BR-DE-15: Your customer's reference is missing. How to fix it

What the rule checks

The rule checks that the field "Buyer reference" (BT-10) is present and filled. XRechnung makes this mandatory even though the European norm EN 16931 leaves it optional. Germany made it compulsory because without it the receiving side cannot route the invoice to the right office automatically.

Why files fail it

• You are invoicing a public authority and did not enter the Leitweg-ID. It is in the tender, the contract or the order; ask the authority if you cannot find it.
• Your software only fills the field when you record a purchase order number, and you did not record one.
• You are invoicing a company and assumed the field applied only to authorities. In XRechnung it is always mandatory. Enter whatever reference your customer gave you, or their order number.

How to fix it

1. 1Enter the reference your customer gave you. For a German authority that is the Leitweg-ID, a hyphenated string of digits such as 991-12345-67.
2. 2The field is called "Buyer reference" (BT-10) in the standard. Invoicing software usually shows it as "Leitweg-ID", "buyer reference" or "customer reference", normally in the invoice header.
3. 3Do not invent a value. A wrong Leitweg-ID passes the check but is refused by the recipient, or lands at the wrong office.
4. 4In our form it is "Your customer's reference" in the customer block. For a German authority, expand the section below it and enter the Leitweg-ID there.