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
- 0100Transaction Set HeaderMandatoryMax 1To indicate the start of a transaction set and to assign a control number 
- 0200Beginning Segment for Shipment Information TransactionMandatoryMax 1To transmit basic data relating to shipment information 
- 0300Set PurposeOptionalMax 1To allow for positive identification of transaction set purpose 
- 0400AuthenticationOptionalMax 2To specify the authority for authorizing an action and the date authentication is made 
- 0500Shipment Type InformationOptionalMax 1To specify the General Commodity (GC) code and any required special indicators for the shipment 
- 0600Beyond RoutingOptionalMax 1To specify routing of a beyond point 
- 0700Compensation InformationOptionalMax 1To convey brokerage, freight forwarder compensation, and other compensation information related to shipments 
- 0800Extended Reference InformationOptionalMax 100To transmit identifying information as specified by the Reference Identification Qualifier 
- 0850Yes/No QuestionOptionalMax 10To identify and answer yes and no questions, including the date, time, and comments further qualifying the condition 
- 0900Vessel IdentificationOptionalMax 2To provide vessel details and voyage number 
- 1000Vessel ScheduleOptionalMax 1To transmit vessel scheduling information 
- 1100Letter of Credit ReferenceOptionalMax 1To transmit letter of credit details 
- 1150CurrencyOptionalMax 1To 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.
- M1 Loop OptionalRepeat 5- 1200InsuranceMandatoryMax 1To specify details related to insurance 
- 1250CurrencyOptionalMax 1To specify the currency (dollars, pounds, francs, etc.) used in a transaction 
 
- 1200InsuranceMandatoryMax 1
- 1300Sales/Delivery TermsOptionalMax 1To state terms and dates 
- 1400Bank IDOptionalMax 1To specify data required for electronic payment 
- 1550Terms of Sale/Deferred Terms of SaleOptionalMax 1To specify terms of sale 
- 1560Date/Time ReferenceOptionalMax 20To specify pertinent dates and times 
- N1 Loop OptionalRepeat 100- 1600Party IdentificationMandatoryMax 1To identify a party by type of organization, name, and code 
- 1700Additional Name InformationOptionalMax 2To specify additional names 
- 1800Party LocationOptionalMax 2To specify the location of the named party 
- 1900Geographic LocationOptionalMax 1To specify the geographic place of the named party 
- 1950ContactOptionalMax 3To identify a person or office to whom communications should be directed 
 
- 1600Party IdentificationMandatoryMax 1
- R4 Loop OptionalRepeat 20- 2000Port or TerminalMandatoryMax 1Contractual or operational port or point relevant to the movement of the cargo 
- 2100Date/Time ReferenceOptionalMax 15To specify pertinent dates and times 
 
- 2000Port or TerminalMandatoryMax 1
- 2160Route Information with PreferenceOptionalMax 25To specify the responsibilities and carrier preference 
- 2200Route InformationOptionalMax 13To specify carrier and routing sequences and details 
- 2300RemarksOptionalMax 12To transmit information in a free-form format for comment or special instruction 
- 2400Business Instructions and Reference NumberOptionalMax 99To specify instructions in this business relationship or a reference number 
- 2500Special Handling InstructionsOptionalMax 20To specify special handling instructions in coded or free-form format 
- 2600Description, Marks and NumbersOptionalMax 999To specify the line item in terms of description, quantity, packaging, and marks and numbers 
- 2700Export LicenseOptionalMax 25To transmit information contained on an export license 
- 2800Import LicenseOptionalMax 5To transmit import license number and effective dates 
- C8 Loop OptionalRepeat 20- 2900Certifications and ClausesMandatoryMax 1To specify applicable certifications and clauses 
- 2950Certifications Clauses ContinuationOptionalMax 5To specify additional applicable certifications and clauses 
- 3000Supplementary InformationOptionalMax 10To provide processible supplementary information 
 
