Reference
Markdown exportBT-38 Seller Post Code
The postal code of the area where the seller's address is located. For Germany, this is a 5-digit code.
Quick answer
Seller details
Who issued the invoice and how the recipient can identify that business reliably.
Quick actions
In plain language
The postal code of the area where the seller's address is located. For Germany, this is a 5-digit code.
The postal code of the area where the seller's address is located. For Germany, this is a 5-digit code.
Essential for postal routing and geographic classification of the seller's business location
What you usually enter here
5-digit code for Germany, varying formats for other countries
Typical valid values include: 80331, 10115, 20095, 60311
Mandatory field for complete address specification according to EN 16931 and German postal regulations
What goes wrong often
Avoid values like: 8033, 803311, D-80331, 80331 München
Relevant rule codes: BR-DE-4
Examples in context
Essential for postal routing and geographic classification of the seller's business location
Mandatory field for complete address specification according to EN 16931 and German postal regulations
Valid Examples
- 80331
- 10115
- 20095
- 60311
- 40213
- 70173
Invalid Examples
- 8033
- 803311
- D-80331
- 80331 München
- PLZ 80331
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-38
Data Type:
text
Cardinality:
1..1
Requirement:
Mandatory
Max Length:
20 characters
Since Version:
XRechnung 1.0+
XML Implementation
/Invoice/cac:AccountingSupplierParty/cac:Party/cac:PostalAddress/cbc:PostalZone/CrossIndustryInvoice/SupplyChainTradeTransaction/ApplicableHeaderTradeAgreement/ram:SellerTradeParty/ram:PostalTradeAddress/ram:PostcodeCodeValidation Rules
BR-DE-4
BR-DE-4
Next step
Check whether your XRechnung sets BT-38 correctly
Upload the XML file to the free validator. It applies the KoSIT rules for XRechnung 3.0 and names each finding with its rule ID, for this field for example BR-DE-4. Creating a new invoice instead? The converter checks the invoice against the same rules and shows the findings before download.
Free, no account needed. XML file up to 2 MB.
Why the standard cares about this field
Business Context
Essential for postal routing and geographic classification of the seller's business location
Legal Requirement
Mandatory field for complete address specification according to EN 16931 and German postal regulations
FAQ
What is the format for German postal codes?
German postal codes consist of exactly 5 digits (e.g., 80331 for Munich center, 10115 for Berlin Mitte). No spaces, hyphens, or country prefixes should be included.
Should I include leading zeros?
Yes, always include leading zeros to maintain the 5-digit format. For example, use "01067" for Dresden, not "1067".
What about PO Box postal codes?
PO Boxes may have different postal codes than street addresses in the same city. Use the specific postal code assigned to the PO Box.
How do I handle international postal codes?
For non-German addresses, use the postal code format of the respective country. Do not include country prefixes - the country code is specified separately in BT-40.