What is UN/EDIFACT Standard and Messages?

UN/EDIFACT (United Nations/Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce, and Transport is the international standard that was developed by the United Nations). Comprise a set of internationally agreed standards, directories, and guidelines for the electronic interchange of structured data, between independent computerized information systems. The work of maintenance and further development of this standard is done through the United Nations Center for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) under the UN Economic Commission for Europe.

EDIFACT has served as the default international EDI standard for several decades and is largely used throughout Europe.

EDIFACT Message Structure

An EDIFACT message represents a single business document. – For example, an ORDRSP file represents a Purchase Order note. Each message has a six-letter identifier that shows the short name of the message.

Any document in the UN / EDIFACT standard has a hierarchical structure. The entire electronic document is called a message. A message consists of data groups combined in some way, for example, a data group describing customs payments, a group of data describing the attributes of documents, etc. In turn, the group consists of typical data segments that describe document attributes in more detail. The standard provides about 200 different types of segments from which messages are composed. The segments themselves also have a hierarchical structure and consist of data elements that can be simple (data field) and composite (usually 2-3 data fields).

The following is the structure of an EDIFACT transmission:

Service String Advice
Interchange Header
Functional Group Header
Message Header
User Data Segments
Message Trailer
Functional Group Trailer
Interchange Trailer

Benefits of UN/EDIFACT

UN/EDIFACT allows real-time electronic transactions and accelerates the interactions between trading partners.

3 main benefits of UN/EDIFACT standards are,

Accuracy – Eliminates human errors that are inevitable when manually entering the data
Improve Cashflow – Reducing paper-based processing will in turn reduce your business administrative costs and save thousands of dollars for business
Efficiency – Large volumes of data can be transferred within minutes thus improving overall operational efficiency

See below for an example of an EDIFACT message used to answer a flight ticket (FRA-JFK-MIA) availability request:

UNA:+.? '

UNB+IATB:1+6XPPC:ZZ+LHPPC:ZZ+940101:0950+1'

UNH+1+PAORES:93:1:IA'

MSG+1:45'

IFT+3+XYZCOMPANY AVAILABILITY'

ERC+A7V:1:AMD'

IFT+3+NO MORE FLIGHTS'

ODI'

TVL+240493:1000::1220+FRA+JFK+DL+400+C'

PDI++C:3+Y::3+F::1'

APD+74C:0:::6++++++6X'

TVL+240493:1740::2030+JFK+MIA+DL+081+C'

PDI++C:4'

APD+EM2:0:1630::6+++++++DA'

UNT+13+1'

UNZ+1+1'

