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

This specification provides the definition of the Firm booking message (IFTMBF) to be used in Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) between trading partners involved in administration, commerce and transport.

This paper provides the definition of the Firm Booking Message to be used in fulfilling the requirements of trading partners in the transport chain worldwide, in the interchange of cargo and transport related information using Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).

This message is a single consignment based message, being aligned with other single consignment based messages such as the other two booking messages (IFTMBP and IFTMBC), the instruction messages (IFTMIN and IFTMCS) and the Arrival Notice Message (IFTMAN). The single consignment based messages can be used by all modes of transport for the forwarding and transport of goods from any origin to any destination, regardless of route or prevailing commercial practice. These messages are suitable for the arrangement of the transport of goods between all parties to the movement of the consignment (including the consignor/shipper and consignee as well as the forwarders, brokers, and carriers involved) as well as providing the information necessary to perform that transport and delivery of the goods.

They should be used in the same way by each mode of transport when the requirements are common even if functionally similar information is known by different names.

A message from a party definitely booking forwarding and/or transport services for a consignment to the party providing those services. The message will contain the conditions under which the sender of the messages requires the services to take place.

The Firm booking 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.

A Firm Booking Message will be sent, usually after an initial space booking has been made. This means that a Firm Booking Message could be sent as the initial message.

The message must be seen as a commitment from the shipper to the carrier or forwarder to execute certain services and is used for operational purposes by the service provider.

A booking-firm can be answered by a confirmation in any form by the service provider but this is not obligatory.

A booking firm message can be updated/replaced by a new booking firm message. It contains all relevant data elements of a consignment for operational purposes and is followed by an Instruction to ascertain a contract.

• A consignment may contain several goods items.
• Goods items may or may not be containerized.
• A goods item may be transported in one or more containers, and a single container may contain one or more goods items.
• One goods item may be related to one or more customs tariff codes.
• Goods items related to one customs tariff code may be carried in one or more containers.
• Goods items may reflect either the contractual or operational description of the goods.
• A party to the movement of the consignment may book or order transport for one or more goods items.
• A party to the movement of the consignment may book or issue instructions of transport to be arranged for several goods items by means of one or several of the following messages: IFTMBP, IFTMBF, IFTMBC, IFTMIN, IFTMCS, IFTMAN.
• Pre-carriage (advanced haulage) and/or on-carriage (destination haulage) of goods items or equipment within one booking or instruction may take place in different steps, each step specified with its own transport details group.
• Equipment may have other types of equipment attached to it, e.g. a temperature control unit attached to a container.
• Equipment and/or goods items may be attached to or transported on another load or transport device, which as such may be attached to or transported on yet another load or transport device, e.g. a container on a chassis on a rail-car.
• Transport devices, which have the ability of powered movement on their own, are specified in the transport details group. Other load or transport devices are specified as equipment.
• The expression of packaging for goods items can be expressed at up to three levels.

The transport sub-working group (D4) has developed recommendations for a harmonised implementation of this message through its subgroup ITIGG (International Transport Implementation Guidelines Group). Users implementing the message are strongly advised to apply these recommendations, which may be obtained from the D4 secretariat.

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.

A number of generic transport terms are used in this specification, to be described as:

• MODE OF TRANSPORT: The method of transport used for the conveyance of goods or persons, e.g. by rail, by road, by sea.
• MEANS OF TRANSPORT: the vehicle used for the transport of goods or persons, e.g. aircraft, truck, vessel.
• TYPE OF MEANS OF TRANSPORT: The type of vehicle used in the transport process, e.g. wide body, tank truck, passenger vessel.
• EQUIPMENT: Material resources necessary to facilitate the transport and handling of cargo. Transport equipment does under the given circumstances not have the ability to move by its own propulsion (e.g. sea container, trailer, unit load device, pallet).
• TYPE OF EQUIPMENT: The type of material used, e.g. 40 feet container, four way pallet, mafi trailer.

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

0010 UNH, Message header

A service segment starting and uniquely identifying a message. The message type code for the Firm booking message is IFTMBF.

Note: Firm booking messages conforming to this document must contain the following data in segment UNH, composite S009:

0020 BGM, Beginning of message

A segment to indicate the beginning of a message and to transmit identifying number and type of the message.

0030 CTA, Contact information

A segment to identify a person or department to whom communication should be directed.

0040 COM, Communication contact

A segment to identify a communication number of a person or department to whom communication should be directed.

0050 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment to indicate a date and time applying to the whole message, e.g., date and time of document issue.

0060 TSR, Transport service requirements

A segment to identify the contract, conditions of carriage, services, and priority requirements for the transport.

