Fix BR-21: Invoice line identifier (BT-126) missing

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What does BR-21 mean?

Every line needs a unique identifier, usually a running number. That way each line can be referenced.

Common causes of BR-21

The element 'ram:LineID' in 'ram:AssociatedDocumentLineDocument' is missing on a line.
The issuing system does not set the line numbering.
Several lines share no unique identifier, or the whole 'AssociatedDocumentLineDocument' block is missing.

How to fix BR-21

Find the faulty spot in the XML. Open the XML of the invoice and go to field BT-126 along this XPath://ram:IncludedSupplyChainTradeLineItem/ram:AssociatedDocumentLineDocument/ram:LineID
Apply the fix. Give every Invoice line (BG-25) a unique Invoice line identifier (BT-126) in the element 'ram:AssociatedDocumentLineDocument/ram:LineID'. Number the lines consecutively, for example '1', '2', '3'.
Validate again. Save the file and validate it again to check that BR-21 is no longer reported.

Concrete fix

Give every Invoice line (BG-25) a unique Invoice line identifier (BT-126) in the element 'ram:AssociatedDocumentLineDocument/ram:LineID'. Number the lines consecutively, for example '1', '2', '3'.

XPath//ram:IncludedSupplyChainTradeLineItem/ram:AssociatedDocumentLineDocument/ram:LineID

Before / after: the XML example

This is the spot in question before and after the fix (Cross Industry Invoice, ZUGFeRD/Factur-X).

Wrong

<ram:IncludedSupplyChainTradeLineItem>
  <ram:SpecifiedTradeProduct>
    <ram:Name>Beratung</ram:Name>
  </ram:SpecifiedTradeProduct>
</ram:IncludedSupplyChainTradeLineItem>

Correct

<ram:IncludedSupplyChainTradeLineItem>
  <ram:AssociatedDocumentLineDocument>
    <ram:LineID>1</ram:LineID>
  </ram:AssociatedDocumentLineDocument>
  <ram:SpecifiedTradeProduct>
    <ram:Name>Beratung</ram:Name>
  </ram:SpecifiedTradeProduct>
</ram:IncludedSupplyChainTradeLineItem>

Frequent questions about BR-21

Must the line identifier be a number?

No, it is a character string. Common practice is a running number such as '1', '2', '3', but it only has to be unique within the invoice.

May line numbers repeat?

No. Every Invoice line identifier must be unique within the invoice so the line stays clearly referenceable.

Related error codes

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