XRechnung error codes explained

Your e-invoice was rejected or the validation report shows codes like BR-DE-15? Here is what the most common messages mean and how to fix them. BR-DE are German XRechnung rules, BR-CO EN 16931 calculation rules, BR-S standard VAT rate rules, BR-CL code lists.

• BR-DE-15Leitweg-ID / buyer reference missing
• BR-DE-1Payment instructions missing
• BR-DE-2Seller contact missing (also BR-DE-5, -6, -7)
• BR-DE-21Not an XRechnung (wrong specification identifier)
• BR-DE-23-aCredit transfer without IBAN
• BR-DE-18Skonto (cash discount) in the wrong format
• BR-CO-10Sum of line amounts does not match
• BR-CO-15Gross total is not net plus VAT
• BR-S-08VAT breakdown per rate does not match
• BR-CL-23Invalid unit code (e.g. “Stk”)

Rule text from the official KoSIT validation rules (XRechnung 3.0.2, EN 16931). General technical explanation, not tax or legal advice.