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E-invoice error explained

BR-16: Invoice has no line

Every EN 16931 e-invoice needs at least one line.

What the rule checks

Every EN 16931 e-invoice needs at least one line. An invoice that only states a total in the header is not allowed. This also applies to down payment invoices and credit notes.

Official rule text

An Invoice shall have at least one Invoice line (BG-25).

Source: KoSIT configuration XRechnung 3.0.2 (31 Jan 2026).

Typical causes

  • A down payment or progress invoice has only a header amount and no line.
  • The export filters out text, zero or comment lines and no line is left.
  • A summary invoice only refers to delivery notes without lines of its own.

How to fix it

Write at least one ram:IncludedSupplyChainTradeLineItem with quantity, net price, VAT category and line amount. For a down payment invoice one line for the down payment itself is enough, for example "Down payment 30 % for order A-4711".

Example

Wrong (CII)

<rsm:SupplyChainTradeTransaction>
  <ram:ApplicableHeaderTradeAgreement>...</ram:ApplicableHeaderTradeAgreement>
  <ram:ApplicableHeaderTradeDelivery/>
  <ram:ApplicableHeaderTradeSettlement>...</ram:ApplicableHeaderTradeSettlement>
</rsm:SupplyChainTradeTransaction>

Right (CII)

<rsm:SupplyChainTradeTransaction>
  <ram:IncludedSupplyChainTradeLineItem>
    <ram:AssociatedDocumentLineDocument><ram:LineID>1</ram:LineID></ram:AssociatedDocumentLineDocument>
    <ram:SpecifiedTradeProduct><ram:Name>Anzahlung 30 %</ram:Name></ram:SpecifiedTradeProduct>
    <!-- agreement, delivery (quantity), settlement (tax, line amount) -->
  </ram:IncludedSupplyChainTradeLineItem>
  <ram:ApplicableHeaderTradeAgreement>...</ram:ApplicableHeaderTradeAgreement>
  <ram:ApplicableHeaderTradeDelivery/>
  <ram:ApplicableHeaderTradeSettlement>...</ram:ApplicableHeaderTradeSettlement>
</rsm:SupplyChainTradeTransaction>

In Dynamics 365, Business Central and Finance

Sales / Project Operations: Sales and Project Operations have no e-invoice output out of the box. In the WBS Invoice Accelerator for Dynamics 365 the lines come from the Invoice lines tab or the editor. For down payment invoices the Accelerator writes one line for the down payment.

Related error codes

All error codes

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