Amended reprint, 1990
This amended reprint has been prepared to correct two ambiguities in the original text.
These concern segments UNG, S0008, and UNH, S0009. The convention for assigning message version number and message release number include the last two digits of the year. In order to avoid compression of leading zeroes in these fields, which is a normal procedure in many computer progrems when the data type is specified to be numeric, and which would consequently distort the data, thd data types for message version number and message release number have been changed from numeric (n) to alphanumeric (an). Additionally, experience has shown that the foot note which appears on page 17 of the 1988 edition has been misunderstood and in order to provide clarification, the footnote has now been deleted and the status of of the message release number (0054) and controlling agency (0051) has been changed from conditional to mandatory.
In order to allow time for users to change their systems, and to provide a specific date for implementation of the changes, this amended and reprinted edition will become effective six months after publication, i.e. 1 May 1991.
Introduction
This International Standard includes, in a condensed form,
the rules on application level for the structuring of the
user data and of the associated service data in the
interchange of messages in an open environment. These rules
have been agreed by the United Nations Economic Commission
for Europe (UN/ECE) as syntax rules for Electronic Data
Interchange For administration, Commerce and Transport
(EDIFACT) and are part of the ECE Trade Data Interchange
Directory which also includes Message Design Guidelines*).
The Guidelines should be used in conjunction with this
standard.
The service specifications and protocols for Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) based on the Reference Model in ISO 7498 and issued by ISO, CCITT, CEN/CENELEC etc. may be followed for the communication of messages based on this standard. Such specifications and protocols are outside the scope of this standard.
Functional error indication/correction can be handled by special service messages following the syntax rules in this International Standard.
Normative annexes: Informative annex: A. Terminology C. Order of segments and groups of segments within a message B. Service segment specifications
2. NORMATIVE REFERENCES
The following standards contain provisions which, through
reference in this text, constitute provisions of this
International Standard. At the time of publication, the
editions indicated were valid. All standards are subject to
revision, and parties to agreements based on this
International Standard are encouraged to investigate the
possibility of applying the most recent editions of the
standards listed below. Members of IEC and ISO maintain
registers of currently valid International Standards.
ISO 31/0-1981 General principles concerning quantities, units and symbols ISO 646-1983 Information processing - ISO 7-bit coded character set for information interchange ISO 2382/1-1984 Data processing - Vocabulary - Part 01: Fundamental terms ISO 2382/4-1987 Data processing - Vocabulary - Section 04: Organization of data ISO 6523-1984 Data interchange - Structures for the identification of organizations ISO 6937/2-1983 Information processing - Coded character sets for text communication ISO 7372-1986 Trade Data Elements Directory, (UNTDED) ISO 7498-1984 Open Systems Interconnection - Basic Reference Model ISO 8859-1987 Information processing - 8-bit single byte coded graphic character sets
4. SYNTAX LEVELS
This International Standard specifies syntax levels A and B
which are identical in all respects except for the character
sets used. As requirements for additional syntactical
features appear, further levels may be added.
Unless interchange partners agree to use other or additional characters, level A shall use only the character set specified in clause 5.1, and level B only the character set specified in clause 5.2
The conditional Service String Advice, UNA, (see annex B) provides the capability to specify the separator and other service characters used in the interchange in case they differ from those in clause 5.
5. CHARACTER SETS
For the characters in the sets below, the 7-bit codes in the
basic ISO 646 standard shall be used, unless the
corresponding 8-bit codes in ISO 6937 and 8859 or other bit
codes are specifically agreed between the interchanging
partners. See clause 4.
Letters, upper case A to Z Numerals 0 to 9 Space character Full stop . Comma , Hyphen/minus sign - Opening parentheses ( Closing parentheses ) Oblique stroke (slash) / Equals sign = Reserved for use as: Apostrophe ' segment terminator Plus sign + segment tag and data element separator Colon : component data element separator Question mark ? release character? immediately preceding one of the characters ' + : ? restores their normal meaning. E.g. 10?+10=20 means 10+10=20. Question mark is represented by ??.The following characters are part of the level A character set but cannot be used internationally in telex transmissions:
Exclamation mark ! Quotation mark " Percentage sign % Ampersand & Asterisk * Semi-colon ; Less-than sign < Greater-than sign >5.2 Level B character set
This character set is not intended for transmission to telex machines.