0070 MOA, Monetary amount

A segment to specify a monetary amount, such as prepaid amount, discount or total amount.

0080 FTX, Free text

A segment to specify free form or processable supplementary information, such as status of transport, remarks to be printed on the transport documents (where required), consignment remarks, insurance instructions, etc., or any other additional information.

0090 CNT, Control total

A segment to specify totals for a consignment.

0100 GDS, Nature of cargo

A segment to describe the nature of cargo.

0110 Segment Group 1: LOC-DTM

A group of segments to specify locations and related date(s)/time(s) which apply to the entire message, e.g. place of transhipment.

0120 LOC, Place/location identification

A segment to identify a location applying to the entire message.

0130 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment to indicate date(s) and time(s) relating to the location.

0140 Segment Group 2: TOD-LOC

A group of segments to specify terms of delivery and related locations.

0150 TOD, Terms of delivery or transport

A segment to specify the applicable terms of delivery.

0160 LOC, Place/location identification

A segment to specify a location related to the terms of delivery.

0170 Segment Group 3: RFF-DTM

A group of segments containing a reference and constants which apply to the entire message.

0180 RFF, Reference

A segment to express a reference which applies to the entire message such as: the document/message number that is to be updated by this very message (according to data element 1225 Message function code in segment BGM), booking reference, order number, insurance contract, etc.

0190 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment to indicate date and time relating to the reference.

0200 Segment Group 4: GOR-FTX-SG5

A group of segments to identify customs and other governmental procedures and required documents.

0210 GOR, Governmental requirements

A segment to indicate applicable governmental procedures related to import, export and transport of the goods.

0220 FTX, Free text

A segment to provide supplementary governmental requirements information.

0230 Segment Group 5: DOC-DTM

A group of segments to specify required documents by government.

0240 DOC, Document/message details

A segment to indicate a document required by government.

0250 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment to specify the date/time related to the required document.

0260 Segment Group 6: TCC-LOC-FTX-CUX-PRI-EQN-PCD-MOA-QTY

A group of segments to specify charge calculations associated with the transport.

0270 TCC, Charge/rate calculations

A segment to specify charge.

0280 LOC, Place/location identification

A segment to indicate a location.

0290 FTX, Free text

A segment to specify processable supplementary information associated with charge.

0300 CUX, Currencies

A segment to specify currencies associated with charge.

0310 PRI, Price details

A segment to specify price details such as price (e.g. 100 dollar) and unit price basis (e.g. per 1000 kilogram).

0320 EQN, Number of units

A segment to specify the number of units to which the unit price basis applies.

0330 PCD, Percentage details

A segment to indicate the applicable reduction or surcharge percentage details.

0340 MOA, Monetary amount

A segment to specify a monetary amount, such as prepaid amount, discount or total amount.

0350 QTY, Quantity

A segment to indicate a quantity, for example actual weight, declared weight or chargeable weight.

0360 Segment Group 7: TDT-DTM-TSR-SG8-SG9

A group of segments to indicate details of the movement of goods such as mode and means of transport, locations, departure, and arrival date(s) and time(s).

0370 TDT, Transport information

A segment to indicate information related to a certain stage of the transport, such as mode, means and carrier.

0380 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment to indicate departure/arrival date and time.

0390 TSR, Transport service requirements

A segment to identify contract, conditions of carriage, services, priority requirements for this stage of transport.

0400 Segment Group 8: LOC-DTM

A group of segments to specify a location and date/time related to this leg of transport.

0410 LOC, Place/location identification

A segment to indicate a location such as origin, destination, stop off, etc. related to this leg of transport.

0420 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment to specify a date/time related to the location, such as arrival date/time of a means of transport at a specific location.

0430 Segment Group 9: RFF-DTM

A group of segments to specify an additional reference related to the stage of the transport.

0440 RFF, Reference

A segment to specify the additional reference.

0450 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment to identify date and time relating to the reference.

0460 Segment Group 10: NAD-LOC-SG11-SG12-SG13-SG14-SG15

A group of segments to identify a party, related references, locations contacts, required documents, and charges to be paid by the party.

0470 NAD, Name and address

A segment to identify the party's name, address, and function.

0480 LOC, Place/location identification

A segment to indicate location where a specific function will be performed.

0490 Segment Group 11: CTA-COM

A group of segments identifying a contact and its communications related to the party.

0500 CTA, Contact information

A segment to identify a person or department within a party.

0510 COM, Communication contact

A segment to identify a communication number of a person or department to whom communication should be directed.

