EDIFACT Examples: Real Message Samples with Explanations

Below are real-world EDIFACT message examples covering the most common business scenarios: purchase orders (ORDERS), invoices (INVOIC), and despatch advice (DESADV). Each example includes detailed explanations of the key segments.

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1. EDIFACT ORDERS Example (Purchase Order)

This example shows a purchase order from a retail group ordering fresh produce from a food supplier, with delivery to a distribution center:

EDIFACT ORDERS - Fresh Produce Order
UNB+UNOA:2+RETAILER:ZZ+SUPPLIER:ZZ+240201:0900+000001'
UNH+1+ORDERS:D:96A:UN'
BGM+220+ORD-2024-00123+9'
DTM+137:20240201:102'
DTM+2:20240208:102'
RFF+ADE:CONTRACT2024'
NAD+BY+5412345678908::9++Metro Retail Group+100 Commerce Street+London++EC1A 1BB+GB'
NAD+SU+4012345000001::9++Fresh Foods Ltd+50 Supplier Road+Manchester++M1 1AA+GB'
NAD+DP+5412345678915::9++Distribution Center North+Warehouse Lane+Leeds++LS1 1AB+GB'
CUX+2:GBP:9'
LIN+1++5901234123457:EN'
PIA+1+FF-APPLE-001:SA'
IMD+F++:::Fresh Apples - Royal Gala 1kg'
QTY+21:500:KGM'
PRI+AAA:2.50:CA'
LIN+2++5901234123464:EN'
PIA+1+FF-BANANA-001:SA'
IMD+F++:::Bananas - Fair Trade 1kg'
QTY+21:300:KGM'
PRI+AAA:1.80:CA'
LIN+3++5901234123471:EN'
PIA+1+FF-ORANGE-001:SA'
IMD+F++:::Oranges - Valencia 1kg'
QTY+21:400:KGM'
PRI+AAA:3.20:CA'
UNS+S'
CNT+2:3'
UNT+27+1'
UNZ+1+000001'

Header Segments

  • UNB - Interchange header with sender/receiver IDs
  • BGM+220 - Beginning of message, type 220 = Order
  • DTM+137 - Document date (2024-02-01)
  • DTM+2 - Requested delivery date (2024-02-08)

Party Information

  • NAD+BY - Buyer: Metro Retail Group, London
  • NAD+SU - Supplier: Fresh Foods Ltd, Manchester
  • NAD+DP - Delivery Point: Distribution Center, Leeds

Line Items

  • Line 1: 500kg Fresh Apples @ £2.50/kg = £1,250
  • Line 2: 300kg Bananas @ £1.80/kg = £540
  • Line 3: 400kg Oranges @ £3.20/kg = £1,280

2. EDIFACT INVOIC Example (Invoice)

This invoice message references the order above and includes payment terms, tax information, and totals:

EDIFACT INVOIC - Invoice for Order
UNB+UNOA:2+SUPPLIER:ZZ+RETAILER:ZZ+240210:1430+000002'
UNH+1+INVOIC:D:96A:UN'
BGM+380+INV-2024-00456+9'
DTM+137:20240210:102'
DTM+35:20240310:102'
RFF+ON:ORD-2024-00123'
RFF+DQ:DEL-2024-00789'
NAD+SU+4012345000001::9++Fresh Foods Ltd+50 Supplier Road+Manchester++M1 1AA+GB'
NAD+BY+5412345678908::9++Metro Retail Group+100 Commerce Street+London++EC1A 1BB+GB'
NAD+IV+5412345678922::9++Metro Accounts Payable+Finance Building+London++EC1A 2CC+GB'
CUX+2:GBP:4'
PAT+1++5:3:D:30'
LIN+1++5901234123457:EN'
QTY+47:500:KGM'
MOA+203:1250.00:GBP'
PRI+AAA:2.50:CA'
TAX+7+VAT+++:::0+Y'
LIN+2++5901234123464:EN'
QTY+47:300:KGM'
MOA+203:540.00:GBP'
PRI+AAA:1.80:CA'
TAX+7+VAT+++:::0+Y'
LIN+3++5901234123471:EN'
QTY+47:400:KGM'
MOA+203:1280.00:GBP'
PRI+AAA:3.20:CA'
TAX+7+VAT+++:::0+Y'
UNS+S'
MOA+79:3070.00:GBP'
MOA+124:0.00:GBP'
MOA+77:3070.00:GBP'
UNT+33+1'
UNZ+1+000002'

Key Segments

  • BGM+380 - Document type 380 = Invoice
  • DTM+35 - Payment due date (30 days: 2024-03-10)
  • RFF+ON - Reference to original order
  • RFF+DQ - Reference to delivery note
  • PAT+1 - Payment terms: Net 30 days

Summary Amounts

  • MOA+79 - Total line items: £3,070.00
  • MOA+124 - VAT amount: £0.00 (zero-rated food)
  • MOA+77 - Invoice total: £3,070.00

3. EDIFACT DESADV Example (Despatch Advice)

This despatch advice (also called ASN - Advance Shipping Notice) notifies the buyer that goods have been shipped and provides packaging details:

EDIFACT DESADV - Shipping Notification
UNB+UNOA:2+SUPPLIER:ZZ+RETAILER:ZZ+240208:0600+000003'
UNH+1+DESADV:D:96A:UN'
BGM+351+DEL-2024-00789+9'
DTM+137:20240208:102'
DTM+11:20240208:102'
DTM+132:20240208:1400:203'
RFF+ON:ORD-2024-00123'
NAD+SU+4012345000001::9++Fresh Foods Ltd'
NAD+BY+5412345678908::9++Metro Retail Group'
NAD+DP+5412345678915::9++Distribution Center North'
TDT+20++31++++:::Refrigerated Truck ABC123'
CPS+1'
PAC+12++CT'
PCI+33E'
GIN+BJ+SSCC12345678901234567890'
LIN+1++5901234123457:EN'
QTY+12:500:KGM'
CPS+2'
PAC+8++CT'
LIN+2++5901234123464:EN'
QTY+12:300:KGM'
CPS+3'
PAC+10++CT'
LIN+3++5901234123471:EN'
QTY+12:400:KGM'
UNT+27+1'
UNZ+1+000003'

Shipment Information

  • BGM+351 - Document type 351 = Despatch Advice
  • DTM+11 - Despatch date
  • DTM+132 - Estimated arrival time: 14:00
  • TDT+20 - Transport: Refrigerated Truck ABC123

Packaging Hierarchy (CPS)

  • CPS+1 - Package 1: 12 cartons of Apples
  • CPS+2 - Package 2: 8 cartons of Bananas
  • CPS+3 - Package 3: 10 cartons of Oranges
  • GIN+BJ - SSCC barcode for tracking

More EDIFACT Resources

EDIFACT Format Guide →

Learn syntax rules and structure

What is EDIFACT? →

Introduction to EDIFACT standard

EDI Examples (incl. X12) →

Compare EDIFACT and X12 formats

20 Real EDI Examples →

Extensive real-world samples

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