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)
   3. Message structure
      1. Segment table

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

This paper provides the definition of the United Nations Standard Despatch Advice message to be used in Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) between trading partners.

A message specifying details for goods despatched or ready for despatch under agreed conditions.

The United Nations Despatch Advice Message serves both as a specification for Delivery Despatch Advice and also as a Returns Despatch Advice message. Throughout this document, the reference to 'Despatch Advice' may be interpreted as conveying the wider meaning of 'Delivery Despatch Advice/Returns Despatch Advice'.

The Despatch advice 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 message intent is to advise of the detailed contents of a consignment.

The message relates to one seller and one buyer or their respective agents.

The message relates to a single despatch point and single or multiple destination points. It may cover a number of different items or packages.

It allows the recipient to:

• know when the material has been despatched or will be ready

for despatch

• have the precise details of the consignment
• take initial steps towards Customs clearance in the case of

international consignments

• enable matching between despatched goods and the following invoice.

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.

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

Care must be taken that the segment qualifier in dependent segments does 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.

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 Despatch advice message is DESADV.

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

0020 BGM, Beginning of message

A segment for unique identification of the Despatch Advice document, by means of its name and its number.

0030 DTM, Date/time/period

Date/time/period related to the whole message. The DTM segment must be specified at least once to identify the Despatch Advice date.

0040 ALI, Additional information

A segment indicating that the message is subject to special conditions due to origin, customs preference or commercial factors.

0050 MEA, Measurements

A segment specifying the weight and volume of the consignment.

0060 MOA, Monetary amount

A segment to transmit monetary amounts for the whole despatch required by the consignee to prepare customs clearance procedures.

0070 + CUX, Currencies

This segment is used to specify currencies and relevant details for the rate of exchange.

0080 Segment Group 1: RFF-DTM

A group of segments giving references where necessary, their dates relating to the whole message, e.g. contract number.

0090 RFF, Reference

A segment for referencing documents relating to the whole despatch advice message, e.g. purchase orders, delivery instructions, import/export license.

0100 DTM, Date/time/period

Date/time/period from the referred document.

0110 Segment Group 2: NAD-LOC-SG3-SG4

A group of segments identifying names, addresses, locations, and required supporting documents relevant to the whole Despatch Advice.

0120 NAD, Name and address

A segment for identifying names, addresses, and their functions relevant to the whole Despatch Advice. Identification of the parties involved is recommended for the Despatch Advice message, and is to be given in the NAD segment.

It is recommended that where possible, only the coded form of the party ID should be specified, e.g. the buyer and seller are known to each other, thus only the coded ID is required. The consignee or delivery address may vary and would have to be clearly specified, preferably in structured format.

0130 LOC, Place/location identification

A segment indicating more details regarding specific places/locations related to the party specified in the NAD segment, e.g. internal site/building number.

0140 Segment Group 3: RFF-DTM

A group of segments giving references relevant only to the specified party rather than the whole message.

0150 RFF, Reference

A segment for referencing documents relating to the party specified by the NAD segment.

0160 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment for specifying Date/time/period of the referred document.

0170 Segment Group 4: CTA-COM

A group of segments to identify the people, functions, departments and appropriate numbers to whom communication should be directed.

0180 CTA, Contact information

A segment to identify the person, function or department to whom communication should be directed.

0190 COM, Communication contact

A segment to identify communication types and numbers for the person, function or department identified in the CTA.

0200 Segment Group 5: TOD-LOC-FTX

A group of segments indicating terms of delivery.

0210 TOD, Terms of delivery or transport

A segment indicating the terms of delivery and transfer for the whole despatch advice.

0220 LOC, Place/location identification

A segment indicating locations relevant to the TOD segment.

0230 FTX, Free text

Additional free text pertinent to terms of delivery. In computer to computer exchanges such text will normally require the receiver to process this segment manually.

