The "EDIFACT" in UN/EDIFACT stands for
"Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce and
Transport." Although it's birthplace is in Europe, it is considered
to be the primary standard for international trade using EDI. It is the
standard used in Hong Kong and China.
UN/EDIFACT refers to the documents exchanged as "Messages."
Message structures are made up of "segments"
and "segment
groups." UN/EDIFACT data within a message, must appear in the
order presented in the message structure definition.
Enveloping and Transmission
Structures
UN/EDIFACT data is transmitted in packages referred to
as interchanges. The interchange is the outermost layer of a
hierarchical grouping of data. Each of the major layers is bounded by
special segments known as envelope segments. Here is the relation of the
different enveloping segments used in UN/EDIFACT transmissions:
UNA (default separator override segment)
UNB (interchange header) ------------+
UNG (functional group header) --------+I
UNH (message header) ------------+II
<message data> ----------------III
UNT (message trailer) ----------+II
UNE (functional group trailer) --+I
UNZ (interchange trailer) --------+
|
Here are the rules for usage:
- The UNA
is used if and only if you are using separator characters other than those
defined for the character set you are using. (See the section on
default separator characters.)
- The UNB
is always required (so is the corresponding UNZ).
It contains information which is used to transfer the data to a particular
trading partner. All the data between the UNB and UNZ is delivered
to the same trading partner.
- The UNG
is optional (the UNE
is required only if the UNG
is used, otherwise it must not be used). UNG contains information
about the type of messages contained within (all must be of the same type)
and also provides routing information to help get the data to the
appropriate application or party within the trading partner organization.
(Note: According to UN/EDIFACT documentation, UNG and UNE are required
within interchanges transmitted to or from North America.)
- Every message must be bounded by a UNH
and a UNT.
- If UNG/UNE is used (a block from UNG/UNE is known
as a Functional Group), there can be multiple Functional Groups within a
single interchange.
- If UNG/UNE is not used, there can be many
individual messages of any type within a single interchange.
- Within an interchange, it is possible to transmit
either functional groups or individual messages but not both.
More information on the structure and usage of
envelopes in UN/EDIFACT is available in ISO 9735 Version 2 (the ISO standard
which defines the syntax for UN/EDIFACT). There is a new specification
called ISO 9735 Version 4 which extends some of the basic concepts to include
additional envelopes and some other structural features. Most of these
new concepts are presented in the UN/EDIFACT syntax section of our Future
Issues page. You can also download copies of the official ISO 9735
V4 PDF files right here:
Message
Directory (D.99A)
APERAK Application error and acknowledgement message
AUTHOR Authorization message
BALANC Balance message
BANSTA Banking status message
BAPLIE Bayplan/stowage plan occupied and empty locations message
BAPLTE Bayplan/stowage plan total numbers message
BMISRM Bulk marine inspection summary report message
BOPBNK Bank transactions and portfolio transactions report message
BOPCUS Balance of payment customer transaction report message
BOPDIR Direct balance of payment declaration message
BOPINF Balance of payment information from customer message
CALINF Vessel call information message
CASINT Request for legal administration action in civil proceedings message
CASRES Legal administration response in civil proceedings message
CHACCO Chart of accounts message
CLASET Classification information set message
CNTCND Contractual conditions message
COARRI Container discharge/loading report message
CODECO Container gate-in/gate-out report message
CODENO Permit expiration/clearance ready notice message
COEDOR Container stock report message
COHAOR Container special handling order message
COLREQ Request for a documentary collection message
COMDIS Commercial dispute message
CONAPW Advice on pending works message
CONDPV Direct payment valuation message
CONDRA Drawing administration message
CONDRO Drawing organisation message
CONEST Establishment of contract message
CONITT Invitation to tender message
CONPVA Payment valuation message
CONQVA Quantity valuation message
CONRPW Response of pending works message
CONTEN Tender message
CONWQD Work item quantity determination message
COPARN Container announcement message
COPINO Container pre-notification message
COPRAR Container discharge/loading order message
COREOR Container release order message
COSTCO Container stuffing/stripping confirmation message
COSTOR Container stuffing/stripping order message
CREADV Credit advice message
CREEXT Extended credit advice message
CREMUL Multiple credit advice message
CUSCAR Customs cargo report message
