0. INTRODUCTION
1. SCOPE
   1. Functional definition
   2. Field of application
   3. Principles
2. REFERENCES
3. TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
   1. Standard terms and definitions
4. MESSAGE DEFINITION
   1. Segment clarification
      1. Header section
      2. Detail section
      3. Summary section
   2. Segment index (alphabetical sequence by tag)
   3. Message structure
      1. Segment table

This specification provides the definition of the Instruction for returns message (RETINS) to be used in Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) between trading partners involved in administration, commerce and transport.

A message by which a party informs another party whether and how goods shall be returned.

The Instruction for returns message may be used for both national and international applications. It is based on universal practice related to administration, commerce and transport, and is not dependent on the type of business or industry.

The sender of an instruction for returns message will normally have previously been informed by the recipient of the intention to return goods by means of the Announcement for Returns message.

The instruction for returns message can be used to inform the receiving party on:

• whether the goods shall be returned, repaired, destroyed, or disposed of;
• which transport means and mode shall be used;
• on or by which date the return shall take place;
• which party is responsible for initialising transportation;
• which party is responsible for the transportation costs;
• any additional costs related to the return;
• the carrier who shall carry out the transportation;
• the address to which the returned goods should be sent;
• any associated documents which will be raised in conjunction with the instruction for return, e.g. credit note.
• fixed returns instructions for items which are returned on a scheduled basis, e.g. the collection of unsold newspapers will take place at a fixed time each week.

The instruction for returns may also be used to specify additional information regarding the return of goods such as handling instructions or hazardous material information.

The instruction for returns may be used to inform a party if the sender refuses, or does not require, return of the goods. It must in this case indicate what action the message recipient should carry out (e.g. disposal, destroy).

See UNTDID, Part 4, Chapter 2.3 UN/ECE UNSM - General Introduction, Section 1.

See UNTDID, Part 4, Chapter 2.3 UN/ECE UNSM - General Introduction, Section 2.

This section should be read in conjunction with the segment table which indicates mandatory, conditional and repeating requirements.

The following guidelines and principles apply to the whole message and are intended to facilitate the understanding and implementation of the message:

All specified dates/times should be in the format 'ccyymmdd' / 'hhmm' unless all parties involved in the transaction agree that there is a functional requirement for an alternative format. Periods should be specified as whole numbers representing the required period as indicated in the format qualifier (weeks, months, etc.).

Where a choice of code or text is given only the code element should be used wherever possible.

Conditional data that is not required in the message should not be included.

Care must be taken that the segment qualifier in dependent segments do not conflict with the segment qualifier of the trigger segment of a group.

Free text information within the message should be avoided as this inhibits automatic processing. It is only used when additional information that cannot be accommodated within the other segments is required.

Information to be provided in the Header section:

0010 UNH, Message header

A service segment starting and uniquely identifying a message. The message type code for the Instruction for returns message is RETINS.

Note: Instruction for returns messages conforming to this document must contain the following data in segment UNH, composite S009:

0020 BGM, Beginning of message

A segment by which the sender must uniquely identify the Instruction for Returns.

0030 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the dates, and when relevant, the times related to the whole message, e.g. pick up date, message date. The segment must be specified at least once to specify the message date as allocated by the sender.

0040 FTX, Free text

A segment with free text information, in coded or clear form, used when additional information is needed but cannot be accommodated within other segments. In computer to computer exchanges such text will normally require the receiver to process this segment manually.

0050 CUX, Currencies

A segment to specify currencies and relevant details for the rate of exchange.

0060 Segment Group 1: DOC-DTM

A group of segments by which the sender of the message indicates to the receiver what type of document or message will accompany or follow the instruction for returns message, e.g., a credit note.

0070 DOC, Document/message details

A segment by which the sender of the message indicates to the receiver what type of document or message will accompany or follow (e.g. credit note) the instruction for returns message.

0080 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date and where necessary the time related to the current document. This may be used to indicate required document receipt dates, times, or periods.

0090 Segment Group 2: RFF-DTM

A group of segments providing references and any associated dates related to the current message, e.g. announcement for returns number, invoice, etc.

0100 RFF, Reference

A segment for providing references related to the whole instruction for returns message.