0240 Segment Group 6: TDT-PCD-TMD-SG7

A group of segments specifying details of the mode, means and method of transport and date/time of departure and destination relevant to the whole despatch advice.

0250 TDT, Details of transport

A segment specifying the carriage, and the mode and means of transport of the goods being despatched.

0260 PCD, Percentage details

A segment specifying the percentage of utilization of the capacity of the means of transport.

0270 TMD, Transport movement details

A segment to specify transport movement details for a despatch.

0280 Segment Group 7: LOC-DTM

A group of segments giving the location and date/time information relative to the transportation.

0290 LOC, Place/location identification

A segment indicating locations relevant to the transport specified in the TDT segment.

0300 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment giving the date/time/period information of departure and/or arrival of the transported goods for the specified location.

0310 Segment Group 8: EQD-MEA-SEL-EQA-SG9

A group of segments providing information relative to the equipment used for the transportation of goods relevant to the whole despatch advice.

0320 EQD, Equipment details

A segment to define fixed information regarding equipment used in conjunction with the whole despatch advice, and if required, to indicate responsibility for supply of the equipment.

0330 MEA, Measurements

A segment specifying physical measurements of equipment described in the EQD segment.

0340 SEL, Seal number

A segment specifying a seal number connected to a specific equipment named in the EQD.

0350 EQA, Attached equipment

A segment identifying equipment either attached to the equipment described in the EQD segment above, or equipment related to that described in the EQD segment, and which is further defined in a subsequent EQD segment.

0360 Segment Group 9: HAN-FTX

A group of segments providing information on hazardous goods and their handling.

0370 HAN, Handling instructions

A segment providing information on handling and notification of hazardous materials in the specified equipment.

0380 FTX, Free text

A segment with free text information in coded or clear form to give further clarification, when required, for hazardous material.

Information to be provided in the Detail section:

0390 Segment group 10: CPS-FTX-QVR-SG11-SG17 A group of segments providing details of all package levels and of the individual despatched items contained in the consignment. This segment group provides the capability to give the hierarchical packing relationships. The group defines a logical top-down order structure. The lowest level package information of the hierarchy is followed by the detail product information.

0400 CPS, Consignment packing sequence

A segment identifying the sequence in which packing of the consignment occurs, e.g. boxes loaded onto a pallet.

0410 FTX, Free text

A segment with free text information in coded or clear form to give further clarification, when required, as to the packing sequence.

In computer to computer exchanges such text will normally require the receiver to process this segment manually.

0420 QVR, Quantity variances

A segment identifying a quantity variance and reason for the variance.

0430 Segment Group 11: PAC-MEA-QTY-SG12-SG13

A group of segments identifying packaging, physical dimensions, marks and numbers, quantities, date and time information, handling information and information about packing at this level.

0440 PAC, Package

A segment specifying the number and type of the packages/physical units and the physical type of packaging for the despatched goods.

0450 MEA, Measurements

A segment specifying physical measurements of the packages/physical units described in the PAC segment.

0460 QTY, Quantity

A segment to specify the quantity per package described in the PAC segment.

0470 Segment Group 12: HAN-FTX

A group of segments providing information on hazardous goods and handling.

0480 HAN, Handling instructions

A segment providing information on required handling and notification of hazardous materials in the specified package.

0490 FTX, Free text

A segment with free text information in coded or clear form to give further clarification, when required, for hazardous materials.

0500 Segment Group 13: PCI-RFF-DTM-SG14-SG15-SG16

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

0510 PCI, Package identification

A segment specifying markings and/or labels used on individual physical units (packages) described in the PAC segment.

0520 RFF, Reference

A segment for referencing the package identification e.g. master label number.

0530 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment for specifying date/time/period related to the document referenced.

0540 Segment Group 14: GIR-DTM

A group of segments to give specific package related identifications and dates.

0550 GIR, Related identification numbers

To specify a set of related identification numbers.

0560 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment to give specific dates of a package, e.g. production date, etc.