Letters, upper case A to Z Letters, lower case a to z Numerals 0 to 9 Space character Full stop . Comma , Hyphen/minus sign - Opening parentheses ( Closing parentheses ) Oblique stroke (slash) / Apostrophe ' Plus sign + Colon : Equals sign = Question mark ? Exclamation mark ! Quotation mark " Percentage sign % Ampersand & Asterisk * Semi-colon ; Less-than sign < Greater-than sign >Information separator IS 4 segment terminatorInformation separator IS 3 data element separator
Information separator IS 1 component data element separator
6. STRUCTURES
6.1 Interchange structure
The Service String Advice, UNA, and the service segments UNB to UNZ shall appear in the below stated order in an interchange. There may be several functional groups or messages within an interchange and several messages in a functional group. A message consists of segments. The structures for segments and for data elements therein are shown in 6.2 and 6.3. The contents of the service segments are shown annex B. See also figure 1.An interchange consists of:
Service String Advice UNA Conditional _____ Interchange Header UNB Mandatory | ___ Functional Group Header UNG Conditional | | _ Message Header UNH Mandatory | | | User Data Segments As required | | |_ Message Trailer UNT Mandatory | |___ Functional Group Trailer UNE Conditional |_____ Interchange Trailer UNZ Mandatory In addition to the above service segments, the service segment UNS can, when required, be used to divide a message into sections. See annex B. ----------------------------------------- |Establishment |CONNECTION| Termination | A CONNECTION contains one --------------------|-------------------- or more interchanges. The | technical protocols for | for establishment | maintenance and | termination etc.are not +-------------------+-------------------+ part of this standard. | | ----------------------------------------- |Interchange |INTERCHANGE |Interchange | An INTERCHANGE contains: -------------------|--------------------- - UNA, Service string | advice, if used | - UNB, Interchange header | - Either only Functional | groups, if used, or | only Messages | .....--------------+--------------------+ - UNZ, Interchange trailer . | | ----------------------------------------- |UNA|UNB|'| Either |or only |UNZ|'| A FUNCTIONAL GROUP contains | | | |FUNCTION.GRPS|MESSAGES | | | - UNG, Functional group -----------------|----------.------------ header | . - Messages of the same | . type +----------------+----------.-----------+ - UNE, Functional group | +........+..+ | trailer | . . | ----------------------------------------- |UNG |'|Message |MESSAGE |Message |UNE|'| A MESSAGE contains: --------------------|-------------------- - UNH, Message header | - Data segments +-------------------+-------------------+ - UNT, Message trailer | | ----------------------------------------- |UNH |'|Data |DATA |Data |UNT|'| A SEGMENT contains: | | |segment |SEGMENT |segment | | | - A Segment TAG -------------------|--------------------- - Simple data elements or | - Composite data elements +------------------+-------------------+ or both as applicable | | ---------------------------------------- |TAG |+|SIMPLE |+|COMPOSITE |'| A SEGMENT TAG contains: | | |DATA ELEMENT | |DATA ELEMENT | | - A segment code and, ---|--------------|----------|-----|---- if explicit indication, | | | | repeating and nesting | | | | value(s). See 8.1 and 9. | | | | | | | | A SIMPLE DATA ELEMENT contains -------------- ------- ------------- - A single data element |Code|:|Value| |Value| |COMP|:|COMP| value -------------- ------- |D/E | |D/E | A COMPOSITE DATA ELEMENT | | | | contains: --|------|--- - Component data elements | | ------- ------- A COMPONENT DATA ELEMENT | | | | contains: |Value| |Value| - A single data element ------- ------- value --.-- --|-- . means alternative to |Figure 1 - Hierarchical structure of an interchangeUNA, UNB, UNZ, UNG, UNE, UNH and UNT are Service segments, see 6.1 and Annex B
In the diagram, the level A separators/terminators have been used, see 5.1.
6.2 Order of segments and groups of segments within a message
A message structure diagram and the order of the segments following the processing rules in the ECE Message Design Guidelines is shown in annex C.Segment Tag, composed of Mandatory Segment Code Mandatory component data element Component data element separator Conditional Nesting and repeating indication Conditional component data element(s) Data element separator Mandatory Simple or composite data elements Mandatory or conditional as specified in the relevant segments directory, see 6.4 Segment Terminator Mandatory6.4 Data element structure
Simple Data Element, or Mandatory or conditional as Composite Data Element specified in the relevant with segments directory Component data elements and Component data element separators Mandatory (see restriction below) Data element separator Mandatory (see restriction below)There shall be no component data element separator after the last component data element in a composite data element and no data element separator after the last data element in a segment.