- 2900Certifications and ClausesMandatoryMax 1
Detail
- LX Loop OptionalRepeat 999- 0100Transaction Set Line NumberMandatoryMax 1To reference a line number in a transaction set 
- 0200Container DetailsOptionalMax 10To specify container information and transportation service to be used 
- N7 Loop OptionalRepeat 999- 0300Equipment DetailsMandatoryMax 1To identify the equipment 
- 0350Quantity InformationOptionalMax 1To specify quantity information 
- 0380MeasurementOptionalMax 1To describe physical dimensions and quantities 
- 0400Equipment EnvironmentOptionalMax 1To describe the operating environment of the equipment 
- 0500Seal NumbersOptionalMax 5To record seal numbers used and the organization that applied the seals 
- 0550Seal Number ReplacementOptionalMax 100To provide an audit trail of seal number changes 
- 0600Equipment and TemperatureOptionalMax 1To relate equipment type and required temperatures 
- 0620Hazardous CertificationOptionalMax 6To specify the name of the person certifying that the shipment complies with the regulations and/or the actual certification 
- L1 Loop OptionalRepeat 20- 0700Rate and ChargesMandatoryMax 1To specify rate and charges detail relative to a line item including freight charges, advances, special charges, and entitlements 
- 0800CurrencyOptionalMax 1To specify the currency (dollars, pounds, francs, etc.) used in a transaction 
 
- 0700Rate and ChargesMandatoryMax 1
- 1000Tariff ReferenceOptionalMax 1To reference details of the tariff used to arrive at applicable rates or charge 
- 1100Export LicenseOptionalMax 25To transmit information contained on an export license 
- 1200Import LicenseOptionalMax 5To transmit import license number and effective dates 
- 1300Extended Reference InformationOptionalMax 100To transmit identifying information as specified by the Reference Identification Qualifier 
- H1 Loop OptionalRepeat 10- 1350Hazardous MaterialMandatoryMax 1To specify information relative to hazardous material 
- 1370Additional Hazardous Material DescriptionOptionalMax 10To specify free-form hazardous material descriptive data in addition to the information provided in the H1 segment 
 
- 1350Hazardous MaterialMandatoryMax 1
- LH1 Loop OptionalRepeat 100- 1400Hazardous Identification InformationMandatoryMax 1To specify the hazardous commodity identification reference number and quantity 
- 1410Hazardous Classification InformationOptionalMax 4To 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.
- 1420Hazardous Material Shipping Name InformationOptionalMax 10To specify the hazardous material shipping name and additional descriptive requirements 
- 1430Free-form Hazardous Material InformationOptionalMax 25To uniquely identify the variable information required by government regulation covering the transportation of hazardous material shipments 
- 1440EPA Required DataOptionalMax 3To specify the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) information relating to shipments of hazardous material 
- 1450Canadian Dangerous RequirementsOptionalMax 1To specify additional Transport Canada requirements covering transportation of dangerous goods in Canada 
- 1460Transborder Hazardous RequirementsOptionalMax 3To specify the placard information required by the second government agency when shipment is to cross into another country 
- 1470Hazardous Material Identifying Reference NumbersOptionalMax 10To transmit specific hazardous material reference numbers 
- 1480Administrative Communications ContactOptionalMax 5To identify a person or office to whom administrative communications should be directed 
 
- 1400Hazardous Identification InformationMandatoryMax 1
 
- 0300Equipment DetailsMandatoryMax 1
- 1510Business Instructions and Reference NumberOptionalMax 100To specify instructions in this business relationship or a reference number 
- 1600RemarksOptionalMax 10To transmit information in a free-form format for comment or special instruction 
- PO4 Loop OptionalRepeat 100- 1620Item Physical DetailsMandatoryMax 1To 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.
- 1640MeasurementsOptionalMax 5To specify physical measurements or counts, including dimensions, tolerances, variances, and weights (See Figures Appendix for example of use of C001) 
- 1660Marks and Numbers InformationOptionalMax 5To indicate identifying marks and numbers for shipping containers 
- 1680Extended Reference InformationOptionalMax 5To transmit identifying information as specified by the Reference Identification Qualifier 
 
- 1620Item Physical DetailsMandatoryMax 1
- L0 Loop OptionalRepeat 120- 1700Line Item - Quantity and WeightMandatoryMax 1To specify quantity, weight, volume, and type of service for a line item including applicable "quantity/rate-as" data 
- 1710MeasurementsOptionalMax 10To specify physical measurements or counts, including dimensions, tolerances, variances, and weights (See Figures Appendix for example of use of C001) 
- 1715Extended Reference InformationOptionalMax 100To transmit identifying information as specified by the Reference Identification Qualifier 
- PO4 Loop OptionalRepeat 100- 1720Item Physical DetailsMandatoryMax 1To 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.
- 1730MeasurementsOptionalMax 5To specify physical measurements or counts, including dimensions, tolerances, variances, and weights (See Figures Appendix for example of use of C001) 
- 1740Marks and Numbers InformationOptionalMax 5To indicate identifying marks and numbers for shipping containers 
- 1750Extended Reference InformationOptionalMax 5To transmit identifying information as specified by the Reference Identification Qualifier 
 
