What causes the BR-CO-19 error?

BR-CO-19 occurs when an InvoicePeriod element exists in the invoice but contains no StartDate (BT-73) or EndDate (BT-74). The period element must have at least one date.

How do I fix BR-CO-19?

Either add dates to the invoice period (StartDate and/or EndDate), or remove the empty InvoicePeriod element entirely. Invoice Navigator can fix this automatically.

Is BR-CO-19 a critical error?

Yes, BR-CO-19 is a business rule violation that will cause invoice rejection. An invoice period must have at least one date to be valid.

Can BR-CO-19 be automatically fixed?

Yes! Invoice Navigator automatically removes empty InvoicePeriod elements when no dates are present. This is a safe structural fix with no data loss.

Error codes · EN 16931

BR-CO-19In your invoicing software

Invoice period must have at least one date

This is the rejection, word for word: „[BR-CO-19] If Invoicing period (BG-14) is used, the Invoicing period start date (BT-73) or the Invoicing period end date (BT-74) shall be filled, or both.“

BR-CO-19 validates that when an InvoicePeriod element exists in the invoice, it must contain at least a StartDate (BT-73) or EndDate (BT-74). An empty InvoicePeriod element is not valid.

What to have readyNothing. The file has to be re-exported from your invoicing software; we check it again afterwards.

What we doInvoice Navigator automatically fixes this issue by correcting the `cac:DeliveryPeriod` element in your Invoice.

Choose the rejected invoiceor drop it here

XRechnung XML or ZUGFeRD PDF. Checking is free · corrected file €1.90 · the first every 30 days is free · no sign-up.

If you enter it yourself in your invoicing software

Before

<cac:InvoicePeriod>\n  <!-- Empty - no dates -->\n</cac:InvoicePeriod>

After

<cac:InvoicePeriod>\n  <cbc:StartDate>2026-01-01</cbc:StartDate>\n  <cbc:EndDate>2026-01-31</cbc:EndDate>\n</cac:InvoicePeriod>

Element order is part of the rule: if the element sits in the wrong place, the validator rejects with BR-CO-19.

What the finding looks likeExample

FindingStructure invalid · BR-CO-19

Location//cac:InvoicePeriod[not(cbc:StartDate) and not(cbc:EndDate)]

From youA re-exported file

ThenRe-export

ProofSHA-256 and /verify link after the check

Often appears together with

BR-CO-18An Invoice shall at least have one VAT breakdown group (BG-23)BR-CO-20Invoice line period dates required