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EDIFACT message guide · Transport

IFTMBP Provisional booking

The UN/EDIFACT message a party sends to request space, or give brief details of a planned consignment, before a firm booking.

Sent by
Shipper or freight forwarder
Received by
Carrier or forwarder providing the service
Standard
UN/EDIFACT · Batch message
X12 equivalent
No direct equivalent

What is the EDIFACT IFTMBP message?

IFTMBP is the UN/EDIFACT provisional booking message. The directory defines it as a message from a party requesting space, or giving brief details of a planned consignment for forwarding or transport services, to the party providing those services. It can state the conditions under which the planned transport should take place.

A provisional booking lets a shipper secure capacity before every detail is known, such as the final weight or container count. The firm booking (IFTMBF) follows when the consignment is fixed, and the carrier answers each with a confirmation (IFTMBC).

How the EDIFACT IFTMBP message worksDiagram of the UN/EDIFACT IFTMBP Provisional booking message. Shipper or freight forwarder sends it to carrier or forwarder providing the service. It usually starts the exchange. It is usually followed by IFTMBC and IFTMBF. Inside the UNB and UNH envelopes, the directory D.21A requires, in the start of message: BGM (Beginning of message) and body and segment groups: the required SG5 loop with TDT (Transport information). 9 conditional segment groups are listed by their trigger segment.How the EDIFACT IFTMBP message worksProvisional booking: who sends it, where it fits and what the directory marks mandatory1 WHERE IT FITSUSUALLY FOLLOWSStarts the exchangeIFTMBPSENDERShipper or freightforwarderRECEIVERCarrier or forwarderproviding the serviceCONTRL syntax report back, if agreedUSUALLY FOLLOWED BYIFTMBCBooking confirmationIFTMBFFirm booking2 WHAT DIRECTORY D.21A REQUIRESInterchange: sender and recipient IDsUNB … UNZMessage IFTMBPUNH … UNTSTART OF MESSAGEBGMBeginning of messageBODY AND SEGMENT GROUPSMandatory group SG5 · repeats up to 99TDTTransport information+ 9 conditional groups, starting with:LOCRFFGORTSRNADGIDEQDBlue 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 IFTMBP. Your trading partner's implementation guide adds itsown requirements.
How the EDIFACT IFTMBP message worksDiagram of the UN/EDIFACT IFTMBP Provisional booking message. Shipper or freight forwarder sends it to carrier or forwarder providing the service. It usually starts the exchange. It is usually followed by IFTMBC and IFTMBF. Inside the UNB and UNH envelopes, the directory D.21A requires, in the start of message: BGM (Beginning of message) and body and segment groups: the required SG5 loop with TDT (Transport information). 9 conditional segment groups are listed by their trigger segment.How the EDIFACT IFTMBPmessage worksProvisional booking: who sends it, where it fitsand what the directory marks mandatory1 WHERE IT FITSUSUALLY FOLLOWSStarts the exchangeIFTMBPSENDERShipper orfreightforwarderRECEIVERCarrier orforwarderproviding theserviceCONTRL syntax report back, if agreedUSUALLY FOLLOWED BYIFTMBCBooking confirmationIFTMBFFirm booking2 WHAT DIRECTORY D.21A REQUIRESInterchange: sender and recipient IDs(UNB … UNZ)Message IFTMBP (UNH … UNT)START OF MESSAGEBGMBeginning of messageBODY AND SEGMENT GROUPSMandatory group SG5 · repeats upto 99TDTTransport information+ 9 conditional groups, starting with:LOCRFFGORTSRNADGIDEQDBlue 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 IFTMBP.Your trading partner's implementation guide adds itsown requirements.

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

  • Requesting space ahead of a planned shipment
  • Reserving capacity in peak season before details are final
  • Signaling expected volumes to a carrier

Where it fits in the message flow

This message IFTMBP Provisional booking
Usually followed by IFTMBC Booking confirmationIFTMBF Firm booking

Structure

Mandatory segments in IFTMBP (directory D.21A)

In UN/EDIFACT directory D.21A, the IFTMBP message has 92 segment positions arranged in 32 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
  • SG5 (TDT)
  • UNT

Practical example

IFTMBP in practice

An appliance exporter expects to ship about ten containers to the Middle East in six weeks, but the final quantity depends on a customer order. Its forwarder sends a provisional IFTMBP to reserve space on the planned sailing. When the order is confirmed, the forwarder sends an IFTMBF for eight containers, and the carrier confirms with an IFTMBC.

Implementation

Implementation considerations for IFTMBP

  • Agree with the carrier how long provisional space is held.
  • Follow up with a firm booking or a cancellation before the carrier's deadline.
  • Use the same references in the provisional and firm bookings.
  • Check whether the carrier supports provisional bookings at all.

How ECOM helps

Automate IFTMBP 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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