Reference
Markdown exportBT-10 Buyer Reference
A buyer-assigned value used to route the invoice inside the buyer’s organisation
BT-10 (Buyer reference) carries a reference assigned by the buyer. It is mandatory in XRechnung and optional in base EN 16931. Use the exact value from the buyer; for some German B2G invoices this is a Leitweg-ID such as 04011000-12345-35.
BT-10 · EN 16931 / XRechnung 3.x
BT Reference Card
Key EN 16931 and XRechnung facts for this business term.
- BT code
BT-10- Name
- Buyer Reference
- Cardinality
- Mandatory (M) — XRechnung; Optional (O) — EN 16931
- Business group
- BG-2 PROCESS CONTROL
- Data type
- Text
- Example value
04011000-12345-35- Common error
- BR-DE-15: A Buyer reference (BT-10) must be present. Use the exact value supplied by the buyer; a public-sector buyer may supply a Leitweg-ID.
- XRechnung note
- XRechnung promotes BT-10 from optional to mandatory through BR-DE-15. That rule requires the field but does not define every valid value. Use the buyer’s order, contract, or portal instructions; use a Leitweg-ID only when the buyer assigned one.
Quick answer
A buyer-assigned value used to route the invoice inside the buyer’s organisation
Invoice basics
Core document identifiers, dates, process identifiers, and high-level invoice context.
Quick actions
In plain language
A buyer-assigned value used to route the invoice inside the buyer’s organisation
A buyer-assigned value used to route the invoice inside the buyer’s organisation
BT-10 routes an invoice inside the buyer’s system. In German public-sector workflows, the assigned value is often a Leitweg-ID, but it can be another buyer reference.
What you usually enter here
Buyer-provided text or identifier; copy the assigned value exactly
Typical valid values include: 04011000-26158-01, PO-2026-0042, COST-CENTER-4100, PROJECT-ALPHA
BR-DE-15 requires BT-10 in XRechnung. Use the exact value supplied by the buyer, order, contract, or receiving portal.
What goes wrong often
Avoid values like: ,
Relevant rule codes: BR-DE-15
Examples in context
BT-10 routes an invoice inside the buyer’s system. In German public-sector workflows, the assigned value is often a Leitweg-ID, but it can be another buyer reference.
BR-DE-15 requires BT-10 in XRechnung. Use the exact value supplied by the buyer, order, contract, or receiving portal.
Valid Examples
- 04011000-26158-01
- PO-2026-0042
- COST-CENTER-4100
- PROJECT-ALPHA
XML mapping and field facts
Open the technical reference if you need XML paths, validator rule codes, legal wording, or schema-specific mapping details.
Field ID:
BT-10
Data Type:
text
Cardinality:
1..1
Requirement:
Mandatory
Max Length:
250 characters
Since Version:
XRechnung 1.0+
XML Implementation
/Invoice/cbc:BuyerReference/CrossIndustryInvoice/SupplyChainTradeTransaction/ApplicableHeaderTradeAgreement/ram:BuyerReferenceValidation Rules
BR-DE-15
Buyer Reference (BT-10) must be provided
Next step
Check whether BT-10 is present in your XRechnung
The free validator reports a missing buyer reference under BR-DE-15. It checks that the field is present, not whether the value is the buyer’s correct Leitweg-ID. Only the buyer can confirm that value.
Free, no account needed. XML file up to 2 MB.
Why the standard cares about this field
Business Context
BT-10 routes an invoice inside the buyer’s system. In German public-sector workflows, the assigned value is often a Leitweg-ID, but it can be another buyer reference.
Legal Requirement
BR-DE-15 requires BT-10 in XRechnung. Use the exact value supplied by the buyer, order, contract, or receiving portal.
FAQ
Is BT-10 always a Leitweg-ID?
No. XRechnung requires the Buyer Reference in BT-10, but the buyer decides its value. Use a Leitweg-ID only when the buyer or receiving channel assigns or requires one.