0520 Segment Group 12: DOC-DTM

A group of segments to identify required documents.

0530 DOC, Document/message details

A segment to identify a document required of, by or for the party.

0540 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment to identify date and time relating to the reference.

0550 Segment Group 13: RFF-DTM

A group of segments to specify a reference related to the party.

0560 RFF, Reference

A segment to identify a reference used by a party.

0570 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment to indicate date and time relating to the reference.

0580 Segment Group 14: CPI-RFF-CUX-LOC-MOA

A group of segments to identify the charge and its amount to be paid by the party.

0590 CPI, Charge payment instructions

A segment to identify default charge methodology.

0600 RFF, Reference

A segment to indicate a reference relating to the CPI segment, such as charge reference number.

0610 CUX, Currencies

A segment to indicate payment currency related to the charge methodology.

0620 LOC, Place/location identification

A segment to identify the place of charge collection.

0630 MOA, Monetary amount

A segment to identify the monetary amount associated with the charges.

0640 Segment Group 15: TSR-RFF-LOC-TPL-FTX

A group of segments to specify a transport service requirement and its associated details (such as applicable commercial agreement) related to the party.

0650 TSR, Transport service requirements

A segment to specify a required service for the transport, such as re-icing.

0660 RFF, Reference

A segment to identify a commercial agreement related to the service requirement.

0670 LOC, Place/location identification

A segment to indicate the location where the required service must be performed, such as place of re-icing.

0680 TPL, Transport placement

A segment to identify the means of transport to which the service requirement applies.

0690 FTX, Free text

A segment to provide any additional information related to the service requirement.

0700 Segment Group 16: GID-HAN-TMP-RNG-TMD-LOC-MOA-PIA-FTX-PCD-SG17-

GDS-SG18-SG19-SG20-SG21-SG22-SG23-SG25-SG27 A group of segments to describe the goods items for which transport is undertaken.

0710 GID, Goods item details

A segment to identify a goods item for which transport is undertaken. A goods item can be identified by up to three levels of packaging.

0720 HAN, Handling instructions

A segment to specify handling instructions relating to the goods item.

0730 TMP, Temperature

A segment to specify a temperature setting for a goods item.

0740 RNG, Range details

A segment to specify a temperature range setting for a goods item.

0750 TMD, Transport movement details

A segment to specify transport movement details for a goods item.

0760 LOC, Place/location identification

A segment to specify a country associated with a goods item, such as country of origin, or country of destination.

0770 MOA, Monetary amount

A segment to specify a monetary amount associated with a goods item, such as declared value, FOB value, etc.

0780 PIA, Additional product id

A segment to specify article numbers.

0790 FTX, Free text

A segment to specify processable supplementary information relating to the goods item.

0800 PCD, Percentage details

A segment to specify percentages related to cargo shipped in controlled atmosphere equipment such as percentage humidity.

0810 Segment Group 17: NAD-DTM

A group of segments to identify different places of collection and/or delivery for the goods item.

0820 NAD, Name and address

A segment to specify an address of a place of collection or delivery for a goods item.

0830 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment to indicate date and time relating to the place of collection or delivery.

0840 GDS, Nature of cargo

A segment to describe the nature of cargo.

0850 Segment Group 18: MEA-EQN

A group of segments to specify measurements applicable to a goods item.

0860 MEA, Measurements

A segment to specify measurements, other than dimensions, applicable to a goods item.

0870 EQN, Number of units

A segment to specify the number of equipment units to each of which the given measurement applies.

0880 Segment Group 19: DIM-EQN

A group of segments to specify dimensions applicable to a goods item.

0890 DIM, Dimensions

To specify dimensions applicable to a goods item.

0900 EQN, Number of units

A segment to specify the number of equipment units to each of which the given dimension applies.

0910 Segment Group 20: RFF-DTM

A group of segments to identify references to a goods item.

0920 RFF, Reference

A segment to identify a reference to a goods item.

0930 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment to indicate date and time relating to the reference.

0940 Segment Group 21: PCI-RFF-DTM-GIN

A group of segments to specify marks and numbers of a goods item.

0950 PCI, Package identification

A segment to specify marks and numbers of a goods item.

0960 RFF, Reference

A segment to identify a reference relating to the marks and numbers.

0970 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment to identify date and time of the reference.

0980 GIN, Goods identity number

A segment to specify identifying numbers related to transport units, such as batch numbers, serial numbers, etc.

0990 Segment Group 22: DOC-DTM

A group of segments to specify documents and associated date(s) and time(s) for a goods item.