7. COMPRESSING
In data elements for which the Data Elements Directory specifies variable length and there are no other restrictions, insignificant character positions shall be suppressed. In the case of insignificant characters, leading zeroes and trailing spaces shall be suppressed.Note, however, that a single zero before a decimal mark is significant (see clause 10.1) and that a zero may be significant (e.g. to indicate a temperature) if so stated in the data elements specification.
When compressing messages, the rules below shall be followed.
In the following examples of the rules, "Tag" represents a segment tag, "DE" a data element and "CE" a component data element. The separators in level A in clause 5.1 are used.
7.1 Exclusion of segments
Conditional segments containing no data shall be omitted (including their segment tags).
7.2 Exclusion of data elements by omission
Data elements are identified by their sequential positions within the segment as stated in the Segment Directory. If a conditional data element is omitted and is followed by an other data element, its position shall be indicated by retention of its data element separator
Tag+DE+DE+++DE+DE+DE' ||_________ These two data elements are omitted7.3 Exclusion of data elements by truncation
If one or more conditional data elements at the end of a segment are omitted, the segment may be truncated by the segment terminator, i.e. contiguous trailing data element separators are not required to be transmitted.
Tag+DE+DE+++DE' Using the example from 7.2, the last two | data elements have been omitted and |__ the segment truncated7.4 Exclusion of component data elements by omission
Component data elements are identified by their given sequential positions within a composite data element. If a conditional component data element is omitted and is followed by another component data element, its given position must be represented by its component data element separator.
Tag+DE+CE:CE+CE:::CE' Two component data elements omitted ||______ in the last composite data element7.5 Exclusion of component data elements by truncation
One or more conditional component data elements at the end of a composite data element may be excluded by truncation by the data element separator or, if at the end of a segment, by the segment terminator.
Tag+DE+CE+CE' Using the example from 7.4, the last | | component data element in the first composite | | data element has been omitted and also three | | component data elements in the last composite | | data element. In both cases the composite | | data elements have been truncated, indicated | | in the first case by the data element | | separator and in the second case by the |__|__ segment terminator.8. REPETITION
8.1 Repetition of segments
Within a given message type, either explicit or implicit repetition techniques shall be used and this decision shall be taken during message design. The two techniques shall not be mixed within the same message.Indication of repetition shall either be explicit as a component data element being part of the segment tag composite data element that heads a segment (see clauses 8.1.1 and 9.1) or be implicitly understood from the sequence of the segments as stated in the relevant message specification (see clause 8.1.2).
Segments at level 0 (see annex C) shall not be repeated and their tags include no repeating indication.
Service segments (see annex B), excluding TXT, shall not be repeated and their tags include no repeating indication.
8.1.1 Explicit indication of repetition
In the segment tag, the first component data element shall be the segment code and the last of the subsequent component data elements shall indicate the incidence of repetition of the segment. See clause 9.1.
8.1.2 Implicit indication of repetition
The segments within a message shall appear in the order stated in the message type specification. Therefore it can be implicitly understood which segments are repeated, identified by their ordinal positions.
8.2 Repetition of data elements
Data elements (DE) shall not be repeated within a segment more than the number of times prescribed in the relevant segment directory. If less, the exclusion rules in clauses 7.2 to 7.5 shall apply.
Tag+...+DE1+DE1+++...' || 2 of prescribed up to 4 repeats of DE1 ||_ omitted.It is, however, sometimes practical to structure repeatable elements as component data elements (CE) in composite elements, thereby allowing truncation by the data element separator. This may also apply to specified repeatable sequences of data elements, e.g. the sequence CE1:CE2:CE3.
Tag+...+CE1:CE2:CE3:CE1:CE2:CE3+...' | Truncation by the data | element separator after |_ 2 sequences.9. NESTING OF SEGMENTS
A segment may depend on a segment on a higher hierarchical level in the message structure and consequently be nested in that segment.Within a given message type, either explicit or implicit nesting techniques shall be used and this decision shall be taken during message design. The two techniques shall not be mixed within the same message.