CUSDEC Customs declaration message
CUSEXP Customs express consignment declaration message
CUSPED Periodic customs declaration message
CUSREP Customs conveyance report message
CUSRES Customs response message
DEBADV Debit advice message
DEBMUL Multiple debit advice message
DELFOR Delivery schedule message
DELJIT Delivery just in time message
DESADV Despatch advice message
DESTIM Equipment damage and repair estimate message
DGRECA Dangerous goods recapitulation message
DIRDEB Direct debit message
DIRDEF Directory definition message
DMRDEF Data maintenance request definition message
DMSTAT Data maintenance status report/query message
DOCADV Documentary credit advice message
DOCAMA Advice of an amendment of a documentary credit message
DOCAMI Documentary credit amendment information message
DOCAMR Request for an amendment of a documentary credit message
DOCAPP Documentary credit application message
DOCARE Response to an amendment of a documentary credit message
DOCINF Documentary credit issuance information message
ENTREC Accounting entries message
FINCAN Financial cancellation message
FINPAY Multiple interbank funds transfer message
FINSTA Financial statement of an account message
GENRAL General purpose message
GESMES Generic statistical message
HANMOV Cargo/goods handling and movement message
IFCSUM Forwarding and consolidation summary message
IFTCCA Forwarding and transport shipment charge calculation message
IFTDGN Dangerous goods notification message
IFTFCC International transport freight costs and other charges message
IFTIAG Dangerous cargo list message
IFTMAN Arrival notice message
IFTMBC Booking confirmation message
IFTMBF Firm booking message
IFTMBP Provisional booking message
IFTMCS Instruction contract status message
IFTMIN Instruction message
IFTRIN Forwarding and transport rate information message
IFTSAI Forwarding and transport schedule and availability information message
IFTSTA International multimodal status report message
IFTSTQ International multimodal status request message
IMPDEF Edi implementation guide definition message
INFENT Enterprise accounting information message
INSDES Instruction to despatch message
INSPRE Insurance premium message
INSREQ Inspection request message
INSRPT Inspection report message
INVOIC Invoice message
INVRPT Inventory report message
IPPOMO Motor insurance policy message
ITRRPT In transit report detail message
JAPRES Job application result message
JINFDE Job information demand message
JOBAPP Job application proposal message
JOBCON Job order confirmation message
JOBMOD Job order modification message
JOBOFF Job order message
LREACT Life reinsurance activity message
LRECLM Life reinsurance claims message
MEDPID Person identification message
MEDREQ Medical service request message
MEDRPT Medical service report message
MEDRUC Medical resource usage and cost message
MEQPOS Means of transport and equipment position message
MOVINS Stowage instruction message
MSCONS Metered services consumption report message
ORDCHG Purchase order change request message
ORDERS Purchase order message
ORDRSP Purchase order response message
OSTENQ Order status enquiry message
OSTRPT Order status report message
PARTIN Party information message
PAXLST Passenger list message
PAYDUC Payroll deductions advice message
PAYEXT Extended payment order message
PAYMUL Multiple payment order message
PAYORD Payment order message
PRICAT Price/sales catalogue message
PRIHIS Pricing history message
PRODAT Product data message
PRODEX Product exchange reconciliation message
PROINQ Product inquiry message
PROTAP Project tasks planning message
PRPAID Insurance premium payment message
QALITY Quality data message
QUOTES Quote message
RDRMES Raw data reporting message
REBORD Reinsurance bordereau message
RECADV Receiving advice message
RECALC Reinsurance calculation message
RECECO Credit risk cover message
RECLAM Reinsurance claims message
REMADV Remittance advice message
REPREM Reinsurance premium message
REQDOC Request for document message
REQOTE Request for quote message
RESETT Reinsurance settlement message
RESMSG Reservation message
RETACC Reinsurance technical account message
RETANN Announcement for returns message
RETINS Instruction for returns message
SAFHAZ Safety and hazard data message
SANCRT International movement of goods governmental regulatory message
SLSFCT Sales forecast message
SLSRPT Sales data report message
SOCADE Social administration message
SSIMOD Modification of identity details message
SSRECH Worker's insurance history message
SSREGW Notification of registration of a worker message
STATAC Statement of account message
STLRPT Settlement transaction reporting message
SUPCOT Superannuation contributions advice message
SUPMAN Superannuation maintenance message
SUPRES Supplier response message
TANSTA Tank status report message
VATDEC Value added tax message
VESDEP Vessel departure message
WASDIS Waste disposal information message
WKGRDC Work grant decision message
WKGRRE Work grant request message
