EDI 304 Shipping Instructions

Functional Group SO

X12I Transportation Subcommittee

This X12 Transaction Set provides the format and establishes the data contents of the Shipping Instructions Transaction Set (304) for use within the context of an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) environment. When this transaction set is transmitted to an ocean carrier, it provides all the information necessary to prepare and distribute a contract of carriage such as an ocean bill of lading, sea waybill, and other shipping documents. When this transaction set is transmitted to a freight forwarder or customs broker, it provides for the transmission of shipping and financial information required by the forwarder or customs broker to move cargo and provide the services requested.

Heading

Position
Segment
Name
Max use
  1. To indicate the start of a transaction set and to assign a control number

  2. To transmit basic data relating to shipment information

  3. To allow for positive identification of transaction set purpose

  4. To specify the authority for authorizing an action and the date authentication is made

  5. To specify the General Commodity (GC) code and any required special indicators for the shipment

  6. To specify routing of a beyond point

  7. To convey brokerage, freight forwarder compensation, and other compensation information related to shipments

  8. To transmit identifying information as specified by the Reference Identification Qualifier

  9. To identify and answer yes and no questions, including the date, time, and comments further qualifying the condition

  10. To provide vessel details and voyage number

  11. To transmit vessel scheduling information

  12. To transmit letter of credit details

  13. To specify the currency (dollars, pounds, francs, etc.) used in a transaction

    The currency specified at this position will be in effect for all monetary values except those accompanied by a currency segment. If any other currency segments are transmitted, they will apply to the loop in which they occur.
  14. M1 Loop Optional
    Repeat 5
    1. To specify details related to insurance

    2. To specify the currency (dollars, pounds, francs, etc.) used in a transaction

  15. To state terms and dates

  16. To specify data required for electronic payment

  17. To specify terms of sale

  18. To specify pertinent dates and times

  19. N1 Loop Optional
    Repeat 100
    1. To identify a party by type of organization, name, and code

    2. To specify additional names

    3. To specify the location of the named party

    4. To specify the geographic place of the named party

    5. To identify a person or office to whom communications should be directed

  20. R4 Loop Optional
    Repeat 20
    1. Contractual or operational port or point relevant to the movement of the cargo

    2. To specify pertinent dates and times

  21. To specify the responsibilities and carrier preference

  22. To specify carrier and routing sequences and details

  23. To transmit information in a free-form format for comment or special instruction

  24. To specify instructions in this business relationship or a reference number

  25. To specify special handling instructions in coded or free-form format

  26. To specify the line item in terms of description, quantity, packaging, and marks and numbers

  27. To transmit information contained on an export license

  28. To transmit import license number and effective dates

  29. C8 Loop Optional
    Repeat 20
    1. To specify applicable certifications and clauses

    2. To specify additional applicable certifications and clauses

    3. To provide processible supplementary information

Detail

Position
Segment
Name
Max use
  1. LX Loop Optional
    Repeat 999
    1. To reference a line number in a transaction set

    2. To specify container information and transportation service to be used

    3. N7 Loop Optional
      Repeat 999
      1. To identify the equipment

      2. To specify quantity information

      3. To describe physical dimensions and quantities

      4. To describe the operating environment of the equipment

      5. To record seal numbers used and the organization that applied the seals

      6. To provide an audit trail of seal number changes

      7. To relate equipment type and required temperatures

      8. To specify the name of the person certifying that the shipment complies with the regulations and/or the actual certification

      9. L1 Loop Optional
        Repeat 20
        1. To specify rate and charges detail relative to a line item including freight charges, advances, special charges, and entitlements

        2. To specify the currency (dollars, pounds, francs, etc.) used in a transaction

      10. To reference details of the tariff used to arrive at applicable rates or charge

      11. To transmit information contained on an export license

      12. To transmit import license number and effective dates

      13. To transmit identifying information as specified by the Reference Identification Qualifier

      14. H1 Loop Optional
        Repeat 10
        1. To specify information relative to hazardous material

        2. To specify free-form hazardous material descriptive data in addition to the information provided in the H1 segment

      15. LH1 Loop Optional
        Repeat 100
        1. To specify the hazardous commodity identification reference number and quantity

