Learn from real-world EDI examples. This page contains sample EDIFACT and X12 messages with detailed explanations of each segment and element. Perfect for learning EDI structure or testing your integration.
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The ORDERS message is used to place an order for goods or services. This example shows a typical purchase order with two line items.
UNB+UNOA:2+BUYER123+SELLER456+240115:0930+REF001' UNH+1+ORDERS:D:96A:UN' BGM+220+PO-2024-001+9' DTM+137:20240115:102' DTM+2:20240130:102' NAD+BY+5412345000016::9++ACME Corporation+123 Business Street+New York+NY+10001+US' NAD+SU+4012345000094::9++Global Supplies Ltd+456 Supplier Road+Chicago+IL+60601+US' CUX+2:USD:4' LIN+1++9780123456789:EN' PIA+1+WIDGET-A:SA' IMD+F++:::Premium Widget Model A' QTY+21:100' PRI+AAA:25.99' LIN+2++9780987654321:EN' PIA+1+GADGET-B:SA' IMD+F++:::Standard Gadget Model B' QTY+21:50' PRI+AAA:49.99' UNS+S' CNT+2:2' UNT+18+1' UNZ+1+REF001'
UNB - Interchange header: sender BUYER123, receiver SELLER456
UNH - Message header: ORDERS message, version D96A
BGM - Document type (220=blanket order) and reference number
DTM - Dates: order date (137) and requested delivery (2)
NAD+BY - Buyer name and address with GLN
NAD+SU - Supplier name and address
LIN - Line item with EAN/GTIN product code
QTY+21 - Ordered quantity
PRI+AAA - Price per unit
The INVOIC message is sent by a supplier to bill for goods or services delivered.
UNB+UNOA:2+SELLER456+BUYER123+240120:1430+INV001' UNH+1+INVOIC:D:96A:UN' BGM+380+INV-2024-5678+9' DTM+137:20240120:102' DTM+35:20240115:102' RFF+ON:PO-2024-001' NAD+SE+4012345000094::9++Global Supplies Ltd' NAD+BY+5412345000016::9++ACME Corporation' CUX+2:USD:4' LIN+1++9780123456789:EN' QTY+47:100' MOA+203:2599.00' PRI+AAA:25.99' TAX+7+VAT+++:::8+S' LIN+2++9780987654321:EN' QTY+47:50' MOA+203:2499.50' PRI+AAA:49.99' TAX+7+VAT+++:::8+S' UNS+S' MOA+77:5098.50' MOA+176:407.88' MOA+79:5506.38' UNT+23+1' UNZ+1+INV001'
BGM+380 - Commercial invoice document type
RFF+ON - Reference to original order number
MOA+203 - Line item amount
TAX+7+VAT - VAT tax at 8%
MOA+77 - Invoice total excluding tax
MOA+176 - Total tax amount
MOA+79 - Grand total including tax
The DESADV message notifies the buyer that goods have been shipped. Also known as Advance Shipping Notice (ASN).
UNB+UNOA:2+SELLER456+BUYER123+240118:0800+DSP001' UNH+1+DESADV:D:96A:UN' BGM+351+SHIP-2024-789+9' DTM+137:20240118:102' DTM+11:20240120:102' RFF+ON:PO-2024-001' NAD+CZ+4012345000094::9++Global Supplies Ltd' NAD+CN+5412345000016::9++ACME Corporation+123 Business Street+New York+NY+10001' TDT+20+123456+++UPS:::United Parcel Service' EQD+CT+CONT123456' CPS+1' PAC+2++CT' PCI+33E+1Z999AA10123456784' LIN+1++9780123456789:EN' QTY+12:100' CPS+2' PAC+1++CT' PCI+33E+1Z999AA10123456785' LIN+2++9780987654321:EN' QTY+12:50' CNT+2:2' UNT+21+1' UNZ+1+DSP001'
BGM+351 - Despatch advice document type
DTM+11 - Estimated delivery date
TDT+20 - Transport details with carrier info
CPS - Consignment packing sequence
PAC - Package type (CT = carton)
PCI+33E - Tracking number / SSCC
The ORDRSP confirms receipt and acceptance of an order, possibly with modifications.
UNB+UNOA:2+SELLER456+BUYER123+240116:1000+RSP001' UNH+1+ORDRSP:D:96A:UN' BGM+231+RESP-2024-001+4' DTM+137:20240116:102' RFF+ON:PO-2024-001' NAD+SE+4012345000094::9++Global Supplies Ltd' NAD+BY+5412345000016::9++ACME Corporation' LIN+1+5+9780123456789:EN' QTY+21:100' DTM+2:20240130:102' LIN+2+3+9780987654321:EN' QTY+21:30' DTM+2:20240205:102' UNS+S' UNT+13+1' UNZ+1+RSP001'
BGM+231 - Order response document
LIN+1+5 - Line 1 accepted (5=accepted)
LIN+2+3 - Line 2 changed (3=change), quantity reduced to 30
A minimal EDIFACT interchange showing the basic required structure.
UNB+UNOA:2+SENDER+RECEIVER+240101:1200+1' UNH+1+ORDERS:D:96A:UN' BGM+220+TEST123+9' UNT+3+1' UNZ+1+1'
UNB...UNZ - Interchange envelope (required)
UNH...UNT - Message envelope (required)
BGM - Beginning of message (required for most messages)
Copy any of the examples above to test with your EDI software. All examples follow EDIFACT syntax version D96A, which is widely supported.
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