FORMAT-004:Invalid ZUGFeRD profile
Fix: Use valid ZUGFeRD profile identifier.
ZUGFeRD documents must specify valid profile.
Engine Classification
Financial or legal field · Modification blocked by policy
Reason: ZUGFeRD documents must specify a valid profile (MINIMUM, BASIC, BASIC WL, EN16931, EXTENDED). The profile identifier in the XML must match one of these. Regenerate the invoice with your software configured for a valid ZUGFeRD profile.
What is FORMAT-004?
FORMAT-004 is a fatal validation rule defined in the zugferd specification. It validates the ZUGFeRD profile identification element in the UBL invoice XML.
When this rule fires, the invoice is rejected by Peppol access points and never reaches the buyer.
Target path: ZUGFeRD profile identification
Why This Error Matters
Profile determines validation rules.
FORMAT-004 is a hard failure — the invoice must be corrected and re-sent before it can reach the recipient.
Validator Behavior
- ·Causes invoice rejection
- ·Error returned: FORMAT-004
- ·Specification: zugferd
How to Fix It
Check profile
MINIMUM, BASIC, COMFORT, EXTENDED
Set identifier
In XML guideline context
XML Example
Generic example based on the rule's target XPath. Your actual XML structure may differ.
<!-- Triggers validation error --> <ZUGFeRD profile identification></ZUGFeRD profile identification>
<!-- Corrected --> <ZUGFeRD profile identification>VALID_VALUE</ZUGFeRD profile identification>
Technical Reference
ZUGFeRD profile identificationCommon Causes
- ·Missing profile
- ·Invalid identifier
Seeing this in production? The API handles FORMAT-004 automatically. See the fix response →
Frequently Asked Questions
ZUGFeRD documents must specify valid profile.
Use valid ZUGFeRD profile identifier. This error involves a protected field — Invoice Navigator flags it in your pipeline so your team can correct it at the source.
Yes, FORMAT-004 is a critical error that must be fixed.
Related Errors
Related Content
Last updated: 3 March 2026
Validate your invoice
Drop your XML here to check for FORMAT-004
Detect FORMAT-004 before submission
This error involves a financial field that can't be auto-modified. We'll flag it with a clear diagnosis so you can fix it at the source.