BR-CL-8 in your own invoice? Upload the file and find every error in seconds.
What does BR-CL-8 mean?
The rule checks the subject code of an invoice note (BT-21). If it is stated, it must come from the code list UNTDID 4451. The code assigns the free-text note to a topic, such as general information or payment terms. A made-up or misspelled value is rejected.
Common causes of BR-CL-8
- The element ram:SubjectCode holds a value outside the code list UNTDID 4451.
- A typo or free text instead of a valid code.
- The code was written in lower case; UNCL4451 uses upper case.
- An internal short code from your own system was carried over.
How to fix BR-CL-8
- Find the faulty spot in the XML. Open the XML of the invoice and go to field BT-21 along this XPath:
//rsm:CrossIndustryInvoice/rsm:ExchangedDocument/ram:IncludedNote/ram:SubjectCode - Apply the fix. Set a valid UNTDID 4451 code in ram:IncludedNote/ram:SubjectCode, for example AAI for general information or AAB for payment terms.
- Validate again. Save the file and validate it again to check that BR-CL-8 is no longer reported.
Concrete fix
Set a valid UNTDID 4451 code in ram:IncludedNote/ram:SubjectCode, for example AAI for general information or AAB for payment terms.
XPath
//rsm:CrossIndustryInvoice/rsm:ExchangedDocument/ram:IncludedNote/ram:SubjectCodeBefore / after: the XML example
This is the spot in question before and after the fix (Cross Industry Invoice, ZUGFeRD/Factur-X).
Wrong
<ram:IncludedNote>
<ram:Content>Vielen Dank fuer Ihren Auftrag.</ram:Content>
<ram:SubjectCode>INFO</ram:SubjectCode>
</ram:IncludedNote>
Correct
<ram:IncludedNote>
<ram:Content>Vielen Dank fuer Ihren Auftrag.</ram:Content>
<ram:SubjectCode>AAI</ram:SubjectCode>
</ram:IncludedNote>Frequent questions about BR-CL-8
Which codes are valid?
Values from UNTDID 4451, for example "AAI" for general information, "AAB" for payment terms or "REG" for a regulatory statement.
Do I have to state a subject code at all?
No. BT-21 is optional. But if a ram:SubjectCode is present, its value must come from UNCL4451.
The free text stays, right?
Yes. The note text sits in ram:Content (BT-22) and is free. Only the subject code in ram:SubjectCode is bound to the code list.
Related error codes
Check BR-CL-8 automatically
Instead of digging through the XML by hand you can validate your ZUGFeRD or XRechnung file online – upload the PDF or the XML and you get every error with rule ID, affected field, fix and XPath, as a readable report or as JSON through the API.