0570 Segment Group 15: GIN-DLM

A group of segments giving package identification numbers and, where relevant, delivery limitation information.

0580 GIN, Goods identity number

A segment providing the identity numbers of packages being despatched.

0590 DLM, Delivery limitations

A segment to identify any limitation on delivery of goods, e.g. hold until final approval by supplier.

0600 Segment Group 16: COD-MEA-QTY-PCD

A group of segments to indicate the ingredients of the packaging used to pack a product and to provide the quantity of material used in this actual packaging. This group needs to be repeated for the ingredients as relevant.

0610 + COD, Component details

A segment to identify the ingredients used for packaging.

0620 + MEA, Measurements

A segment to give the measurements of the identified ingredient as used for packaging.

0630 + QTY, Quantity

A segment to give the quantity of the identified ingredient as used for packaging.

0640 + PCD, Percentage details

A segment to give the percentage of the ingredient within the packaging material.

0650 Segment Group 17: LIN-PIA-IMD-MEA-QTY-ALI-GIN-GIR-DLM-DTM-

NAD-TDT-TMD-HAN-FTX-MOA-SG18-SG19-SG20- SG21-SG22-SG25 A group of segments providing details of the individual

0660 LIN, Line item

A segment identifying the product being despatched.

All other segments in the detail section following the LIN segment refer to that line item.

0670 PIA, Additional product id

A segment providing additional product identification.

0680 IMD, Item description

A segment for describing the product being despatched. This segment should be used for products that cannot be identified by a product code or article number.

0690 MEA, Measurements

A segment specifying physical measurements of the despatched item in original or unpacked form.

0700 QTY, Quantity

A segment to give quantity information concerning the product.

0710 ALI, Additional information

A segment indicating that the line item is subject to special conditions due to origin, customs preference, or commercial factors.

0720 GIN, Goods identity number

A segment providing identity numbers of the goods being despatched, e.g. serial numbers for assembled equipment.

0730 GIR, Related identification numbers

A segment providing sets of related identification numbers for a line item, e.g. engine number, chassis number and transmission number for a vehicle.

0740 DLM, Delivery limitations

A segment to identify any limitation on delivery of goods e.g. hold until final approval by supplier.

0750 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment providing date, time information related to the line item, e.g. production date.

0760 NAD, Name and address

A segment for identifying names and addresses and their functions relevant to the item, e.g. manufacturer.

0770 TDT, Details of transport

A segment specifying the carriage, and the mode and means of transport of the goods being despatched, e.g. shipment/consignment number, shipping method, carrier.

0780 TMD, Transport movement details

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

0790 HAN, Handling instructions

A segment providing information on the handling and notification of hazardous materials.

0800 FTX, Free text

A segment with free text information in coded or clear form to give further clarification, when required, to the line item. In computer to computer exchanges such text will normally require the receiver to process this segment manually.

0810 MOA, Monetary amount

A segment giving monetary amounts required by the consignee to undertake customs clearance procedures.

0820 Segment Group 18: RFF-NAD-CTA-DTM

A group of segments to give reference numbers and dates.

0830 RFF, Reference

A segment identifying documents related to the line item.

0840 NAD, Name and address

A segment for identifying names and addresses and their functions relevant to the originator of the document in the RFF segment.

0850 CTA, Contact information

A segment to identify the office, branch or department to whom communication relevant to the document should be directed.

0860 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment for date/time/period relative to the referred document.

0870 Segment Group 19: DGS-QTY-FTX

A group of segments giving information about dangerous goods.

0880 DGS, Dangerous goods

A segment to indicate the class of dangerous goods.

0890 QTY, Quantity

A segment to specify quantity of the given dangerous goods.

0900 FTX, Free text

A segment to describe dangerous goods.

0910 Segment Group 20: LOC-NAD-DTM-QTY

A group of segments giving location information and where relevant, additional addresses, date and time, and quantities.

