BR-E-01

What does this rule mean?

An exempt line, allowance or charge ("Exempt from VAT") exists, but there is no matching VAT breakdown (BG-23) with category "E".

Every VAT category used must have exactly one breakdown — for exempt amounts one with code "E".

BG-20

Document level allowances (group)

BG-21

Document level charges (group)

BG-23

VAT breakdown (group)

BG-25

Invoice line (group)

BT-95

Document level allowance VAT category code

BT-102

Document level charge VAT category code

BT-118

VAT category code (UNCL 5305)

BT-151

Invoiced item VAT category code (UNCL 5305)

Where the rule applies

Syntax: CII · UBL

The same rule, expressed twice: UBL and CII name the same fields with different paths. Running a CII file against the UBL rules is why you get errors that mean nothing.

Technical test

The rule passes when this Schematron expression holds true:

(count(//ram:ApplicableHeaderTradeSettlement/ram:ApplicableTradeTax[ram:CategoryCode='E'])=0 and count(//ram:SpecifiedLineTradeSettlement/ram:ApplicableTradeTax[ram:CategoryCode='E'])=0 and count(//ram:CategoryTradeTax[ram:CategoryCode='E'])=0) or ( count(//ram:ApplicableHeaderTradeSettlement/ram:ApplicableTradeTax[ram:CategoryCode='E'])=1 and (exists(//ram:SpecifiedLineTradeSettlement/ram:ApplicableTradeTax[ram:CategoryCode='E']) or exists(//ram:CategoryTradeTax[ram:CategoryCode='E'])))

How to fix it

Touches amounts, VAT or IBAN. We never change these automatically — correct them in your source data.

Add a VAT breakdown (BG-23) with category code "E" (Exempt from VAT).

Correct the affected entry in your XML, then re-check the invoice. Validation runs locally in your browser — your file never leaves your machine.

Related rules

• BR-E-02An Invoice that contains an Invoice line (BG-25) where the Invoiced item VAT category code (BT-151) is "Exempt from VAT" shall contain the Seller VAT Identifier (BT-31), the Seller tax registration identifier (BT-32) and/or the Seller tax representative VAT identifier (BT-63).
• BR-E-03An Invoice that contains a Document level allowance (BG-20) where the Document level allowance VAT category code (BT-95) is "Exempt from VAT" shall contain the Seller VAT Identifier (BT-31), the Seller tax registration identifier (BT-32) and/or the Seller tax representative VAT identifier (BT-63).
• BR-E-04An Invoice that contains a Document level charge (BG-21) where the Document level charge VAT category code (BT-102) is "Exempt from VAT" shall contain the Seller VAT Identifier (BT-31), the Seller tax registration identifier (BT-32) and/or the Seller tax representative VAT identifier (BT-63).
• BR-E-05In an Invoice line (BG-25) where the Invoiced item VAT category code (BT-151) is "Exempt from VAT", the Invoiced item VAT rate (BT-152) shall be 0 (zero).
• BR-E-06In a Document level allowance (BG-20) where the Document level allowance VAT category code (BT-95) is "Exempt from VAT", the Document level allowance VAT rate (BT-96) shall be 0 (zero).
• BR-E-07In a Document level charge (BG-21) where the Document level charge VAT category code (BT-102) is "Exempt from VAT", the Document level charge VAT rate (BT-103) shall be 0 (zero).