- 1720Item Physical DetailsMandatoryMax 1
- 1760Quantity InformationOptionalMax 5To 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.
- 1770MeasurementOptionalMax 1To describe physical dimensions and quantities 
- 1780Hazardous CertificationOptionalMax 6To specify the name of the person certifying that the shipment complies with the regulations and/or the actual certification 
- PAL Loop OptionalRepeat 3- 1790Pallet Type and Load CharacteristicsMandatoryMax 1To identify the type and physical attributes of the pallet, and, gross weight, gross volume, and height of the load and the pallet 
- 1810Quantity InformationOptionalMax 1To specify quantity information 
 
- 1790Pallet Type and Load CharacteristicsMandatoryMax 1
- CTP Loop OptionalRepeat 1- 1830Pricing InformationMandatoryMax 1To specify pricing information 
- 1840CurrencyOptionalMax 1To specify the currency (dollars, pounds, francs, etc.) used in a transaction 
 
- 1830Pricing InformationMandatoryMax 1
- 1850Description, Marks and NumbersOptionalMax 999To specify the line item in terms of description, quantity, packaging, and marks and numbers 
- 1870Item IdentificationOptionalMax 1To specify basic item identification data 
- 1900Alternate Lading DescriptionOptionalMax 20To provide lading description beyond what is required for rating and billing purposes 
- 1970Yes/No QuestionOptionalMax 10To identify and answer yes and no questions, including the date, time, and comments further qualifying the condition 
- L1 Loop OptionalRepeat 20- 2000Rate and ChargesMandatoryMax 1To specify rate and charges detail relative to a line item including freight charges, advances, special charges, and entitlements 
- 2100CurrencyOptionalMax 1To specify the currency (dollars, pounds, francs, etc.) used in a transaction 
 
- 2000Rate and ChargesMandatoryMax 1
- 2300Tariff ReferenceOptionalMax 1To reference details of the tariff used to arrive at applicable rates or charge 
- SAC Loop OptionalRepeat 10- 2350Service, Promotion, Allowance, or Charge InformationMandatoryMax 1To request or identify a service, promotion, allowance, or charge; to specify the amount or percentage for the service, promotion, allowance, or charge 
- 2360CurrencyOptionalMax 1To specify the currency (dollars, pounds, francs, etc.) used in a transaction 
 
- 2350Service, Promotion, Allowance, or Charge InformationMandatoryMax 1
- L9 Loop OptionalRepeat 10- 2370Charge DetailMandatoryMax 1To specify special charge code and the associated monetary amount 
- 2380CurrencyOptionalMax 1To specify the currency (dollars, pounds, francs, etc.) used in a transaction 
 
- 2370Charge DetailMandatoryMax 1
- 2400Export LicenseOptionalMax 25To transmit information contained on an export license 
- 2500Import LicenseOptionalMax 5To transmit import license number and effective dates 
- C8 Loop OptionalRepeat 20- 2600Certifications and ClausesMandatoryMax 1To specify applicable certifications and clauses 
- 2610Certifications Clauses ContinuationOptionalMax 5To specify additional applicable certifications and clauses 
- 2650Supplementary InformationOptionalMax 10To provide processible supplementary information 
 
- 2600Certifications and ClausesMandatoryMax 1
- H1 Loop OptionalRepeat 10- 2700Hazardous MaterialMandatoryMax 1To specify information relative to hazardous material 
- 2800Additional Hazardous Material DescriptionOptionalMax 10To specify free-form hazardous material descriptive data in addition to the information provided in the H1 segment 
 