Indication of nesting shall either be explicit as component data elements being part of the segment tag composite data element that heads a segment (see clause 9.1) or be implicitly understood from the sequence of the segments as stated in the relevant message specification *) (see clause 9.2).
Service segments (see annex B) and other segments at level 0 (see annex C) shall not be nested and their tags include no nesting indication.
9.1 Explicit indication of nesting
In the segment tag, the first component data element shall be the segment code and be followed by conditional component data elements indicating both the level and the incidence of repetition of the segment as stated in clause 8.1.1.The number of component data elements used for this purpose depends upon the hierarchical level in which the segment appears in the message structure diagram. See annex C. After the segment code, the next component data element (which is for the first control count) shall be used if the segment appears at level one, the second as well if it appears at level two, the third as well at level 3 etc.
When a conditional segment on a higher level is not used in an application, the level indication shall show component data element separators for the levels not used and the segment shall appear before segments which include an indication at that level. See example below.
*) See Message Design Guidelines
EXAMPLES of messages using explicit repeating and nesting indication
Level A separators have been used in the examples. See annex C for further diagram explanations.
EXAMPLE 1. Message with one level of mandatory segment nesting:
Level Message __________________________________ | | | | | | 0 UNH AAA | __|__ EEE UNT M 1 M 1 | | | C 1 M 1 1 BBB |CCC| M 2 |M 1| | | | | | | 2 |DDD| |M 9| |___| |M 2| |___| Segments Explanations UNH+data' AAA+data' BBB:1+data' Item 1 of BBB BBB:2+data' Item 2 of BBB CCC:1+data' Item 1 of CCC DDD:1:1+data' Item 1 of DDD in CCC(1) DDD:1:2+data' Item 2 of DDD in CCC(1) CCC:2+data' Item 2 of CCC DDD:2:1+data' Item 1 of DDD in CCC(2) EEE+data' UNT+data' In string form: UNH+dat'AAA+data'BBB:1+data'BBB:2+data'CCC:1+data'DDD: 1:1+data'DDD:1:2+data'CCC:2+data'DDD:2:1+data'EEE+data' UNT+data' EXAMPLE 2 - Message with two levels of conditional segment nesting which could be containers (CCC), boxes (DDD) and goods items (EEE): Level Message _____________________________ | | | | | 0 UNH AAA | __|__ UNT M 1 M 1 | | | M 1 1 BBB |CCC| M 2 |C 1| | | | | | | 2 |DDD| |C 9| | | | | | | 3 |EEE| |M 9| |___| |M20| |___| Segments Explanations UNH+data' AAA+data' BBB:1+data' Item 1 of BBB BBB:2+data' Item 2 of BBB EEE:::1+data' Item 1 of EEE without DDD and CCC EEE:::2+data' Item 2 of EEE without DDD and CCC CCC:1+data' 1st occurrence of CCC DDD:1:1+data' 1st occurrence of DDD within CCC(1) EEE:1:1:1+data' EEE(1) within DDD(1) within CCC(1) EEE:1:1:2+data' EEE(2) within DDD(1) within CCC(1) DDD:1:2+data' DDD(2) within CCC(1) EEE:1:2:1+data EEE(1) within DDD(2) within CCC(1) CCC:2+data' CCC(2) EEE:2::1+data' EEE(1) within CCC(2) without DDD UNT+data In string form: UNH+data'AAA+data'BBB:1+data'BBB:2+data'EEE:::1+data'EEE: ::2+data'CCC:1+data'DDD:1:1+data'EEE:1:1:1+data'EEE:1:1: 2+data'DDD:1:2+data'EEE:1:2:1+data'CCC:2+data'EEE:2::1+ data'UNT+data'9.2 Implicit nesting indication
The order of the segments specified in the message structure diagram (top to bottom, left to right) shall be followed strictly. Thereby the nesting relation between the segments is implicitly evident and no further indication is required for processing.
10. REPRESENTATION OF NUMERIC DATA ELEMENT VALUES
10.1 Decimal mark
The ISO representation for decimal mark is the comma ( , ) but point on the line ( . ) is allowed. See ISO 31/0-1981. Both these characters are part of the Level A and B sets in clause 5 and both alternatives are allowed.When the Service string advice, UNA, is used, its third character specifies the one character used in the interchange to represent decimal mark and thus overrides the above alternative use.
