How do I fix DE-R-009?

This requires user input to resolve. Provide the correct value for `cbc:PostalZone` (BT-53). You can also use Invoice Navigator's compliance engine to correct this automatically in your pipeline.

Is DE-R-009 a critical error?

Yes, DE-R-009 is a critical error that will cause invoice rejection. It must be fixed before submission.

Can DE-R-009 be automatically fixed?

Many instances of DE-R-009 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-009`:The element "Buyer post code" (BT-53) shall be provided.

Buyer postal code is missing. German invoices must include the buyer's postal code (BT-53).

Severity

Fatal

Rule set

EN 16931

Country

DEU

Fix type

INPUT REQUIRED

Confidence

80%

Engine Classification

Business data required · Explicit input workflow · No assumptions made

Required input: IBAN

What is DE-R-009?

DE-R-009 is a fatal validation rule defined in the EN 16931 specification (DEU national rules). It validates the ID element under PayeeFinancialAccount 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: //cac:PaymentMeans/cac:PayeeFinancialAccount/cbc:ID

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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-009 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-009
·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//cac:PaymentMeans/cac:PayeeFinancialAccount/cbc:ID

SpecEN 16931

Operationset_value

StrategyAdd seller IBAN for XRechnung payment means (requires user input)

Common Causes

·German invoice missing buyer post code
·BT-53 Buyer post code element empty or absent
·cbc:PostalZone in buyer address not provided
·Buyer postal address incomplete for XRechnung
·German validation requires buyer postal code

Seeing this in production? The API handles DE-R-009 automatically. See the fix response →

Handle DE-R-009 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-009:The element "Buyer post code" (BT-53) shall be provided.