- 2700Hazardous MaterialMandatoryMax 1
- LH1 Loop OptionalRepeat 1000- 2900Hazardous Identification InformationMandatoryMax 1To specify the hazardous commodity identification reference number and quantity 
- 3000Hazardous Classification InformationOptionalMax 4To 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.
- 3100Hazardous Material Shipping Name InformationOptionalMax 10To specify the hazardous material shipping name and additional descriptive requirements 
- 3200Free-form Hazardous Material InformationOptionalMax 25To uniquely identify the variable information required by government regulation covering the transportation of hazardous material shipments 
- 3300EPA Required DataOptionalMax 3To specify the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) information relating to shipments of hazardous material 
- 3400Canadian Dangerous RequirementsOptionalMax 1To specify additional Transport Canada requirements covering transportation of dangerous goods in Canada 
- 3500Transborder Hazardous RequirementsOptionalMax 3To specify the placard information required by the second government agency when shipment is to cross into another country 
- 3600Hazardous Material Identifying Reference NumbersOptionalMax 5To transmit specific hazardous material reference numbers 
- 3700Administrative Communications ContactOptionalMax 5To identify a person or office to whom administrative communications should be directed 
 
- 2900Hazardous Identification InformationMandatoryMax 1
- N1 Loop OptionalRepeat 10- 3800Party IdentificationMandatoryMax 1To identify a party by type of organization, name, and code 
- 3900Additional Name InformationOptionalMax 2To specify additional names 
- 4000Party LocationOptionalMax 2To specify the location of the named party 
- 4100Geographic LocationOptionalMax 1To specify the geographic place of the named party 
- 4200ContactOptionalMax 3To identify a person or office to whom communications should be directed 
 
- 3800Party IdentificationMandatoryMax 1
 
- 1700Line Item - Quantity and WeightMandatoryMax 1
 
- 0100Transaction Set Line NumberMandatoryMax 1
Summary
- L3 Loop OptionalRepeat 1- 0100Total Weight and ChargesMandatoryMax 1To specify the total shipment in terms of weight, volume, rates, charges, advances, and prepaid amounts applicable to one or more line items 
- 0110CurrencyOptionalMax 1To specify the currency (dollars, pounds, francs, etc.) used in a transaction 
- 0150MeasurementsOptionalMax 5To specify physical measurements or counts, including dimensions, tolerances, variances, and weights (See Figures Appendix for example of use of C001) 
- 0200PaperworkOptionalMax 50To identify the type or transmission or both of paperwork or supporting information 
- 0250Supplementary InformationOptionalMax 999To provide processible supplementary information 
- L1 Loop OptionalRepeat 20- 0300Rate and ChargesMandatoryMax 1To specify rate and charges detail relative to a line item including freight charges, advances, special charges, and entitlements 
- 0400CurrencyOptionalMax 1To specify the currency (dollars, pounds, francs, etc.) used in a transaction 
 
- 0300Rate and ChargesMandatoryMax 1
- TDS Loop OptionalRepeat 1- 0420Total Monetary Value SummaryMandatoryMax 1To specify the total invoice discounts and amounts 
- 0430CurrencyOptionalMax 1To specify the currency (dollars, pounds, francs, etc.) used in a transaction 
 
- 0420Total Monetary Value SummaryMandatoryMax 1
- SAC Loop OptionalRepeat 10- 0440Service, Promotion, Allowance, or Charge InformationMandatoryMax 1To request or identify a service, promotion, allowance, or charge; to specify the amount or percentage for the service, promotion, allowance, or charge 
- 0450CurrencyOptionalMax 1To specify the currency (dollars, pounds, francs, etc.) used in a transaction 
 
- 0440Service, Promotion, Allowance, or Charge InformationMandatoryMax 1
- L9 Loop OptionalRepeat 10- 0460Charge DetailMandatoryMax 1To specify special charge code and the associated monetary amount 
- 0470CurrencyOptionalMax 1To specify the currency (dollars, pounds, francs, etc.) used in a transaction 
 
- 0460Charge DetailMandatoryMax 1
- 0480Invoice Shipment SummaryOptionalMax 5To specify summary details of total items shipped in terms of quantity, weight, and volume 
- 0500Event DetailOptionalMax 10To specify information about a specific event 
- 0600RemarksOptionalMax 999To transmit information in a free-form format for comment or special instruction 
- 0700Business Instructions and Reference NumberOptionalMax 24To specify instructions in this business relationship or a reference number 
 
- 0100Total Weight and ChargesMandatoryMax 1
- 0800Transaction Set TrailerMandatoryMax 1To indicate the end of the transaction set and provide the count of the transmitted segments (including the beginning (ST) and ending (SE) segments)