Five EDI Examples You Need to Know

EDIFACT is a global standard for electronic data interchange. Here are five key EDIFACT message types crucial for business operations, with real examples.

1

Purchase Order (ORDERS)

Initiates a transaction by requesting products or services.

  • Buyer and supplier information
  • Order number and date
  • Item descriptions, quantities, and prices
UNH+1+ORDERS:D:96A:UN'
BGM+220+PO123456+9'
DTM+137:20230518:102'
NAD+BY+123456789::92'
NAD+SU+987654321::92'
LIN+1++123456789:IN'
QTY+21:100'
PRI+AAA:15.00'
UNT+8+1'
2

Invoice (INVOIC)

Sent by the supplier to request payment for goods or services.

UNH+1+INVOIC:D:96A:UN'
BGM+380+INV123456+9'
DTM+137:20230518:102'
NAD+BY+123456789::92'
NAD+SU+987654321::92'
LIN+1++123456789:IN'
QTY+47:100'
PRI+AAA:15.00'
MOA+203:1500.00'
UNT+9+1'
3

Despatch Advice (DESADV)

Notifies the buyer about the shipment of goods.

UNH+1+DESADV:D:96A:UN'
BGM+351+DES123456+9'
DTM+137:20230518:102'
NAD+BY+123456789::92'
NAD+SU+987654321::92'
TDT+20+123456:9'
LIN+1++123456789:IN'
QTY+12:100'
UNT+8+1'
4

Receiving Advice (RECADV)

Confirms the receipt of goods.

UNH+1+RECADV:D:96A:UN'
BGM+352+REC123456+9'
DTM+137:20230518:102'
NAD+BY+123456789::92'
NAD+SU+987654321::92'
LIN+1++123456789:IN'
QTY+21:100'
UNT+7+1'
5

Payment Order (PAYORD)

Instructs a financial institution to transfer funds.

UNH+1+PAYORD:D:96A:UN'
BGM+100+PAY123456+9'
DTM+137:20230518:102'
NAD+PA+123456789::92'
NAD+PE+987654321::92'
MOA+203:1500.00'
RFF+PQ:PO123456'
UNT+7+1'

Related Resources

What is EDIFACT?

Beginner's guide to EDIFACT

EDIFACT Format Guide

Complete format reference

EDI Standards

Compare EDIFACT, X12, and more

EDI Implementation

Step-by-step implementation guide

EDI Example

Real EDI message sample

EDIFACT Examples

EDIFACT message samples

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