warningNLDpeppol-bis-3

`BR-NL-02`:Dutch BTW number recommended

Dutch invoices should include the BTW-nummer (VAT number) in format NL + 9 digits + B + 2 digits.

Severity

Warning

Rule set

peppol-bis-3

Country

NLD

Fix type

INPUT REQUIRED

Engine Classification

Business data required · Explicit input workflow · No assumptions made

Required input: Dutch VAT Number (BTW-nummer)

What is BR-NL-02?

BR-NL-02 is a warning validation rule defined in the peppol-bis-3 specification (NLD national rules). It validates the CompanyID element under Party > PartyTaxScheme in the UBL invoice XML.

This is a soft validation failure. The invoice may pass initial transmission, but non-compliant values in this field can cause problems during tax audits, buyer-side processing, or downstream VAT reconciliation.

Target path: XPath: /Invoice/cac:AccountingSupplierParty/cac:Party/cac:PartyTaxScheme/cbc:CompanyID

Fix this error Get API Access

Why This Error Matters

BTW-nummer is required for B2B invoicing and VAT deduction by the buyer.

BR-NL-02 is a soft failure. The invoice may pass initial validation, but the non-compliant field can cause issues at the receiving end — tax authorities may flag it during audits, buyer ERP systems may fail to process it, or VAT reconciliation may produce mismatches. Fixing warnings before they accumulate prevents larger compliance gaps.

Validator Behavior

·Generates validation warning
·Rejected by PEPPOL Access Points
·Error returned: BR-NL-02
·Specification: peppol-bis-3

How to Fix It

Get BTW-nummer

Format: NL123456789B01 (B + 2-digit suffix)

Add to invoice

Place in PartyTaxScheme/CompanyID

Include scheme

Add VAT as TaxScheme ID

XML Example

Generic example based on the rule's target XPath. Your actual XML structure may differ.

Before

<!-- Incorrect value -->
<cbc:CompanyID>INVALID</cbc:CompanyID>

After

<!-- Corrected value -->
<cbc:CompanyID>VALID_VALUE</cbc:CompanyID>

Technical Reference

XPathXPath: /Invoice/cac:AccountingSupplierParty/cac:Party/cac:PartyTaxScheme/cbc:CompanyID

Specpeppol-bis-3

Code Example

<cac:PartyTaxScheme>
  <cbc:CompanyID>NL123456789B01</cbc:CompanyID>
  <cac:TaxScheme>
    <cbc:ID>VAT</cbc:ID>
  </cac:TaxScheme>
</cac:PartyTaxScheme>

Common Causes

·Missing suffix (B01)
·Using old number format
·Number not active

Seeing this in production? The API handles BR-NL-02 automatically. See the fix response →

Commonly Seen In

Exact Online →Twinfield →AFAS →Snelstart

Frequently Asked Questions

Dutch invoices should include the BTW-nummer (VAT number) in format NL + 9 digits + B + 2 digits.

Add Dutch VAT number in correct format. Invoice Navigator detects this error and prompts for the required business data before applying a safe fix.

BR-NL-02 is a warning that may not always cause rejection, but it indicates a potential compliance issue that should be addressed to ensure full compatibility.

BR-NL-02 requires specific business data to resolve. Invoice Navigator detects the error and guides you through providing the needed information, then applies the fix with full audit documentation.

BR-NL-02 is commonly seen in exports from Exact Online, Twinfield, AFAS, Snelstart. These software packages sometimes generate invoices that need adjustment to meet full compliance standards.

Resolve BR-NL-02 with Guided Input

The compliance engine detects this error and prompts for the required business data before applying a safe, auditable fix.

Get API Access View API Documentation

BR-NL-02:Dutch BTW number recommended