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EDIFACT message guide · Transport

IFTMBF Firm booking

The UN/EDIFACT message a party sends to definitely book forwarding or transport services for a consignment.

Sent by
Shipper or freight forwarder
Received by
Carrier or forwarder providing the service
Standard
UN/EDIFACT · Batch message
X12 equivalent
300 Reservation (Booking Request) (Ocean)

What is the EDIFACT IFTMBF message?

IFTMBF is the UN/EDIFACT firm booking message. The directory defines it as a message from a party definitely booking forwarding and/or transport services for a consignment to the party providing those services, stating the conditions under which the sender requires the services to take place.

In container shipping, the firm booking reserves space and equipment on a sailing: it states the cargo, the number and type of containers, the ports, dates and any reefer or dangerous goods requirements. It follows a provisional booking (IFTMBP) where one was made, and the carrier replies with a booking confirmation (IFTMBC).

How the EDIFACT IFTMBF message worksDiagram of the UN/EDIFACT IFTMBF Firm booking message. Shipper or freight forwarder sends it to carrier or forwarder providing the service. It usually follows IFTMBP. It is usually followed by IFTMBC. Inside the UNB and UNH envelopes, the directory D.21A requires, in the start of message: BGM (Beginning of message). 9 conditional segment groups are listed by their trigger segment.How the EDIFACT IFTMBF message worksFirm booking: who sends it, where it fits and what the directory marks mandatory1 WHERE IT FITSUSUALLY FOLLOWSIFTMBPProvisional bookingIFTMBFSENDERShipper or freightforwarderRECEIVERCarrier or forwarderproviding the serviceCONTRL syntax report back, if agreedUSUALLY FOLLOWED BYIFTMBCBooking confirmation2 WHAT DIRECTORY D.21A REQUIRESInterchange: sender and recipient IDsUNB … UNZMessage IFTMBFUNH … UNTSTART OF MESSAGEBGMBeginning of messageBODY AND SEGMENT GROUPS+ 9 conditional groups, starting with:LOCTODRFFGORTCCTDTNADGIDEQDBlue 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 IFTMBF. Your trading partner's implementation guide adds itsown requirements.
How the EDIFACT IFTMBF message worksDiagram of the UN/EDIFACT IFTMBF Firm booking message. Shipper or freight forwarder sends it to carrier or forwarder providing the service. It usually follows IFTMBP. It is usually followed by IFTMBC. Inside the UNB and UNH envelopes, the directory D.21A requires, in the start of message: BGM (Beginning of message). 9 conditional segment groups are listed by their trigger segment.How the EDIFACT IFTMBFmessage worksFirm booking: who sends it, where it fits andwhat the directory marks mandatory1 WHERE IT FITSUSUALLY FOLLOWSIFTMBPProvisional bookingIFTMBFSENDERShipper orfreightforwarderRECEIVERCarrier orforwarderproviding theserviceCONTRL syntax report back, if agreedUSUALLY FOLLOWED BYIFTMBCBooking confirmation2 WHAT DIRECTORY D.21A REQUIRESInterchange: sender and recipient IDs(UNB … UNZ)Message IFTMBF (UNH … UNT)START OF MESSAGEBGMBeginning of messageBODY AND SEGMENT GROUPS+ 9 conditional groups, starting with:LOCTODRFFGORTCCTDTNADGIDEQDBlue 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 IFTMBF.Your trading partner's implementation guide adds itsown requirements.

How to read this diagram: the top row shows who sends IFTMBF, 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 IFTMBF 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.

Expand diagram Download SVG

When it is used

  • Booking container space with an ocean carrier
  • Booking transport services with a forwarder
  • Requesting special equipment such as reefers or open-top containers

Where it fits in the message flow

Usually follows IFTMBP Provisional booking
This message IFTMBF Firm booking
Usually followed by IFTMBC Booking confirmation

Structure

Mandatory segments in IFTMBF (directory D.21A)

In UN/EDIFACT directory D.21A, the IFTMBF message has 115 segment positions arranged in 37 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

IFTMBF in practice

A coffee trader in Hamburg needs three 20-foot containers shipped from Santos to Hamburg next month. Its forwarder sends the carrier an IFTMBF with the commodity, the container type and count, the ports of loading and discharge, the requested sailing and the shipper and consignee. The carrier confirms the booking with an IFTMBC giving the booking number and empty container release details.

Implementation

Implementation considerations for IFTMBF

  • Use the carrier's container type and location codes, such as ISO size-type codes and UN/LOCODEs.
  • Declare dangerous goods and reefer settings in the booking, not later.
  • Keep the booking reference for shipping instructions and status messages.
  • Track every booking until it is confirmed, conditionally accepted or rejected.

How ECOM helps

Automate IFTMBF with ECOM

Industry

Trucking and Transportation

Load tenders, responses, status and freight invoices for carriers, brokers and shippers, integrated with the TMS.

Solution

Logistics Automation

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

Industry

3PL and Warehousing

Warehouse orders, shipping advice, receipts and inventory reporting between brands, 3PLs, carriers and retailers.

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

Related messages

Related transport messages

All 36 transport messages

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