BR-DE-15 Leitweg-ID / buyer reference missing

Every XRechnung needs a buyer reference (field BT-10). For invoices to German public authorities this is the Leitweg-ID, a routing code for invoices. Without it the authority’s portal (ZRE, OZG-RE, state portals) rejects the invoice automatically.

The message in the validation report

[BR-DE-15] Das Element "Buyer reference" (BT-10) muss übermittelt werden.

Common causes

• Nobody asked the customer for the Leitweg-ID.
• The software puts the order number in another field, not in BT-10.
• Invoice to a company: many programs leave the field empty, but XRechnung still requires it.

How to fix it

1. Invoice to an authority: ask the customer for the Leitweg-ID. It is often on the purchase order, format e.g. 04011000-12345-34.
2. Invoice to a company: enter any customer reference, e.g. order number, customer number or contact name.
3. Create the invoice again and re-check it.

What it should look like (XRechnung, CII syntax)

<ram:ApplicableHeaderTradeAgreement>
  <ram:BuyerReference>04011000-12345-34</ram:BuyerReference>
  ...
</ram:ApplicableHeaderTradeAgreement>

Want to read or check an invoice you received? Open XRechnung · Check invoice

More error codes

• 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”)

Guides to German e-invoicing

• Open an XRechnung and save it as PDF
• ZUGFeRD or XRechnung: which one do I need?
• E-invoices for small businesses under § 19 UStG
• Sending an XRechnung to a German authority

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