The decimal mark shall not be counted as a character of the value when computing the maximum field length of a data element. However, allowance has to be made for the character in transmission and reception.
When a decimal mark is transmitted, there shall be at least one digit before and after the decimal mark. For values represented by integers only, neither decimal mark nor decimal zeroes are used unless there is a need to indicate the degree of precision.
Preferred 0,5 and 2 and 2,0
Allowed 0.5 and 2 and 2.0
Not allowed: ,5 or .5 or 2, or 2.
10.2 Triad separator
Triad separators shall not be used in interchange.
Allowed: 2500000 Not allowed: 2,500,000 or 2.500.000 or 2 500 00010.3 Sign
Numeric data element values shall be regarded as positive. Although conceptually a deduction is negative, it shall be represented by a positive value and such cases shall be indicated in the data elements directory.If a value is to be indicated to be negative, it shall in transmission be immediately preceded by a minus sign e.g. -112
The minus sign shall not be counted as a character of the value when computing the maximum field length of a data element. However, allowance has to be made for the character in transmission and reception.
ANNEX A (Normative)
DEFINITIONS
Some terms in this International Standard have been defined in other ISO standards and have been included for the benefit of the reader. The responsibility for these terms, indicated by the number of the standard, rests with the committee concerned. In cases where the definitions pertinent for this standard are restrictions of such terms with a wider concept, the indication "UN/EDIFACT" is used.A.1 alphabetic character set: A character set that contains letters and may contain control characters and special characters but not digits (ISO 2382/4)
A.2 alpha character set: A character set that contains both letters and digits and may contain control characters and special characters (ISO 2382/4)
A.3 application message type: A basic message type adapted to suit a certain application area
A.4 character set: A finite set of different characters that is considered complete for a given purpose (ISO 2382/4)
A.5 common access reference: Key to relate all subsequent transfers of data to the same business file
A.6 component data element: A simple data element which is a subordinate portion of a composite data element and in interchange identified by its position within the composite data element
A.7 component data element separator: A character used to separate the component data elements in a composite data element
A.8 composite data element: A data element containing two or more component data elements
A.9 conditional: A statement in a segment or message directory of a condition for the use of a segment, a data element, a composite data element or a component data element (cf. mandatory)
A.10 connection: An established link for transmission of data
A.11 data: A representation of facts, concepts or instructions in a formalized manner suitable for communication, interpretation or processing by human beings or by automatic means (ISO 2382/1)
A.12 data element: A unit of data which in a certain context is considered indivisible (ISO 2382/4) UN/EDIFACT: A unit of data for which the identification, description and value representation have been specified
A.13 data elements directory: A listing of identified, named and described data element attributes, with specifications as to how the corresponding data element values shall be represented
A.14 data element name: One or more words in a natural language identifying a data element concept
A.15 data element separator: A character used to separate data elements in a segment
A.16 data element tag: A unique identifier for a data element in a data elements directory
A.17 data element value: The specific entry of an identified data element represented as specified in a data elements directory
A.18 functional group: One or more messages of the same type headed by a functional group header service segment and ending with a functional group trailer service segment
A.19 functional group header: The service segment heading and identifying the functional group
A.20 functional group trailer: The service segment ending a functional group
A.21 identifier: A character or group of characters used to identify or name an item of data and possibly to indicate certain properties of that data (ISO 2382/4)
A.22 interchange: Communication between partners in the form of a structured set of messages and service segments starting with an interchange control header and ending with an interchange control trailer
A.23 interchange control header: The service segment starting and identifying an interchange
A.24 interchange control trailer: The service segment ending an interchange
A.25 mandatory: A statement in a segment or message directory which specifies that a segment, a data element, a composite data element or a component data element must be used (cf. conditional)
A.26 message: An ordered series of characters intended to convey information (ISO 2382/16) UN/EDIFACT: A set of segments in the order specified in a Message directory starting with the Message header and ending with the Message trailer
A.27 message directory: A listing of identified, named, described and specified message types
A.28 message header: The service segment starting and uniquely identifying a message
A.29 message trailer: The service segment ending a message
A.30 message type: An identified and structured set of data elements covering the requirements for a specified type of transaction, e.g. invoice.
