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EDIFACT message guide · Shipping and logistics

DESADV Despatch advice

The UN/EDIFACT message that describes goods despatched or ready for despatch, including their packaging, so the receiver can prepare.

Sent by
Supplier or shipper
Received by
Buyer or consignee
Standard
UN/EDIFACT · Batch message
X12 equivalent
856 Advance Ship Notice

What is the EDIFACT DESADV message?

DESADV is the UN/EDIFACT despatch advice message. The directory defines it as a message specifying details for goods despatched or ready for despatch under agreed conditions, and it serves both as a delivery despatch advice and as a returns despatch advice. It describes the consignment, its packaging hierarchy (pallets, cartons, items), the serial shipping container codes on labels and the order lines being shipped.

Receivers use the DESADV to plan unloading and to receive goods by scanning labels instead of counting. In retail and automotive it is often mandatory, and inaccurate despatch advices can lead to penalties.

How the EDIFACT DESADV message worksDiagram of the UN/EDIFACT DESADV Despatch advice message. Supplier or shipper sends it to buyer or consignee. It usually follows ORDERS, DELFOR and DELJIT. It is usually followed by RECADV and INVOIC. Inside the UNB and UNH envelopes, the directory D.21A requires, in the start of message: BGM (Beginning of message). 7 conditional segment groups are listed by their trigger segment.How the EDIFACT DESADV message worksDespatch advice: who sends it, where it fits and what the directory marks mandatory1 WHERE IT FITSUSUALLY FOLLOWSORDERSPurchase orderDELFORDelivery scheduleDELJITDelivery just in timeDESADVSENDERSupplier or shipperRECEIVERBuyer or consigneeCONTRL syntax report back, if agreedUSUALLY FOLLOWED BYRECADVReceiving adviceINVOICInvoice2 WHAT DIRECTORY D.21A REQUIRESInterchange: sender and recipient IDsUNB … UNZMessage DESADVUNH … UNTSTART OF MESSAGEBGMBeginning of messageBODY AND SEGMENT GROUPS+ 7 conditional groups, starting with:RFFNADTODTDTEQDEFICPSBlue box: mandatory segment group. Conditional groups are listed by the trigger segment that starts them; a group is sent only when its data applies.Conditional segments outside groups are not drawn.Structure: mandatory segments and groups in the UN/EDIFACT directory D.21A listing for DESADV. Your trading partner's implementation guide adds itsown requirements.
How the EDIFACT DESADV message worksDiagram of the UN/EDIFACT DESADV Despatch advice message. Supplier or shipper sends it to buyer or consignee. It usually follows ORDERS, DELFOR and DELJIT. It is usually followed by RECADV and INVOIC. Inside the UNB and UNH envelopes, the directory D.21A requires, in the start of message: BGM (Beginning of message). 7 conditional segment groups are listed by their trigger segment.How the EDIFACT DESADVmessage worksDespatch advice: who sends it, where it fits andwhat the directory marks mandatory1 WHERE IT FITSUSUALLY FOLLOWSORDERSPurchase orderDELFORDelivery scheduleDELJITDelivery just in timeDESADVSENDERSupplier orshipperRECEIVERBuyer orconsigneeCONTRL syntax report back, if agreedUSUALLY FOLLOWED BYRECADVReceiving adviceINVOICInvoice2 WHAT DIRECTORY D.21A REQUIRESInterchange: sender and recipient IDs(UNB … UNZ)Message DESADV (UNH … UNT)START OF MESSAGEBGMBeginning of messageBODY AND SEGMENT GROUPS+ 7 conditional groups, starting with:RFFNADTODTDTEQDEFICPSBlue box: mandatory segment group. Conditionalgroups are listed by the trigger segment thatstarts them; a group is sent only when its dataapplies. Conditional segments outside groups arenot drawn.Structure: mandatory segments and groups in theUN/EDIFACT directory D.21A listing for DESADV.Your trading partner's implementation guide adds itsown requirements.

How to read this diagram: the top row shows who sends DESADV, to whom, and which messages usually come before and after it. The lower part shows what the directory D.21A itself requires: the envelopes around DESADV and the segments and segment groups it marks mandatory. Conditional groups are listed by their trigger segment rather than drawn in full. This is the directory's minimum, not a trading partner's requirement: a message implementation guide, such as an industry subset or a partner’s own guide, usually makes some conditional groups mandatory, restricts the codes and may use an older directory.

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When it is used

  • Notifying a customer of goods despatched
  • Describing pallet and carton contents for scan-based receiving
  • Announcing returns despatched back to a supplier

Where it fits in the message flow

Usually follows ORDERS Purchase orderDELFOR Delivery scheduleDELJIT Delivery just in time
This message DESADV Despatch advice
Usually followed by RECADV Receiving adviceINVOIC Invoice

Structure

Mandatory segments in DESADV (directory D.21A)

In UN/EDIFACT directory D.21A, the DESADV message has 109 segment positions arranged in 28 segment groups. These are the segments and segment groups marked mandatory at message level, in order; a mandatory group is shown with the segment that starts it. Segments inside conditional groups are needed only when the group is used. This is the directory’s requirement, not your trading partner’s: each partner’s message implementation guide names the directory it uses, often an older one such as D.96A or D.01B where the structure can differ, makes some conditional segments mandatory and restricts the codes.

  • UNH
  • BGM
  • UNT

Practical example

DESADV in practice

A supplier ships four pallets of household goods to a retailer's distribution center. When the truck leaves, its warehouse system sends a DESADV with the despatch note number, the order references and, for each pallet, its SSCC and the items and quantities on it. The DC receives the pallets by scanning the SSCC labels and confirms receipt with a RECADV.

Implementation

Implementation considerations for DESADV

  • Send the DESADV when goods leave, before they arrive at the receiver.
  • Make sure SSCC codes in the message match the physical labels.
  • Follow the partner's packaging hierarchy rules exactly.
  • Reference the orders or delivery schedules being fulfilled.

How ECOM helps

Automate DESADV with ECOM

Solution

Logistics Automation

Automate tenders, status updates, freight invoices and warehouse orders with logistics partners.

Industry

Retail

Retail and eCommerce EDI for suppliers and retailers, from purchase order to payment, with compliance built in.

Industry

Automotive

Schedules, ship notices, labels, self-billing and multi-plant routing for automotive suppliers.

Compare X12 and EDIFACT, or see answers to general questions in the EDI FAQ.

Related messages

Related shipping and logistics messages

All 7 shipping and logistics messages

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