0110 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date and where necessary the time of the reference.

0120 Segment Group 3: NAD-LOC-SG4-SG5

A group of segments identifying the parties involved in the instruction to return message and any associated information.

0130 NAD, Name and address

A segment to identify a party name and address, either by coded identification or in clear form. It is recommended that where possible only the coded form of the party identification should be specified, e.g. the Buyer and Seller are known to each other, thus only the coded identification is required.

0140 LOC, Place/location identification

A segment to allow the identification of locations related to the current party, e.g. the location of the goods for returns.

0150 Segment Group 4: RFF-DTM

A group of segments for specifying any references relating to the current party.

0160 RFF, Reference

A segment for the inclusion of any references related to the current party.

0170 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date and where necessary the time of the reference.

0180 Segment Group 5: CTA-COM

A group of segments identifying the contact person or department for the current party and if required specifying the communication channel and number.

0190 CTA, Contact information

A segment to identify a person or department and their function, to whom communications should be directed.

0200 COM, Communication contact

A segment specifying the communication channel and number for the specified contact.

0210 Segment Group 6: CDI-INP-DTM-FTX-SG7

A group of segments identifying any states, instructions, dates or additional references related to the complete instruction for return message.

0220 CDI, Physical or logical state

A segment to enable return states to be specified.

0230 INP, Parties and instruction

A segment to enable return instructions to be specified.

0240 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date and or time related to the return state.

0250 FTX, Free text

A segment with free text information, in coded or clear form, used when additional information is needed but cannot be accommodated within other segments. In computer to computer exchanges such text will normally require the receiver to process this segment manually.

0260 Segment Group 7: RFF-DTM

A group of segments for specifying any references, and if required any dates, related to the and conditions.

0270 RFF, Reference

A segment for the inclusion of any references related to the conditions.

0280 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date and where necessary the time of the reference.

0290 Segment Group 8: TOD-LOC

A group of segments indicating the terms of delivery for the whole instruction for returns.

0300 TOD, Terms of delivery or transport

A segment identifying the delivery terms used, e.g. INCOTERMS, a code could be used to specify the delivery terms.

0310 LOC, Place/location identification

A segment identifying locations relevant to the delivery terms.

0320 Segment Group 9: TDT-LOC-DTM

A group of segments identifying the mode and means of transport, location and relevant dates and times for transportation, relating to the whole instruction for returns.

0330 TDT, Details of transport

A segment specifying the mode, means and identification of the transport for the goods on which instructions for returns are being provided.

0340 LOC, Place/location identification

A segment identifying locations relevant to the transport details.

0350 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment identifying any dates associated with the transport details.

0360 Segment Group 10: EQD-MEA-FTX

A group of segments to specify equipment in which goods will be transported.

0370 EQD, Equipment details

A segment to specify equipment, equipment size and type used in the transport.

0380 MEA, Measurements

A segment to specify measurements associated with the equipment, such as size.

0390 FTX, Free text

A segment to specify processable supplementary information associated with the equipment.

Information to be provided in the Detail section:

0400 Segment group 11: LIN-PIA-IMD-MEA-DTM-QTY-FTX-LOC-MOA-SG12- SG13-SG14-SG15-SG16-SG18-SG20-SG21 A group of segments providing details of the individual items for which instruction for returns are being provided. There must be at least one occurrence of this group within an instruction for returns.

0410 LIN, Line item

A segment identifying a line item by the line item number and configuration level, and additionally, identifying the product for return. Other product identification numbers, e.g. supplier product number etc., can be specified within the following PIA segment.

0420 PIA, Additional product id

A segment providing additional identification to the product specified in the LIN segment (e.g. Harmonized System number).

0430 IMD, Item description

A segment for describing the current line item as well as product characteristic. This segment should be used for products that cannot be fully identified by an article number.

0440 MEA, Measurements

A segment enabling the physical measurements of the current item to be specified where this is required for full identification of the product.

0450 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying date and or time, or period details relating to the current line item only, e.g. collection date.

0460 QTY, Quantity

A segment identifying the product quantities, e.g. return quantity.

0470 FTX, Free text

A segment with free text information, in coded or clear form, used when additional information is needed but cannot be accommodated within other segments. In computer to computer exchanges such text will normally require the receiver to process this segment manually.