A.31 nested segment: A segment which directly relates to an other segment in an identified and structured group of segments covering the requirements for a specific message type
A.32 numeric character set: A character set that contains digits and may contain control characters and special characters but not letters (ISO 2382/4)
A.33 omission: Exclusion in an actual message of one or more units of data which are defined as conditional in a message type specification
A.34 qualifier: A data element whose value shall be expressed as a code that gives specific meaning to the function of another data element or a segment
A.35 release character: A character used to restore to its original meaning any character used as a syntactical separator
A.36 repeating segment: A segment which may repeat in a message as specified in the relevant message type specification
A.37 segment: A predefined and identified set of functionally related data elements values which are identified by their sequential positions within the set. A segment starts with a segment tag and ends with a segment terminator. It can be a service segment or a user data segment
A.38 segment code: A code which uniquely identifies each segment as specified in a segment directory
A.39 segment tag: A composite data element, in which the first component data element contains a code which uniquely identifies a segment as specified in the relevant segment directory. Additional component data elements can be conditionally used to indicate the hierarchical level and nesting relation in a message and the incidence of repetition of the segment
A.40 segment terminator: A syntax character indicating the end of a segment
A.41 segments directory: A listing of identified, named, described and specified segments
A.42 separator character: A character used for syntactical separation of data
A.43 service data element: A data element used in service segments
A.44 service segment: A segment required to service the interchange of user data
A.45 service string advice: A character string at the beginning of an interchange defining the syntactically delimiting characters and indicators used in the interchange
A.46 simple data element: A data element containing a single value
A.47 syntax rules: Rules governing the structure of an interchange and its functional groups, messages, segments and data elements
A.48 transfer: A communication from one partner to another
A.49 user data segment: A segment containing application data
ANNEX B (Normative)
SERVICE SEGMENTS SPECIFICATIONS
The full description of the data elements in the service segments is part of ISO 7372 Trade Data Elements Directory (UNTDED).Legend:
Ref. The numeric reference tag for the data element as stated in ISO 7372/UNTDED and, when preceded by S, reference for a composite data element used in service segments Name Name of COMPOSITE DATA ELEMENT in capital letters Name of DATA ELEMENT in capital letters Name of Component data element in small letters Repr. Data value representation: a alphabetic characters n numeric characters an alpha-numeric characters a3 3 alphabetic characters, fixed length n3 3 numeric characters, fixed length an3 3 alpha-numeric characters, fixed length a..3 up to 3 alphabetic characters n..3 up to 3 numeric characters an..3 up to 3 alpha-numeric characters M Mandatory element C Conditional element.Note that a mandatory component data element in a conditional composite data element must appear when the composite data element is usedRemarks IA Interchange Agreement between interchanging partners
UNA, Service String adviceFunction: To define the characters selected for use as delimiters and indicators in the rest of the interchange that follows:
The specifications in the Service string advice take precedence over the specifications for delimiters etc. in segment UNB. See clause 4.
