EN 16931 code lists

Several EN 16931 invoice fields must contain a code from a mandated list, not free text.

Definition

For an invoice to be processed automatically by software, some information cannot be entered as free text: it must come from a known code list. EN 16931 references a set of mandated lists whose values are checked during validation.

Main mandated lists

• UNTDID 1001 — document type (BT-3), e.g. 380 commercial invoice;
• UNTDID 5305 — VAT category (BT-95, BT-102…), e.g. S, Z, E, AE;
• UNTDID 4461 — payment means (BT-81), e.g. 30 credit transfer;
• ISO 4217 — currency (BT-5);
• ISO 3166-1 — country code (BT-40, BT-55…);
• VATEX — VAT exemption reason (BT-121).

Good to know

Using a value outside the list causes the EN 16931 Schematron validation to fail and makes the invoice non-compliant. Code lists are versioned: a receiver must accept the version in force on the invoice issue date.