The document type code states what kind of business document is being sent. It sits in cbc:InvoiceTypeCode for an invoice and cbc:CreditNoteTypeCode for a credit note, and it is restricted to a Peppol subset of UN/CEFACT code list UNCL1001, version D.16B. Document type and amount signs must be interpreted together: a UBL CreditNote with code 381 is a credit note, while a UBL Invoice with code 380 may also perform a crediting function when its amounts are negative.

Peppol BIS Billing supports both credit notes and negative invoices. A UBL CreditNote is identified by the document syntax and its cbc:CreditNoteTypeCode; code 381 covers the general credit-note case. The specification also permits negative amounts and negative grand totals in invoices and credit notes.

A UBL Invoice with type code 380 can therefore carry negative totals when used to credit a previous transaction. Item net price and item gross price must remain non-negative, while quantities, line amounts and document totals may use the signs required by the transaction. Receiving systems must support both the credit-note and negative-invoice patterns described in Peppol BIS Billing. Country-specific rules can narrow the general model; for example, DK-R-016 prohibits a negative payable amount in a credit note from a Danish supplier.

Common codes in Billing profiles 01 and 02 include 380 for a commercial invoice and 386 for a prepayment invoice. Code 389 identifies a self-billed invoice but is not permitted by the validation rule for profiles 01 and 02. Codes 326 and 384 are restricted to transactions in which both buyer and seller are German organizations.

381 is the general credit-note code.

Peppol rule PEPPOL-EN16931-P0112 permits invoice type codes 326 and 384 only when both buyer and seller are German organizations. The rule is fatal, so either code fails validation when one of the parties is outside Germany.

Code 384 identifies a corrected invoice in the Germany-to-Germany context. German rule DE-R-026 states that a preceding invoice reference should be included when code 384 is used. Code 326 identifies a partial invoice and is subject to the same Germany-only restriction. For other country combinations, use a document type permitted by the applicable Peppol rules and correction process.

The Peppol invoice code list contains 27 codes and the credit-note code list 5. The business profile can narrow these values further. For example, PEPPOL-EN16931-P0100 excludes self-billed invoice code 389 from Billing profiles 01 and 02. A code that is valid UN/CEFACT but not permitted by the relevant code list or profile fails validation.

Release 3.0.21 added optional profile 02 for billing processes that require an Invoice Response. It has its own process identifier and requires separate SMP registration. The accepted document type codes remain governed by the applicable code-list and validation rules.

Peppol BIS Billing supports more than one correction pattern. The appropriate method depends on the business case, the buyer’s process and any applicable national requirements.

A credit note can reverse all or part of an earlier invoice. Use a UBL CreditNote with type code 381 and include the relevant preceding invoice reference when required by the correction process. The amounts may be positive or negative according to the transaction being represented.

This fragment uses positive amounts. The document is a credit note because it is a UBL CreditNote carrying code 381.

A negative invoice is another supported way to credit a previous transaction. Use a UBL Invoice with type code 380 and negative amounts for the values being reversed. Prices remain non-negative.

These XML samples are fragments, not complete valid documents. Confirm the correction method and required references with the buyer before sending. Type code 384 is an option only when both parties are German organizations.