Product/Topic: EDIFACT
Article Link: https://help.truecommerce.com/en/articles/16045095-edifact-desadv-d-96a-despatch-advice
The EDIFACT DESADV (D.96A) is a United Nations (UN) standard Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) message used to communicate details for goods that have been dispatched or are ready for dispatch. It provides shipment, transportation, packaging, and item-level information required by trading partners to support receiving, inventory management, and shipment tracking processes.
Understanding the structure of the DESADV message is important when configuring, mapping, or troubleshooting Despatch Advice transactions within your EDI setup. The DESADV supports both outbound delivery and returns despatch scenarios and provides hierarchical packaging information alongside full shipment contents.
Transaction Overview
Field | Value |
Standard | EDIFACT |
Message Type | DESADV |
Version | D.96A |
Agency | UN (United Nations) |
Purpose | Despatch Advice |
Message Structure
The DESADV message is divided into three primary sections: Header, Detail, and Summary.
Header Section
Contains shipment identification, dates, references, parties, transportation, equipment, and delivery information. This section establishes the full context of the despatch transaction.
Detail Section
Contains packaging hierarchy information (via the CPS loop) and individual despatch line-item details (via the LIN loop) — including shipped product information, quantities, measurements, and goods identification.
Summary Section
Contains control totals and message control information that close out and validate the Despatch Advice.
Required Segments
The following segments are required in every DESADV (D.96A) message.
Segment | Description |
UNH | Message Header — identifies the message as DESADV D.96A UN |
BGM | Beginning of Message — includes Despatch Advice document number and function |
DTM | Date/Time/Period — shipment, despatch, and delivery dates |
CNT | Control Total — provides shipment control totals for the message |
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 shipment.
Segment | Description |
ALI | Additional Commercial Information |
MEA | Measurements — shipment weight and volume |
MOA | Monetary Amount — required for customs or regulatory purposes |
FTX | Free Text — additional notes or instructions |
Segment Groups
Segment Groups (SG) are logical groupings of related segments within the DESADV (D.96A) message. The table below lists all Segment Groups used.
Segment Group | Name | Key Segments |
SG1 | References | RFF, DTM |
SG2 | Parties | NAD, LOC |
SG3 | Party References | RFF, DTM |
SG4 | Contact Information | CTA, COM |
SG5 | Delivery Terms | TOD, LOC, FTX |
SG6 | Transportation Information | TDT, PCD |
SG8 | Equipment Information | EQD, MEA, SEL, EQA |
SG10 | Consignment Packing Structure | CPS loop |
SG15 | Despatch Line Items | LIN loop |
Detail Section — Consignment Packing Structure (SG10)
The SG10 loop uses the Consignment Packing Sequence (CPS) segment to define the hierarchical packaging structure of the shipment — for example, how items are packed into cartons, and how cartons are arranged on pallets. Each level of the packaging hierarchy is represented by a separate CPS segment.
The following segments and supporting groups appear within the SG10 loop.
Segment / Group | Description |
CPS | Consignment Packing Sequence — defines each level of the packaging hierarchy |
FTX | Free Text — additional packaging notes |
SG11 — PAC | Package Information — type, material, and quantity of packages |
SG11 — MEA | Measurements — dimensions and weight of individual packages |
SG11 — QTY | Quantity — number of packages at this packing level |
SG12 — HAN | Handling Instructions — special handling requirements for this packing level |
SG13 — PCI | Package Identification — markings, labels, and identification for packages |
SG13 — GIR | Related Identification Numbers — additional identifiers linked to a package |
SG14 — GIN | Goods Identity Number — serial numbers or batch numbers for goods |
SG14 — DLM | Delivery Limitations — restrictions or conditions on delivery of goods |
Detail Section — Despatch Line Items (SG15)
The SG15 loop is the primary line-item loop used to communicate the details of each product being shipped. Each iteration of the LIN segment represents one line item within the Despatch Advice. The following segments and supporting groups appear within the SG15 loop.
Segment / Group | Description |
LIN | Line Item — identifies each individual product line being despatched |
PIA | Additional Product Identification — alternate product codes (e.g., EAN, buyer's item number) |
IMD | Item Description — free-form or coded description of the item |
MEA | Measurements — weight, volume, or other physical measurements per line |
QTY | Quantity — despatched quantity for this line item |
ALI | Additional Information — country of origin or other line-level attributes |
DTM | Date/Time/Period — item-level date information such as expiry or production dates |
FTX | Free Text — item-level notes or instructions |
MOA | Monetary Amount — item-level monetary values for customs or regulatory purposes |
SG16 — RFF | References — line-level references such as purchase order line number |
SG17 — DGS | Dangerous Goods — classification and description of hazardous materials |
SG18 — LOC | Location Information — origin, destination, or placement location for this line |
SG19 — SGP | Split Goods Placement — indicates how goods are split across packages |
SG20 — PCI | Package Identification — markings and labels at line-item level |
SG21 — GIN | Goods Identity Numbers — serial or batch numbers at line-item level |
SG22 — HAN | Handling Information — special handling requirements at line-item level |
SG23 — QVR | Quantity Variances — communicates differences between ordered and despatched quantities |
Summary Section
The Summary Section closes out the DESADV message and provides control and totals information:
CNT — Provides shipment control totals for the message
UNT — Closes the transaction, provides the total segment count, and ensures message integrity between trading partners
Additional Resources
rev. 07/22/26