1000 DOC, Document/message details

A segment to specify a document prepared for a goods item.

1010 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment to associate date and time with the prepared document.

1020 Segment Group 23: TPL-SG24

A group of segments to identify transport details and associated measurements for a goods item. This group may be repeated to indicate the different phases of the movement.

1030 TPL, Transport placement

A segment to identify transport details for a goods item.

1040 Segment Group 24: MEA-EQN

A group of segments to identify measurements.

1050 MEA, Measurements

A segment to specify the distribution of a goods item among the transport details.

1060 EQN, Number of units

A segment to specify the number of equipment units to each of which the given measurement applies.

1070 Segment Group 25: SGP-SG26

A group of segments to specify the distribution of a goods item among the transport equipment.

1080 SGP, Split goods placement

A segment to identify the equipment in which goods are transported.

1090 Segment Group 26: MEA-EQN

A group of segments to identify measurements.

1100 MEA, Measurements

A segment to specify measurements of that portion of the goods item in the equipment.

1110 EQN, Number of units

A segment to specify the number of equipment units to each of which the given measurement applies.

1120 Segment Group 27: DGS-FTX-SG28-SG29-SG30

A group of segments to specify dangerous goods details related to the goods item. One goods item may be in different dangerous goods classes.

1130 DGS, Dangerous goods

A segment to indicate the class of dangerous goods, packing group, etc.

1140 FTX, Free text

A segment to specify the dangerous goods technical name and to specify any additional dangerous goods information.

1150 Segment Group 28: CTA-COM

A group of segments to identify a contact to whom communication regarding the dangerous goods can be directed.

1160 CTA, Contact information

A segment to identify a person or department.

1170 COM, Communication contact

A segment to identify a communication number of a person or department.

1180 Segment Group 29: MEA-EQN

A group of segments to identify dangerous goods measurements.

1190 MEA, Measurements

A segment to specify measurements of the dangerous goods.

1200 EQN, Number of units

A segment to specify the number of equipment units to each of which the given measurement applies.

1210 Segment Group 30: SGP-SG31

A group of segments to specify the distribution of the dangerous goods among the transport equipment.

1220 SGP, Split goods placement

A segment to identify the equipment in which the dangerous goods are transported.

1230 Segment Group 31: MEA-EQN

A group of segments to identify dangerous goods measurements.

1240 MEA, Measurements

A segment to specify measurements of that portion of the dangerous goods in the equipment.

1250 EQN, Number of units

A segment to specify the number of equipment units to each of which the given measurement applies.

1260 Segment Group 32: EQD-EQN-TMD-MEA-DIM-TPL-HAN-TMP-FTX-RFF-SG33-

SG35 A group of segments to specify equipment in which goods are

1270 EQD, Equipment details

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

1280 EQN, Number of units

A segment to specify number of pieces of equipment required.

1290 TMD, Transport movement details

A segment to specify transport movement details for the equipment.

1300 MEA, Measurements

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

1310 DIM, Dimensions

A segment to specify dimensions applicable to equipment.

1320 TPL, Transport placement

A segment to identify transport details for the equipment.

1330 HAN, Handling instructions

A segment to specify handling instructions for specified equipment.

1340 TMP, Temperature

A segment to specify a temperature setting for the equipment.

1350 FTX, Free text

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

1360 RFF, Reference

A segment to specify a reference number to equipment.

1370 Segment Group 33: NAD-DTM-SG34

A group of segments to identify different equipment pick-up or drop-off places.

1380 NAD, Name and address

A segment to specify a pick-up or drop-off address.

1390 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment to indicate date and time relating to pick-up or drop-off.

1400 Segment Group 34: CTA-COM

A group of segments to identify a contact and its communications related to the party.

1410 CTA, Contact information

A segment to specify a contact name associated with a specified equipment positioning or collection address.

1420 COM, Communication contact

A segment to specify a communication number related to the contact.

1430 Segment Group 35: DGS-FTX-SG36

A group of segments to specify dangerous goods.

1440 DGS, Dangerous goods

A segment to indicate the dangerous goods regulations which apply, the class of the dangerous goods, additional dangerous goods codes, the United Nations Dangerous Goods (UNDG) number and the shipment flash point.

1450 FTX, Free text

A segment to specify supplementary details regarding the dangerous goods such as dangerous goods technical name and other additional information.

1460 Segment Group 36: CTA-COM

A group of segments to specify contact information.

1470 CTA, Contact information

A segment to identify a person or department to be contacted regarding dangerous goods.

1480 COM, Communication contact

A segment to specify communication details of the dangerous goods contact.

1490 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.