BR-DE-2 Seller contact missing (also BR-DE-5, -6, -7)

XRechnung requires a contact at the seller with name, phone number and email address. If the whole group is missing you get BR-DE-2. If only part is missing you get BR-DE-5 (name), BR-DE-6 (phone) or BR-DE-7 (email).

The message in the validation report

[BR-DE-2] Die Gruppe "SELLER CONTACT" (BG-6) muss übermittelt werden.

Common causes

• Phone or email is empty in the software’s company profile.
• The details are only in the PDF letterhead, not in the data.
• The invoice was made as ZUGFeRD, where these fields are optional; in XRechnung they are mandatory.

How to fix it

1. Add a contact person (or a department such as “Accounts”).
2. Add a phone number and email address for questions about the invoice.
3. Create the invoice again.

What it should look like (XRechnung, CII syntax)

<ram:SellerTradeParty>
  <ram:Name>Muster Haustechnik GmbH</ram:Name>
  <ram:DefinedTradeContact>
    <ram:PersonName>Sandra Beispiel</ram:PersonName>
    <ram:TelephoneUniversalCommunication>
      <ram:CompleteNumber>040 1234567</ram:CompleteNumber>
    </ram:TelephoneUniversalCommunication>
    <ram:EmailURIUniversalCommunication>
      <ram:URIID>[email protected]</ram:URIID>
    </ram:EmailURIUniversalCommunication>
  </ram:DefinedTradeContact>
  ...

Want to read or check an invoice you received? Open XRechnung · Check invoice

More error codes

• BR-DE-15Leitweg-ID / buyer reference missing
• BR-DE-1Payment instructions missing
• BR-DE-21Not an XRechnung (wrong specification identifier)
• BR-DE-23-aCredit transfer without IBAN
• BR-DE-18Skonto (cash discount) in the wrong format
• BR-CO-10Sum of line amounts does not match
• BR-CO-15Gross total is not net plus VAT
• BR-S-08VAT breakdown per rate does not match
• BR-CL-23Invalid unit code (e.g. “Stk”)

Guides to German e-invoicing

• Open an XRechnung and save it as PDF
• ZUGFeRD or XRechnung: which one do I need?
• E-invoices for small businesses under § 19 UStG
• Sending an XRechnung to a German authority

Rule text from the official KoSIT validation rules (XRechnung 3.0.2, EN 16931). General technical explanation, not tax or legal advice.