Fix BR-33: Reason for the allowance (BT-97/BT-98) missing

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What does BR-33 mean?

Every document level allowance must be justified, as text or as a code. That keeps it clear what the deduction is for.

Common causes of BR-33

The allowance gives neither a reason text nor a reason code.
The element ram:Reason was left empty and no ReasonCode was set.
The export did not pass the allowance reason along.

How to fix BR-33

Find the faulty spot in the XML. Open the XML of the invoice and go to field BT-97 along this XPath://ram:ApplicableHeaderTradeSettlement/ram:SpecifiedTradeAllowanceCharge/ram:Reason
Apply the fix. Every document level allowance (BG-20) needs a reason as text (BT-97, ram:Reason) or a reason as a code (BT-98, ram:ReasonCode). Add at least one of them, for example ram:Reason with 'Loyalty discount' or ram:ReasonCode with '95' from UNCL5189.
Validate again. Save the file and validate it again to check that BR-33 is no longer reported.

Concrete fix

Every document level allowance (BG-20) needs a reason as text (BT-97, ram:Reason) or a reason as a code (BT-98, ram:ReasonCode). Add at least one of them, for example ram:Reason with 'Loyalty discount' or ram:ReasonCode with '95' from UNCL5189.

XPath//ram:ApplicableHeaderTradeSettlement/ram:SpecifiedTradeAllowanceCharge/ram:Reason

Before / after: the XML example

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

Wrong

<ram:SpecifiedTradeAllowanceCharge>
  <ram:ChargeIndicator><udt:Indicator>false</udt:Indicator></ram:ChargeIndicator>
  <ram:ActualAmount>10.00</ram:ActualAmount>
</ram:SpecifiedTradeAllowanceCharge>

Correct

<ram:SpecifiedTradeAllowanceCharge>
  <ram:ChargeIndicator><udt:Indicator>false</udt:Indicator></ram:ChargeIndicator>
  <ram:ActualAmount>10.00</ram:ActualAmount>
  <ram:Reason>Treuerabatt</ram:Reason>
</ram:SpecifiedTradeAllowanceCharge>

Frequent questions about BR-33

Do I need text and code, or is one enough?

One of the two is enough: either the reason text (BT-97) or the reason code (BT-98). You may give both, but you must set at least one.

Where do I find the codes for the allowance reason?

In the code list UNCL5189. Common values are '95' for discount or '100' for special rebate. For free text use ram:Reason instead.

Related error codes

Check BR-33 automatically

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