When transmitted, the Service string advice must appear immediately before the Interchange Header (UNB) segment and begin with the upper case characters UNA immediately followed by the six characters selected by the sender to indicate, in sequence, the following functions:
Repr. Name Remarks an1 M COMPONENT DATA ELEMENT SEPARATOR an1 M DATA ELEMENT SEPARATOR an1 M DECIMAL NOTATION Comma or full stop an1 M RELEASE INDICATOR If not used, insert space character an1 M Reserved for future Insert space character use an1 M SEGMENT TERMINATORSegment: UNB, Interchange HeaderFunction: To start, identify and specify an interchange
Ref. Repr. Name Remarks S001 M SYNTAX IDENTIFIER 0001 a4 M Syntax identifier a3, upper case Controlling Agency (e.g. UNO=UN/ECE) and a1 stating level (e.g. A) (which together give UNOA) 0002 n1 M Syntax version number Increments 1 for each new version. Shall be 2 to indicate this version ___________________________________________________________________ S002 M INTERCHANGE SENDER 0004 an..35 M Sender identification Code or name as specified in IA 0007 an..4 C Partner identification Used with sender code qualifier identification code 0008 an..14 C Address for reverse routing ___________________________________________________________________ S003 M INTERCHANGE RECIPIENT 0010 an..35 M Recipient Identification Code or name as specified in IA 0007 an..4 C Partner identification Used with recipient code qualifier identification code 0014 an..14 C Routing address If used, normally coded sub-address for onward routing ___________________________________________________________________ S004 M DATE/TIME OF PREPARATION 0017 n6 M Date YYMMDD 0019 n4 M Time HHMM ___________________________________________________________________ 0020 an..14 M INTERCHANGE CONTROL Unique reference REFERENCE assigned by sender ___________________________________________________________________ S005 C RECIPIENTS REFERENCE, PASSWORD 0022 an..14 M Recipient's reference/ As specified in IA. May password be password to recipient's system or to third party network 0025 an2 C Recipient's reference/ If specified in IA password qualifier ___________________________________________________________________ 0026 an..14 C APPLICATION REFERENCE Optionally message identification if the interchange contains only one type of message ___________________________________________________________________ 0029 a1 C PROCESSING PRIORITY CODE Used if specified in IA ___________________________________________________________________ 0031 n1 C ACKNOWLEDGEMENT REQUEST Set = 1 if sender requests acknowledgement, i.e. UNB and UNZ segments received and identified ___________________________________________________________________ 0032 an..35 C COMMUNICATIONS AGREEMENT If used, to identify ID type of communication agreement controlling the interchange, e.g. Customs or ECE agreement. Code or name as specified in IA ___________________________________________________________________ 0035 n1 C TEST INDICATOR Set = 1 if the interchange is a test. Otherwise not used used
Segment: UNZ, Interchange Trailer Function: To end and check the completeness of an interchange Ref. Repr. Name Remarks 0036 n..6 M INTERCHANGE CONTROL COUNT The count of the number of messages or, if used, the number of functional groups in the interchange. One of these counts shall appear. ___________________________________________________________________ 0020 an..14 M INTERCHANGE CONTROL Shall be identical to REFERENCE 0020 in UNB
Segment: UNG, Functional Group Header Function: To head, identify and specify a Functional Group Ref. Repr. Name Remarks 0038 an..6 M FUNCTIONAL GROUP Identifies the one IDENTIFICATION message type in the functional group ___________________________________________________________________ S006 M APPLICATION SENDER'S IDENTIFICATION 0040 an..35 M Application sender's Code or name identifying identification the division, department etc. within the originating sender's organization 0007 an..4 C Partner identification May be used if sender code qualifier identification is a code ___________________________________________________________________ S007 M APPLICATION RECIPIENTS IDENTIFICATION 0044 an..35 M Recipient's Code or name identification identifying the division,department etc. within the recipients organization for which the group of messages is intended 0007 an..4 C Recipients May be used if identification qualifer recipient identification is a code ___________________________________________________________________ S004 M DATE/TIME OF PREPARATION 0017 n6 M Date YYMMDD 0019 n4 M Time HHMM ___________________________________________________________________ 0048 an..14 M FUNCTIONAL GROUP REFERENCE Unique reference NUMBER number assigned by sender's division, department etc. ___________________________________________________________________ 0051 an..2 M CONTROLLING AGENCY Code to identify the agency controlling the specification, maintenance and publication of the message type ___________________________________________________________________ S008 M MESSAGE VERSION 0052 an..3 M Message version number Version number of the message type the functional group 0054 an..3 M Message release number Release number within current version number 0057 an..6 C Association assigned Code A code assigned by the association responsible for the design and maintenance of the type of message concerned ___________________________________________________________________ 0058 an..14 C APPLICATION PASSWORD Password to recepient's division, department or sectional system (if required)
