Product/Topic: EDIFACT - ORDERS (D.96A)
Article Link: https://help.truecommerce.com/en/articles/16043911-edifact-orders-d-96a-purchase-order
The EDIFACT ORDERS (D.96A) message is a United Nations (UN) standard Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) message used by a buyer to place a Purchase Order with a supplier. It communicates the product, quantity, pricing, delivery, payment, transportation, and reference information required to fulfill a purchase order between trading partners.
Understanding the structure of the ORDERS message is important when configuring, mapping, or troubleshooting Purchase Order transactions within your EDI setup. The ORDERS message supports ordering, scheduling, delivery, transportation, payment, and fulfillment processes across trading partner relationships.
Transaction Overview
Field | Value |
Standard | EDIFACT |
Message Type | ORDERS |
Version | D.96A |
Agency | UN (United Nations) |
Purpose | Purchase Order |
Message Structure
The ORDERS message is divided into three primary sections: Header, Detail, and Summary.
Header Section
Contains purchase order identification, dates, references, parties, payment terms, and transportation information. This section establishes the full context of the order transaction.
Detail Section
Contains individual order line-item information — the specific goods or services being ordered, including quantities, pricing, product descriptions, and item identifiers.
Summary Section
Contains totals, allowances, charges, and control information that close out and validate the purchase order.
Required Segments
The following segments are required in every ORDERS (D.96A) message.
Segment | Description |
UNH | Message Header — identifies the message as ORDERS D.96A UN |
BGM | Beginning of Message — includes purchase order number, type, and function |
DTM | Date/Time/Period — order, shipment, and requested delivery dates |
UNS | Section Control — separates the Detail and Summary sections |
UNT | Message Trailer — closes the transaction and verifies segment count |
Header Segments
The segments in the following table appear in the Header section and provide supporting information about the purchase order.
Segment | Description |
PAI | Payment Instructions |
ALI | Additional Commercial Information |
IMD | Common Item Description |
FTX | Free Text Notes |
Segment Groups
Segment Groups (SG) are logical groupings of related segments within the ORDERS (D.96A) message.
Segment Group | Name | Key Segments |
SG1 | References | RFF, DTM |
SG2 | Parties | NAD, LOC, FII |
SG6 | Tax Information | TAX, MOA, LOC |
SG7 | Currency Information | CUX, PCD, DTM |
SG8 | Payment Terms | PAT, DTM, PCD, MOA |
SG9 | Transportation Information | TDT |
SG12 | Packaging Information | PAC, MEA |
SG14 | Equipment Information | EQD, HAN, MEA, FTX |
SG15 | Scheduling Information | SCC |
SG18 | Allowances and Charges | ALC |
SG25 | Purchase Order Line Items | LIN loop |
Detail Section — Purchase Order Line Items (SG25)
The SG25 loop contains the individual line-item details of the purchase order. Each line includes the content in the following table.
Segment | Description |
LIN | Line-Item identifier |
PIA | Additional Product Identification |
IMD | Item Description |
QTY | Quantities ordered |
MOA | Monetary Amounts per line |
GIN | Goods Identity Number |
RFF | References |
PRI | Pricing (via SG28) |
PAC | Packaging Information |
Summary Section
The Summary Section closes out the ORDERS message and provides control and totals information:
UNS — Separates the Detail section from the Summary section
MOA — Provides order monetary totals
CNT — Provides control totals for the message
SG54 — Provides allowances and charges totals
UNT — Closes the transaction and verifies segment count
Additional Resources
rev. 07/22/26