How To Fix WS870 - No identification object was entered for the invoicing party

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WS - Supplier Billing Document

• Message number: 870

• Message text: No identification object was entered for the invoicing party

What causes this issue?

For the settlement document type &V1&, settings have been made so that
the invoicing party is not determined directly but rather by means of an
identification object. However, no identification object was
transferred.

System Response

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

How to fix this error?

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WS870 - No identification object was entered for the invoicing party ?

  SAP Error Message:
  
  WS870 - No identification object was entered for the invoicing party
  
  Cause:
  This error occurs when the system expects an identification object (such as a tax number, VAT ID, or other required identification data) for the invoicing party in a billing document or related transaction, but none has been entered or maintained. The invoicing party is typically the customer or business partner who is being billed, and certain legal or business requirements mandate that specific identification data must be present for invoicing or tax reporting purposes.
  
  When does it occur?
  
  During billing document creation (e.g., invoice, credit memo).
  When the invoicing party's master data lacks mandatory identification objects.
  When the system is configured to require identification objects for invoicing parties (e.g., for tax compliance).
  In countries or scenarios where tax IDs or other identification numbers are mandatory on invoices.
  
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Maintain Identification Object in Customer Master:
  
  Go to the customer master data (transaction XD02 or VD02 for sales area data).
  Navigate to the relevant tab where identification objects are maintained (e.g., Tax Numbers, Identification Numbers).
  Enter the required identification object (e.g., VAT registration number, tax ID).
  Save the changes.
  
  
  
  Check Partner Functions in the Billing Document:
  
  Verify that the correct invoicing party is assigned in the billing document.
  Ensure that the invoicing party has the required identification object maintained.
  
  
  
  Review Configuration Settings:
  
  Check if the system is set to require identification objects for invoicing parties.
  This can be controlled via customizing in SD or FI modules, depending on country-specific settings.
  For example, in transaction OBYZ or country-specific tax settings, verify if identification objects are mandatory.
  
  
  
  Update or Correct the Billing Document:
  
  If the billing document was created without the identification object, correct the invoicing party data or recreate the document after maintaining the required data.
  
  
  
  Check Partner Determination Procedures:
  
  Ensure that the partner determination procedure assigns the correct invoicing party with proper master data.
  
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Identification Objects: These are data elements like tax numbers, VAT IDs, or other legal identifiers required for invoicing and tax reporting.
  Partner Functions: The invoicing party is a partner function in sales documents; correct assignment and master data maintenance are crucial.
  Country-Specific Requirements: Many countries require tax IDs on invoices for legal compliance; SAP enforces this via configuration.
  Transactions to Use:
  
  XD02 / VD02 - Change Customer Master
  VF01 - Create Billing Document
  OBYZ - Tax settings (country-specific)
  
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes related to WS870 for any patches or updates if the problem persists.
  
  
  Summary:
  Error WS870 indicates missing mandatory identification data for the invoicing party. To resolve it, maintain the required identification object in the customer master data and ensure the correct invoicing party is assigned in the billing document. Also, verify system configuration for mandatory identification objects based on country and business requirements.