Fix BR-36: Document level charge amount (BT-99) missing

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What does BR-36 mean?

Every document level charge must state its amount. Otherwise the sum of the charges cannot be built.

Common causes of BR-36

The charge has a reason and a tax rate, but no ram:ActualAmount.
The amount was written into a wrong element instead of ActualAmount.
The export created the charge block but left the amount empty.

How to fix BR-36

Find the faulty spot in the XML. Open the XML of the invoice and go to field BT-99 along this XPath://ram:ApplicableHeaderTradeSettlement/ram:SpecifiedTradeAllowanceCharge/ram:ActualAmount
Apply the fix. Every document level charge (BG-21) needs a document level charge amount (BT-99). Add the element ram:ActualAmount with the amount excluding VAT to the charge (ram:SpecifiedTradeAllowanceCharge with ChargeIndicator true), for example 15.00.
Validate again. Save the file and validate it again to check that BR-36 is no longer reported.

Concrete fix

Every document level charge (BG-21) needs a document level charge amount (BT-99). Add the element ram:ActualAmount with the amount excluding VAT to the charge (ram:SpecifiedTradeAllowanceCharge with ChargeIndicator true), for example 15.00.

XPath//ram:ApplicableHeaderTradeSettlement/ram:SpecifiedTradeAllowanceCharge/ram:ActualAmount

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>true</udt:Indicator></ram:ChargeIndicator>
  <ram:Reason>Versandkosten</ram:Reason>
</ram:SpecifiedTradeAllowanceCharge>

Correct

<ram:SpecifiedTradeAllowanceCharge>
  <ram:ChargeIndicator><udt:Indicator>true</udt:Indicator></ram:ChargeIndicator>
  <ram:ActualAmount>15.00</ram:ActualAmount>
  <ram:Reason>Versandkosten</ram:Reason>
</ram:SpecifiedTradeAllowanceCharge>

Frequent questions about BR-36

How does the XML show a charge?

By ram:ChargeIndicator/udt:Indicator with the value true. An allowance has false there. The amount (BT-99) is given as positive in both cases.

What counts as a document level charge?

Costs that concern the whole invoice, such as shipping, packaging or handling costs. Line related charges belong in the respective invoice line instead.

Related error codes

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