        2. To specify the hazardous notation and endorsement information

          If the hazardous endorsement (LH204) is "NONE", then use of LH204 is mandatory; however, the receiver must consider it to be blanks when printing a paper document.
        3. To specify the hazardous material shipping name and additional descriptive requirements

        4. To uniquely identify the variable information required by government regulation covering the transportation of hazardous material shipments

        5. To specify the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) information relating to shipments of hazardous material

        6. To specify additional Transport Canada requirements covering transportation of dangerous goods in Canada

        7. To specify the placard information required by the second government agency when shipment is to cross into another country

        8. To transmit specific hazardous material reference numbers

        9. To identify a person or office to whom administrative communications should be directed

    4. To specify instructions in this business relationship or a reference number

    5. To transmit information in a free-form format for comment or special instruction

    6. PO4 Loop Optional
      Repeat 100
      1. To specify the physical qualities, packaging, weights, and dimensions relating to the item

        The PO4 loop may be used to transmit layered packaging information. The use of the PO4 loop in Table 2 Position 162 is mutually exclusive with the use of the PO4 loop in Table 2 Position 172 in a single iteration of the LX loop.
      2. To specify physical measurements or counts, including dimensions, tolerances, variances, and weights (See X12 EDI Standard Figures, https://figures.x12.org, for example of use of C001)

      3. To indicate identifying marks and numbers for shipping containers

      4. To transmit identifying information as specified by the Reference Identification Qualifier

    7. L0 Loop Optional
      Repeat 120
      1. To specify quantity, weight, volume, and type of service for a line item including applicable "quantity/rate-as" data

      2. To specify physical measurements or counts, including dimensions, tolerances, variances, and weights (See X12 EDI Standard Figures, https://figures.x12.org, for example of use of C001)

      3. To transmit identifying information as specified by the Reference Identification Qualifier

      4. PO4 Loop Optional
        Repeat 100
        1. To specify the physical qualities, packaging, weights, and dimensions relating to the item

          The PO4 loop may be used to transmit layered packaging information. The use of the PO4 loop in Table 2 Position 172 is mutually exclusive with the use of the PO4 loop in Table 2 Position 162 in a single iteration of the LX loop.
        2. To specify physical measurements or counts, including dimensions, tolerances, variances, and weights (See X12 EDI Standard Figures, https://figures.x12.org, for example of use of C001)

        3. To indicate identifying marks and numbers for shipping containers

        4. To transmit identifying information as specified by the Reference Identification Qualifier

      5. To specify quantity information

        The lading quantity of principal interest to the parties exchanging information is transmitted in the LO segment. The quantity ordered and other pertinent lading quantities are to be transmitted in the QTY segments in the LO loop.
      6. To describe physical dimensions and quantities

      7. To specify the name of the person certifying that the shipment complies with the regulations and/or the actual certification

      8. PAL Loop Optional
        Repeat 3
        1. To identify the type and physical attributes of the pallet, and, gross weight, gross volume, and height of the load and the pallet

        2. To specify quantity information

      9. CTP Loop Optional
        Repeat 1
        1. To specify pricing information

        2. To specify the currency (dollars, pounds, francs, etc.) used in a transaction

      10. To specify the line item in terms of description, quantity, packaging, and marks and numbers

      11. To specify basic item identification data

      12. To provide lading description beyond what is required for rating and billing purposes

      13. To identify and answer yes and no questions, including the date, time, and comments further qualifying the condition

      14. L1 Loop Optional
        Repeat 20
        1. To specify rate and charges detail relative to a line item including freight charges, advances, special charges, and entitlements

        2. To specify the currency (dollars, pounds, francs, etc.) used in a transaction

      15. To reference details of the tariff used to arrive at applicable rates or charge

      16. SAC Loop Optional
        Repeat 10
        1. To request or identify a service, promotion, allowance, or charge; to specify the amount or percentage for the service, promotion, allowance, or charge

