errorDEPEPPOL_BIS

DE-R-004:The element "Seller post code" (BT-38) shall be provided.

Seller postal code is missing. German invoices must include the seller's postal code (BT-38).

Why This Error Matters

Invoice will be rejected by German XRechnung validators. Germany has additional mandatory fields beyond EN16931 baseline, including seller contact details, complete addresses, and buyer reference (Leitweg-ID).

Common Causes

  • German invoice missing seller post code
  • BT-38 Seller post code element empty or absent
  • cbc:PostalZone in seller address not provided
  • Seller postal address incomplete for XRechnung
  • German validation requires seller postal code

Frequently Asked Questions

Seller postal code is missing. German invoices must include the seller's postal code (BT-38).
Seller postal code is missing. German invoices must include the seller's postal code (BT-38). You can also use Invoice Navigator's automatic Fixer tool to correct this instantly.
Yes, DE-R-004 is a critical error that will cause invoice rejection. It must be fixed before submission to ensure your invoice is accepted.
Many instances of DE-R-004 can be automatically corrected using Invoice Navigator's Fixer tool. Upload your invoice and the tool will identify and fix common issues.

See Also

🇩🇪

E-Invoicing in Germany

Requirements & common errors

Last updated: 16 January 2026

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