AccountingSupplierParty/cac:Party/cac:PartyTaxScheme/cbc:CompanyID

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Why This Error Matters

BTW-nummer is required for B2B invoicing and VAT deduction by the buyer.

BR-NL-02 is a soft failure. The invoice may pass initial validation, but the non-compliant field can cause issues at the receiving end — tax authorities may flag it during audits, buyer ERP systems may fail to process it, or VAT reconciliation may produce mismatches. Fixing warnings before they accumulate prevents larger compliance gaps.

Validator Behavior

  • ·Generates validation warning
  • ·Rejected by PEPPOL Access Points
  • ·Error returned: BR-NL-02
  • ·Specification: peppol-bis-3

How to Fix It

1.

Get BTW-nummer

Format: NL123456789B01 (B + 2-digit suffix)

2.

Add to invoice

Place in PartyTaxScheme/CompanyID

3.

Include scheme

Add VAT as TaxScheme ID

XML Example

Generic example based on the rule's target XPath. Your actual XML structure may differ.

Before
<!-- Incorrect value -->
<cbc:CompanyID>INVALID</cbc:CompanyID>
After
<!-- Corrected value -->
<cbc:CompanyID>VALID_VALUE</cbc:CompanyID>

Technical Reference

XPathXPath: /Invoice/cac:AccountingSupplierParty/cac:Party/cac:PartyTaxScheme/cbc:CompanyID
Specpeppol-bis-3

Code Example

<cac:PartyTaxScheme>
  <cbc:CompanyID>NL123456789B01</cbc:CompanyID>
  <cac:TaxScheme>
    <cbc:ID>VAT</cbc:ID>
  </cac:TaxScheme>
</cac:PartyTaxScheme>

Common Causes

  • ·Missing suffix (B01)
  • ·Using old number format
  • ·Number not active

Seeing this in production? The API handles BR-NL-02 automatically. See the fix response →

Commonly Seen In

Exact OnlineTwinfieldAFASSnelstart

Frequently Asked Questions

Dutch invoices should include the BTW-nummer (VAT number) in format NL + 9 digits + B + 2 digits.

Add Dutch VAT number in correct format. You can also use Invoice Navigator's automatic Fixer tool to correct this instantly.

BR-NL-02 is a warning that may not always cause rejection, but it indicates a potential compliance issue that should be addressed to ensure full compatibility.

Many instances of BR-NL-02 can be automatically corrected using Invoice Navigator's Fixer tool. Upload your invoice and the tool will identify and fix common issues, including dutch btw number recommended.

BR-NL-02 is commonly seen in exports from Exact Online, Twinfield, AFAS, Snelstart. These software packages sometimes generate invoices that need adjustment to meet full compliance standards.

Related Errors

BR-NL-01

KVK Number Recommended

Last updated: 18 January 2026

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Handle BR-NL-02 Automatically in Your Pipeline

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

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