        2. To specify the currency (dollars, pounds, francs, etc.) used in a transaction

      17. L9 Loop Optional
        Repeat 10
        1. To specify special charge code and the associated monetary amount

        2. To specify the currency (dollars, pounds, francs, etc.) used in a transaction

      18. To transmit information contained on an export license

      19. To transmit import license number and effective dates

      20. C8 Loop Optional
        Repeat 20
        1. To specify applicable certifications and clauses

        2. To specify additional applicable certifications and clauses

        3. To provide processible supplementary information

      21. H1 Loop Optional
        Repeat 10
        1. To specify information relative to hazardous material

        2. To specify free-form hazardous material descriptive data in addition to the information provided in the H1 segment

      22. LH1 Loop Optional
        Repeat 1000
        1. To specify the hazardous commodity identification reference number and quantity

        2. To specify the hazardous notation and endorsement information

          If the hazardous endorsement (LH204) is "NONE", then use of LH204 is mandatory; however, the receiver must consider it to be blanks when printing a paper document.
        3. To specify the hazardous material shipping name and additional descriptive requirements

        4. To uniquely identify the variable information required by government regulation covering the transportation of hazardous material shipments

        5. To specify the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) information relating to shipments of hazardous material

        6. To specify additional Transport Canada requirements covering transportation of dangerous goods in Canada

        7. To specify the placard information required by the second government agency when shipment is to cross into another country

        8. To transmit specific hazardous material reference numbers

        9. To identify a person or office to whom administrative communications should be directed

      23. N1 Loop Optional
        Repeat 10
        1. To identify a party by type of organization, name, and code

        2. To specify additional names

        3. To specify the location of the named party

        4. To specify the geographic place of the named party

        5. To identify a person or office to whom communications should be directed

Summary

Position
Segment
Name
Max use
  1. L3 Loop Optional
    Repeat 1
    1. To specify the total shipment in terms of weight, volume, rates, charges, advances, and prepaid amounts applicable to one or more line items

    2. To specify the currency (dollars, pounds, francs, etc.) used in a transaction

    3. To specify physical measurements or counts, including dimensions, tolerances, variances, and weights (See X12 EDI Standard Figures, https://figures.x12.org, for example of use of C001)

    4. To identify the type or transmission or both of paperwork or supporting information

    5. To provide processible supplementary information

    6. L1 Loop Optional
      Repeat 20
      1. To specify rate and charges detail relative to a line item including freight charges, advances, special charges, and entitlements

      2. To specify the currency (dollars, pounds, francs, etc.) used in a transaction

    7. TDS Loop Optional
      Repeat 1
      1. To specify the total invoice discounts and amounts

      2. To specify the currency (dollars, pounds, francs, etc.) used in a transaction

    8. SAC Loop Optional
      Repeat 10
      1. To request or identify a service, promotion, allowance, or charge; to specify the amount or percentage for the service, promotion, allowance, or charge

      2. To specify the currency (dollars, pounds, francs, etc.) used in a transaction

    9. L9 Loop Optional
      Repeat 10
      1. To specify special charge code and the associated monetary amount

      2. To specify the currency (dollars, pounds, francs, etc.) used in a transaction

    10. To specify summary details of total items shipped in terms of quantity, weight, and volume

    11. To specify information about a specific event

    12. To transmit information in a free-form format for comment or special instruction

    13. To specify instructions in this business relationship or a reference number

  2. To indicate the end of the transaction set and provide the count of the transmitted segments (including the beginning (ST) and ending (SE) segments)

Stedi is a registered trademark of Stedi, Inc. Stedi's EDI Reference is provided for marketing purposes and is free of charge. All names, logos, and brands of third parties listed on our site are trademarks of their respective owners (including “X12”, which is a trademark of X12 Incorporated). Stedi, Inc. and its products and services are not endorsed by, sponsored by, or affiliated with these third parties. Our use of these names, logos, and brands is for identification purposes only, and does not imply any such endorsement, sponsorship, or affiliation.