0920 LOC, Place/location identification

A segment identifying a specific location to which products will be delivered.

0930 NAD, Name and address

A segment for identifying names and addresses and their functions relevant to the delivery point.

It is recommended that where possible only the coded form of the party ID should be specified, e.g. the buyer and seller are known to each other, thus only the coded ID is required. The consignee or delivery address may vary and would have to be clearly specified, preferably in structured format.

0940 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment providing date/time information relevant for delivery to the specific location.

0950 QTY, Quantity

A segment to specify quantity for the given location.

0960 Segment Group 21: SGP-QTY

A group of segments indicating the split placement of packages or unpacked goods into equipment.

0970 SGP, Split goods placement

A segment to specify the placement of goods in relation to one equipment. If goods are unpacked, their quantity would be given in the following QTY segment.

0980 QTY, Quantity

A segment to specify the quantity of unpacked goods being placed in a specific equipment.

0990 Segment Group 22: PCI-DTM-MEA-QTY-SG23-SG24

A group of segments identifying one specific package or a number of packages, their marks and numbers, measurements, quantities, date and time information and handling instructions.

1000 PCI, Package identification

A segment specifying marking and labels used on individual packages or a range of packages.

1010 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment giving the date/time details related to the goods within the packages e.g. expiration date.

1020 MEA, Measurements

A segment specifying physical measurements of packages.

1030 QTY, Quantity

A segment to specify quantity per package.

1040 Segment Group 23: GIN-DLM

A group of segments giving package identification numbers and, where relevant, delivery limitation information.

1050 GIN, Goods identity number

A segment providing identification numbers being applied to the packages despatched.

1060 DLM, Delivery limitations

A segment to identify any limitation on delivery of goods e.g. hold until final approval by supplier.

1070 Segment Group 24: HAN-FTX-GIN

A group of segment providing information on hazardous materials and handling.

1080 HAN, Handling instructions

A segment providing information on handling and notification of hazardous materials.

1090 FTX, Free text

A segment with free text information in coded or clear form to give further clarification, when required, for hazardous materials.

1100 GIN, Goods identity number

A segment providing identification numbers being applied to the packages containing hazardous goods.

1110 Segment Group 25: QVR-DTM

A group of segments identifying quantity variances, the reason for the variance, and, when relevant, date and time information.

1120 QVR, Quantity variances

A segment identifying a quantity variance and the reason for the variance.

1130 DTM, Date/time/period

A segment to give date and time information relative to the quantity variances, e.g. proposed delivery date on the back order.

Information to be provided in the Summary section:

1140 CNT, Control total

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

1150 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.

	ALI	Additional information
	BGM	Beginning of message
	CNT	Control total
	COD	Component details
	COM	Communication contact
	CPS	Consignment packing sequence
	CTA	Contact information
	CUX	Currencies
	DGS	Dangerous goods
	DLM	Delivery limitations
	DTM	Date/time/period
	EQA	Attached equipment
	EQD	Equipment details
	FTX	Free text
	GIN	Goods identity number
	GIR	Related identification numbers
	HAN	Handling instructions
	IMD	Item description
	LIN	Line item
	LOC	Place/location identification
	MEA	Measurements
	MOA	Monetary amount
	NAD	Name and address
	PAC	Package
	PCD	Percentage details
	PCI	Package identification
	PIA	Additional product id
	QTY	Quantity
	QVR	Quantity variances
	RFF	Reference
	SEL	Seal number
	SGP	Split goods placement
	TDT	Details of transport
	TMD	Transport movement details
	TOD	Terms of delivery or transport
	UNH	Message header
	UNT	Message trailer

Change indicators
plus sign		An addition.
asterisk		Addition/substraction/change to a code entry for a particular data element.
hash or pound sign		Changes to names.
vertical bar		Changes to text for descriptions, notes and functions.
minus sign		A deletion.
letter X		Marked for deletion.