Segment: UNE, Functional Group Trailer Function: To end and check the completeness of a Functional Group Ref. Repr. Name Remarks 0060 n..6 M NUMBER OF MESSAGES The count of the number of messages in the functional group ___________________________________________________________________ 0048 an..14 M FUNCTIONAL GROUP Shall be identical to REFERENCE NUMBER 0048 in UNG
Segment: UNH, Message Header Function: To head, identify and specify a Message Ref. Repr. Name Remarks 0062 an..14 M MESSAGE REFERENCE NUMBER A sender's unique message reference ___________________________________________________________________ S009 M MESSAGE IDENTIFIER 0065 an..6 M Message type Type of message being transmitted 0052 an..3 M Message version number Version number of the message type. If UNG is used, 0052 shall be identical 0054 an..3 M Message release number Release number within current version number 0051 an..2 M Controlling agency Code to identify the agency controlling the specification, maintenance and publication of the message type 0057 an..6 C Association assigned A code assigned code by the association responsible for the design and maintenance of the message type ___________________________________________________________________ 0068 an..35 C COMMON ACCESS REFERENCE Key to relate all subsequent transfers of data to the same business case of file. Within the 35 characters the IA may specify component elements ___________________________________________________________________ S010 C STATUS OF THE TRANSFER 0070 n..2 M Sequence of transfers Starts at 1 and is incremented by 1 for each transfer 0073 a1 C First and last transfer C = Creation, must be present for first transfer if more than one foreseen F = Final, must be present for last transfer *) Not required if provided in UNG
Segment: UNT, Message Trailer Function: To end and check the completeness of a Message Ref. Repr. Name Remarks 0074 n..6 M NUMBER OF SEGMENTS IN THE Control count MESSAGE including UNH and UNT ___________________________________________________________________ 0062 an..14 M MESSAGE REFERENCE NUMBER Shall be identical to 0062 in UNH
Segment: TXT, Text Function: To give information in addition to that in other segments in the service message, as required NOTE: Can not be machine processed. Should be avoided if not necessarily required. Normally a conditional segment. It may repeat up to the number of times indicated in the message specification which may not be higher than 5. Ref. Repr. Name Remarks 0077 an3 C TEXT REFERENCE CODE Qualifies and identifies the purpose and function of the segment if indicated in the message specification ___________________________________________________________________ 0078 an..70 M FREE FORM TEXT Not machine-processable information
Segment: UNS, Section Control Function: To separate Header, Detail and Summary sections of a message NOTE: To be used by message designers when required to avoid ambiguities. Mandatory only if specified for the type of message concerned. Ref. Repr. Name Remarks 0081 a1 M SECTION IDENTIFICATION Separates sections in a message by one of the following codes: D separates the header and detail sections S separates the detail and summary sectionsANNEX C (Informative)
ORDER OF SEGMENTS AND GROUPS OF SEGMENTS WITHIN A MESSAGE
The segments used in a message shall appear in the sequence (top to bottom, left to right) specified in the Message Diagram.Segments are indicated by their codes. The requirement for their inclusion in the message, i.e. their status, is indicated directly below the codes by the letter M for mandatory or C for conditional. The number of times a segment may appear in each instance is indicated directly thereafter. A mandatory segment shall appear at least once but not more times than indicated. A conditional segment may be excluded or appear up to the number of times indicated.
When a segment nests in an other segment, it shall be placed on the next lower level in the diagram. Segments in level zero shall not be repeated and shall not contain nested segments.
Two or more segments can be grouped. This is indicated by a box in the diagram. The group and the segments in the box can be mandatory or conditional and can appear up to the number of times indicated. A group can contain another, lower level group or groups (Gr.3 and Gr.4 in the example).
A message shall begin with the message header segment UNH and end with the message trailer segment UNT.
EXAMPLE: Parts of a fictitious message type:
Level ___________________________________________________________ | | | | | | | | 0 UNH AAA | | | | | UNT M 1 M 1 | | _______________ | _______ | M 1 1 BBB CCC | DDD | HHH | III | LLL C10 C10 | M 1 | C 5 | M 1 | C 5 | | | |__ __| | ___________ | || | || | | | | | || | || 2 |EEE FFF GGG| || | || |C10 C 5 C 5| ||JJJ|| |_____________| ||M 1|| |Group 1 C 200| || | || |_____________| || | || || | || Segment Group 1 || | || 3 Conditional ||KKK|| Repeatable up ||C 1|| to 200 times ||___|| ||Gr3|| ||C10|| ||___|| |_____| Segment Group 3 |Gr.4 | inside Group 4 |C 10 | |_____| Segments may alternatively be represented as follows: _____ |UNH| |___| |M|1| |___| The processing/sequencing order of the segments is as follows (Group 1 appearing twice, the other groups once and segments not repeated): UNH,AAA,BBB,CCC,DDD,EEE,FFF,GGG,DDD,EEE,FFF,GGG,HHH,..,III,JJJ,KKK,.. .,LLL,UNT