0480 LOC, Place/location identification

A segment to allow the further identification of locations related to the current line item.

0490 MOA, Monetary amount

A segment specifying any monetary amounts relating to the product, e.g. credit note amount.

0500 Segment Group 12: DOC-DTM

A group of segments by which the sender of the message indicates to the receiver what type of document or message will accompany or follow the instruction for returns message, e.g., a credit note, for the current line item.

0510 DOC, Document/message details

A segment by which the sender of the message indicates to the receiver what type of document or message will accompany or follow the return (e.g. credit note) for the current line item.

0520 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date and where necessary the time related to the document. This may be used to indicate required document receipt dates, times, or periods.

0530 Segment Group 13: RFF-DTM

A group of segments for specifying any references relating to the current line item only, e.g. invoice number, etc.

0540 RFF, Reference

A segment for the inclusion of any references related to the current line item.

0550 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date and where necessary the time of the reference.

0560 Segment Group 14: DGS-QTY-FTX

A group of segments giving information about dangerous goods.

0570 DGS, Dangerous goods

A segment to indicate the class of dangerous goods.

0580 QTY, Quantity

A segment to specify quantity of the given dangerous goods.

0590 FTX, Free text

A segment to describe dangerous goods.

0600 Segment Group 15: HAN-FTX

A group of segments identifying handling instructions relevant to the current line item only.

0610 HAN, Handling instructions

A segment providing information on required handling and notification of hazardous materials relevant to the current line item only.

0620 FTX, Free text

A segment with free text information relevant to the handling instructions, in coded or clear form, used when additional handling information is needed. In computer to computer exchanges such text will normally require the receiver to process this segment manually.

0630 Segment Group 16: PAC-SG17

A group of segments identifying packaging, marks and numbers, date and time information about packing for the product for which an instruction for returns is provided.

0640 PAC, Package

A segment specifying the number and type of the packages/physical units and the physical type of packaging for the current line item.

0650 Segment Group 17: PCI-DTM-GIN

A group of segments specifying markings, labels, and packing numbers.

0660 PCI, Package identification

A segment specifying markings and or labels used on the package described in the PAC segment.

0670 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment for specifying date and or time, or period related to the package.

0680 GIN, Goods identity number

A segment providing the identity numbers related to the current package.

0690 Segment Group 18: CDI-INP-DTM-FTX-SG19

A group of segments identifying any states, instructions, dates or additional references related to the return of the current line item.

0700 CDI, Physical or logical state

A segment to enable return states to be specified.

0710 INP, Parties and instruction

A segment to enable return instructions to be specified.

0720 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date and or time related to the return state.

0730 FTX, Free text

A segment with free text information, in coded or clear form, used when additional information is needed but cannot be accommodated within other segments. In computer to computer exchanges such text will normally require the receiver to process this segment manually.

0740 Segment Group 19: RFF-DTM

A group of segments for specifying any references, and if required any dates, related to the states for the current line item.

0750 RFF, Reference

A segment for the inclusion of any references related to the conditions.

0760 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment specifying the date and where necessary the time of the reference.

0770 Segment Group 20: TDT-LOC-DTM

A group of segments identifying the mode and means of transport, location and relevant dates and times for transportation, relating to the current line item.

0780 TDT, Details of transport

A segment specifying the mode, means and identification of the transport for the current line item.

0790 LOC, Place/location identification

A segment identifying locations relevant to the transport, e.g. place of collection.

0800 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment identifying any dates associated with the transport details.

0810 Segment Group 21: EQD-MEA-FTX

A group of segments to specify equipment related to the transport of the current line item.

0820 EQD, Equipment details

A segment to specify equipment, equipment size and type used in the transport.

0830 MEA, Measurements

A segment to specify measurements, other than dimensions, associated with the equipment, such as weight.

0840 FTX, Free text

A segment to specify processable supplementary information associated with the equipment.

Information to be provided in the Summary section:

0850 CNT, Control total

A segment by which control totals may be provided by the sender for checking by the receiver.

0860 UNT, Message trailer

A service segment ending a message, giving the total number of segments in the message (including the UNH & UNT) and the control reference number of the message.