What causes the BR-CO-21 error?

BR-CO-21 occurs when a document level allowance (discount) exists but has no reason code (BT-98) or reason text (BT-97) explaining what the allowance is for.

How do I fix BR-CO-21?

Add either AllowanceChargeReasonCode with a valid UNCL-5189 code (e.g., 95 for Discount) or AllowanceChargeReason with descriptive text. Invoice Navigator can fix this automatically.

Is BR-CO-21 a critical error?

Yes, BR-CO-21 is a business rule violation that will cause invoice rejection. Buyers need to understand what discounts are being applied.

Can BR-CO-21 be automatically fixed?

Yes! Invoice Navigator automatically adds the default reason code 95 (Discount) when no reason is provided. This is the standard catch-all discount code from UNCL-5189.

Error codes · EN 16931

BR-CO-21In your invoicing software

Document allowance reason required

This is the rejection, word for word: „[BR-CO-21] Each Document level allowance (BG-20) shall contain a Document level allowance reason (BT-97) or a Document level allowance reason code (BT-98), or both.“

When cac:AllowanceCharge with ChargeIndicator=false exists at document level, either cbc:AllowanceChargeReason (BT-97) or cbc:AllowanceChargeReasonCode (BT-98) must be provided.

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:AllowanceCharge` element in your Invoice (BR-CO-21).

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

<Invoice>
  <cac:AllowanceCharge>INVALID_CODE</cac:AllowanceCharge>
</Invoice>

After

<Invoice>
  <cac:AllowanceCharge>VALID_CODE</cac:AllowanceCharge>
</Invoice>

Element order is part of the rule: if the element sits in the wrong place, the validator rejects with BR-CO-21.

What the finding looks likeExample

FindingStructure invalid · BR-CO-21

Location//cac:AllowanceCharge[cbc:ChargeIndicator='false' and not(cbc:AllowanceChargeReason) and not(cbc:AllowanceChargeReasonCode)]/cbc:AllowanceChargeReasonCode

From youA re-exported file

ThenRe-export

ProofSHA-256 and /verify link after the check

Often appears together with

BR-CO-22Document charge reason required