How do I fix DE-R-004?

This requires user input to resolve. Provide the correct value for `cbc:PostalZone` (BT-38). You can also use Invoice Navigator's compliance engine to correct this automatically in your pipeline.

Is DE-R-004 a critical error?

Yes, DE-R-004 is a critical error that will cause invoice rejection. It must be fixed before submission.

Can DE-R-004 be automatically fixed?

Many instances of DE-R-004 can be automatically corrected using Invoice Navigator's compliance engine. The fix is applied in your pipeline with full audit evidence.

errorDEUEN 16931

`DE-R-004`:The element "Seller post code" (BT-38) shall be provided.

Seller postal code is missing. German invoices must include the seller's postal code (BT-38).

Severity

Fatal

Rule set

EN 16931

Country

DEU

Fix type

INPUT REQUIRED

Confidence

85%

Engine Classification

Business data required · Explicit input workflow · No assumptions made

Required input: Invoice type code

What is DE-R-004?

DE-R-004 is a fatal validation rule defined in the EN 16931 specification (DEU national rules). It validates the InvoiceTypeCode 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:InvoiceTypeCode

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Why This Error Matters

Invoice will be rejected by German XRechnung validators. Germany has additional mandatory fields beyond EN16931 baseline, including seller contact details, complete addresses, and buyer reference (Leitweg-ID).

DE-R-004 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
·Rejected by XRechnung endpoints
·Error returned: DE-R-004
·Specification: EN 16931

Before / After

Failing XML

<cac:PostalAddress>
  <cbc:PostalZone>INVALID_CODE</cbc:PostalZone>
</cac:PostalAddress>

Corrected XML

<cac:PostalAddress>
  <cbc:PostalZone>VALID_CODE</cbc:PostalZone>
</cac:PostalAddress>

Technical Reference

XPath/Invoice/cbc:InvoiceTypeCode

SpecEN 16931

Operationset_value

StrategySet correct XRechnung invoice type code (requires user selection)

Common Causes

·German invoice missing seller post code
·BT-38 Seller post code element empty or absent
·cbc:PostalZone in seller address not provided
·Seller postal address incomplete for XRechnung
·German validation requires seller postal code

Seeing this in production? The API handles DE-R-004 automatically. See the fix response →

Handle DE-R-004 Automatically in Your Pipeline

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

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DE-R-004:The element "Seller post code" (BT-38) shall be provided.