Full list of UN/EDIFACT document standard messages

Application Reference	Message Type
APERAK	Application error and acknowledgement message
AUTHOR	Authorization message
AVLREQ	Availability request – interactive message
AVLRSP	Availability response – interactive message
BALANC	Balance message
BANSTA	Banking status message
BAPLIE	Bayplan/stowage plan occupied and empty locations message
BAPLTE	Bayplan/stowage plan total numbers message
BERMAN	Berth management 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
BUSCRD	Business credit report 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
COACSU	Commercial account summary 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 organization 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
COPAYM	Contributions for payment
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
DEBREC	Debts recovery message
DELFOR	Delivery schedule message
DELJIT	Delivery just in time message
DESADV	Dispatch 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
ICASRP	Insurance claim assessment and reporting message
ICSOLI	Insurance claim solicitor’s instruction 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
IFTICL	Cargo insurance claims message
IFTMAN	Arrival notice message
IFTMBC	Booking confirmation message
IFTMBF	Firm booking message
IFTMBP	Provisional booking message
IFTMCA	Consignment advice message
IFTMCS	Instruction contract status message
IFTMFR	International Forwarding And Transport
IFTMIN	Instruction message
IFTRIN	Forwarding and transport rate information message
IFTSAI	Forwarding and transport schedule and availability information me
IFTSTA	International multimodal status report message
IFTSTQ	International multimodal status request message
IHCEBI	Interactive health insurance eligibility and benefits inquiry and
IHCLME	Health care claim or encounter request and response – interactive
IMPDEF	EDI implementation guide definition message
INFCON	Infrastructure condition message
INFENT	Enterprise accounting information message
INSDES	Instruction to dispatch message
INSPRE	Insurance premium message
INSREQ	Inspection request message
INSRPT	Inspection report message
INTCHG	Interchange Control Structures
INVOIC	Invoice message
INVRPT	Inventory report message
IPPOAD	Insurance policy administration message
IPPOMO	Motor insurance policy message
ISENDS	Intermediary system enablement or disablement 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
JUPREQ	Justified payment request message
LEDGER	Ledger message
LREACT	Life reinsurance activity message
LRECLM	Life reinsurance claims message
MEDPID	Person identification message
MEDPRE	Medical prescription 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
PASREQ	Travel tourism and leisure product application status request – i
PASRSP	Travel tourism and leisure product application status response –
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
PROCST	Project cost reporting message
PRODAT	Product data message
PRODEX	Product exchange reconciliation message
PROINQ	Product inquiry message
PROSRV	Product service 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
RECORD	Reinsurance core data message
REGENT	Registration of enterprise message
RELIST	Reinsured objects list 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
RESREQ	Reservation request – interactive message
RESRSP	Reservation response – interactive message
RETACC	Reinsurance technical account message
RETANN	Announcement for returns message
RETINS	Instruction for returns message
RPCALL	Repair call message
SAFHAZ	Safety and hazard data message
SANCRT	International movement of goods governmental regulatory message
SKDREQ	Schedule request – interactive message
SKDUPD	Schedule update – interactive 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
TAXCON	Tax control message
TIQREQ	Travel tourism and leisure information inquiry request – interactive
TIQRSP	Travel tourism and leisure information inquiry response – interactive
TPFREP	Terminal performance message
TSDUPD	Timetable static data update – interactive message
TUPREQ	Travel, tourism and leisure data update request – interactive message
TUPRSP	Travel, tourism and leisure data update response – interactive message
UTILMD	Utilities master data message
UTILTS	Utilities time series 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

Conclusion

The UN/EDIFACT standard provides a set of syntax rules to structure, an interactive exchange protocol, and provides a set of standard messages which allow multi-country and multi-industry exchange of electronic business documents. EDIFACT is widely used across Europe, mainly since many companies adopted it very early on. EDIFACT has seen some adoption in the ASPAC region, however, there are currently more XML-based standards being used in this region today.

Ready to find out more about Commport EDI Solutions?

Drop us a line today for a free quote!

Commport EDI Solutions

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the UN/EDIFACT standard?

The UN/EDIFACT (United Nations/Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce, and Transport) standard is an international messaging format developed by the United Nations to facilitate electronic data exchange for various business processes, including administration, commerce, and transport. It defines a set of rules and structures for creating structured messages that enable seamless communication between different computer systems.

2. What is the purpose of the UN/EDIFACT standard?

The primary purpose of the UN/EDIFACT standard is to establish a common format for electronic data interchange (EDI) among businesses and organizations worldwide. By providing a standardized framework for representing and exchanging business data, the UN/EDIFACT standard helps streamline communication, reduce errors, and enhance efficiency in processes such as procurement, transportation, and customs clearance.

3. How does the UN/EDIFACT standard work?

The UN/EDIFACT standard works by defining a set of message types and data elements that represent specific business transactions or information exchanges. These messages are organized into directories and directories into segments, creating a hierarchical structure. Each segment contains relevant data elements, and the messages are formatted using a combination of letters and numbers. When two trading partners want to exchange information, they follow the UN/EDIFACT guidelines to create, send, and receive standardized messages.

4. Are UN/EDIFACT messages compatible with modern technologies?

Yes, UN/EDIFACT messages are designed to be technology-neutral, meaning they can be implemented and used across various technology platforms and communication methods. While the standard originated in the era of electronic data interchange (EDI) systems, it can still be adapted to modern technologies, such as XML-based formats, web services, and APIs, ensuring seamless integration with contemporary business systems.

5. What are some common examples of UN/EDIFACT messages?

UN/EDIFACT messages cover a wide range of business processes. Some common examples include:

ORDERS: Used for purchase orders and order responses between trading partners.
INVOIC: Used for transmitting invoice information from the seller to the buyer.
DESADV: Used for providing details about shipments and deliveries.
CUSDEC: Used for customs declarations during international trade.
REMADV: Used for transmitting payment instructions and advice.

These messages serve as standardized templates for specific interactions, helping businesses communicate effectively while minimizing errors and discrepancies.