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EDIFACT message guide · Ordering

REQOTE Request for quote

The UN/EDIFACT message a potential buyer sends to ask potential sellers for prices, delivery schedules and other conditions.

Sent by
Buyer or procurement team
Received by
Potential supplier
Standard
UN/EDIFACT · Batch message
X12 equivalent
840 Request for Quotation

What is the EDIFACT REQOTE message?

REQOTE is the UN/EDIFACT request for quote message. The directory defines it as a message that lets potential buyers solicit prices, delivery schedules and other conditions from potential sellers of goods or services.

A request lists the products or services, quantities, required dates, delivery terms and the date by which quotes are due. Suppliers answer with a QUOTES message, and the buyer compares the answers before ordering with ORDERS. Sending requests in structured form lets the buyer's sourcing system line up several suppliers' answers item by item instead of reading emailed spreadsheets.

How the EDIFACT REQOTE message worksDiagram of the UN/EDIFACT REQOTE Request for quote message. Buyer or procurement team sends it to potential supplier. It usually starts the exchange. It is usually followed by QUOTES. Inside the UNB and UNH envelopes, the directory D.21A requires, in the start of message: BGM (Beginning of message) and DTM (Date/time/period) and body and segment groups: the required SG27 loop with LIN (Line item) and UNS (Section control). 32 conditional segment groups are listed by their trigger segment.How the EDIFACT REQOTE message worksRequest for quote: who sends it, where it fits and what the directory marks mandatory1 WHERE IT FITSUSUALLY FOLLOWSStarts the exchangeREQOTESENDERBuyer or procurementteamRECEIVERPotential supplierCONTRL syntax report back, if agreedUSUALLY FOLLOWED BYQUOTESQuote2 WHAT DIRECTORY D.21A REQUIRESInterchange: sender and recipient IDsUNB … UNZMessage REQOTEUNH … UNTSTART OF MESSAGEBGMBeginning of messageDTMDate/time/periodBODY AND SEGMENT GROUPSMandatory group SG27 · repeats many timesLINLine itemUNSSection control+ 32 conditional groups, starting with:RFFAJTTAXCUXPYTTODEQDRCSAPRDLMNADTDTPACSCCALCCCI…Blue 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 REQOTE. Your trading partner's implementation guide adds itsown requirements.
How the EDIFACT REQOTE message worksDiagram of the UN/EDIFACT REQOTE Request for quote message. Buyer or procurement team sends it to potential supplier. It usually starts the exchange. It is usually followed by QUOTES. Inside the UNB and UNH envelopes, the directory D.21A requires, in the start of message: BGM (Beginning of message) and DTM (Date/time/period) and body and segment groups: the required SG27 loop with LIN (Line item) and UNS (Section control). 32 conditional segment groups are listed by their trigger segment.How the EDIFACT REQOTEmessage worksRequest for quote: who sends it, where it fitsand what the directory marks mandatory1 WHERE IT FITSUSUALLY FOLLOWSStarts the exchangeREQOTESENDERBuyer orprocurementteamRECEIVERPotentialsupplierCONTRL syntax report back, if agreedUSUALLY FOLLOWED BYQUOTESQuote2 WHAT DIRECTORY D.21A REQUIRESInterchange: sender and recipient IDs(UNB … UNZ)Message REQOTE (UNH … UNT)START OF MESSAGEBGMBeginning of messageDTMDate/time/periodBODY AND SEGMENT GROUPSMandatory group SG27 · repeatsmany timesLINLine itemUNSSection control+ 32 conditional groups, starting with:RFFAJTTAXCUXPYTTODEQDRCSAPRDLMNADTDT…Blue 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 REQOTE.Your trading partner's implementation guide adds itsown requirements.

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

  • Running a competitive request for quotation
  • Asking for prices on engineered or made-to-order items
  • Re-sourcing recurring purchases

Where it fits in the message flow

This message REQOTE Request for quote
Usually followed by QUOTES Quote

Structure

Mandatory segments in REQOTE (directory D.21A)

In UN/EDIFACT directory D.21A, the REQOTE message has 171 segment positions arranged in 56 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
  • DTM
  • SG27 (LIN)
  • UNS
  • UNT

Practical example

REQOTE in practice

An agricultural machinery maker needs a new supplier for cast housings. Its sourcing system sends a REQOTE to four foundries with the part number, drawing reference, annual quantity split into call-offs, delivery terms and a two-week deadline. Each foundry returns a QUOTES message, and the buyer awards the business with an ORDERS.

Implementation

Implementation considerations for REQOTE

  • Give each request a unique reference that quotes must return.
  • Use the item identifiers and units the eventual order will use.
  • State the response deadline and whether alternatives may be quoted.
  • Reference drawings and specifications that travel separately.

How ECOM helps

Automate REQOTE with ECOM

Solution

Procure-to-Pay Automation

Automate purchasing, receiving and supplier invoicing across EDI, portals and documents.

Industry

Industrial Manufacturing

Distributor, OEM customer and supplier integration for industrial manufacturers.

Solution

EDI Integration

Exchange X12 and EDIFACT documents with partners and integrate them directly with your ERP.

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

Related messages

Related ordering messages

All 7 ordering messages

Need help with REQOTE?

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