Reference data · EN 16931 · free

The code lists of the e-invoice in one place.

An e-invoice is an invoice as a structured XML file that a program can read. Much of its data consists of codes, from the document type to the tax category to the unit of measure. EN 16931, the European standard for the content of an e-invoice, defines in code lists which codes are allowed. A code list is a defined list of allowed values, for example the currency codes. These lists apply to XRechnung, to ZUGFeRD and Factur-X invoices and to Peppol invoices.

Here you find all these lists in their current version, free and without registration, each with a searchable table. For each list, the fields (BT) in which it is used are shown. BT stands for Business Term, the numbered fields of EN 16931.

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UN/EDIFACT · UNTDID

What kind of invoice, which tax, which payment.

Most codes of an e-invoice come from the United Nations directory for electronic trade (UNTDID). These codes describe the document type, the tax category, the payment means, and allowances and charges.

Field BT-81
payment means of the invoice

Code list UNTDID 4461
allowed payment means

Code “58”
SEPA credit transfer

How field, code list and code fit together: the field BT-81 may only contain a code from UNTDID 4461, for example “58” for a SEPA credit transfer.

UNTDID 1001Document typeThe list says what kind of document it is: invoice, credit note, partial invoice, final invoice or another document type.BT-3View list UNTDID 1153Reference typesThe list states what kind of reference lies behind an object reference on the invoice.BT-18-1BT-128-1View list UNTDID 2005 / 2475Date typeThe list defines what the tax point date refers to, for example the invoice date or the delivery date.BT-8View list UNTDID 4451Subject of a noteWith this list you assign a free-text note on the invoice to a subject.BT-21View list UNTDID 4461Payment meansThe list says how the invoice is paid, for example “58” for a SEPA credit transfer or “59” for a SEPA direct debit.BT-81View list UNTDID 5189Reasons for allowancesThe list names the reason for an allowance, for the whole invoice as well as for a single line.BT-98BT-140View list UNTDID 5305Tax categoriesThe list contains the VAT categories, for example “S” for the standard rate or “AE” for reverse charge.BT-95BT-102BT-118BT-151View list UNTDID 7143Item classificationThe list names the scheme by which an item is classified, for example eCl@ss or CPV.BT-158-1View list UNTDID 7161Reasons for chargesThe list names the reason for a charge, for example freight or packaging.BT-105BT-145View list

ISO and UN/ECE

Countries, currencies, units, identifiers.

International standards provide the codes for countries and currencies, the units of measure of every line and the schemes that identifiers such as GLN or DUNS come from.

ISO 3166-1Country codesThe list contains the two-letter country codes such as DE, AT or FR that appear in all addresses.BT-40BT-55BT-69BT-80BT-159View list ISO 4217CurrenciesThe list contains the codes for the currency of the invoice and of the tax amounts, for example EUR or CHF.BT-5BT-6View list ISO/IEC 6523 · ICDIdentifier schemesThe list says which scheme an identifier of the buyer, the seller or an item comes from, for example GLN or DUNS.BT-29-1BT-30-1BT-46-1BT-47-1BT-60-1BT-61-1BT-71-1BT-157-1View list UN/ECE Rec. 20Units of measureThe list contains the unit of every line, such as piece (H87), hour (HUR) or kilogram (KGM), and about 1,700 more units.BT-130BT-150View list UN/ECE Rec. 21Packaging typesThe list contains codes for packages and packaging and so complements the units of measure.View list

EU and others

Addresses, tax exemption, attachments.

The European Commission maintains the schemes for electronic addresses and the reasons for VAT exemption. In addition, there are the file formats of embedded attachments.

EASElectronic addressesThe list names the scheme of the electronic address of the buyer and the seller, for example the German Leitweg-ID (0204) or the Peppol ID.BT-34-1BT-49-1View list VATEXReasons for VAT exemptionIf a line is exempt from VAT (category “E” and others), a VATEX code names the exact reason under the EU directive or national law.BT-121View list MIMEFile formats of attachmentsThe list contains the allowed file formats for embedded documents, for example application/pdf or image/png.BT-125-1View list

VAT IDVAT identification numbersThis is not a code list but a separate format per country. You can check a VAT ID with the /check route of the API, which requires an API key.BT-31BT-48BT-63no list of its own

VATEX and UNTDID 5305 belong together: If a line carries the VAT category “E” (exempt), the invoice must also give a VATEX code or a free text that states the reason for the exemption.

VAT category “E”
from UNTDID 5305: exempt

Reason for the exemption
VATEX code or free text

If you use the VAT category “E”, you must state the reason for the exemption as a VATEX code or as free text.

Every list also through the API, free and without a key.

All code lists are available through the e-Invoice REST API, free and without a key, as a whole list or as a single code. Every response names the data version, so your program knows how current the list is. An example: GET /wp-json/einvoice-api/v1/codelists/untdid_4461

A code list tells you which codes are allowed. Only a validation can tell you whether a whole invoice is valid, and the REST API offers that as well.