Digging Into X12 EDI

Let's get specific and dig into exactly how X12 EDI works by examining a simple EDI document, specifically, the GF 990 Response To Load Tender (referred to as "the 990" going forward).

The 990 is used in logistics. Consider a carrier, i.e. a logistics company that moves freight from point A to point B for its customers. We will call this carrier Acme Trucking.

Acme Trucking has a customer, Waldo Mart, who needs freight moved. Waldo Mart needs to move a lot of freight, and would like to be able to tell Acme Trucking about it without needing to pick up the phone and call someone. In other words, they would like to automate their operations, which they will do by establishing a trading partner relationship and using EDI to exchange key documents.

To tell Acme Trucking that it needs a shipment picked up and carried from a warehouse to a distributor, Waldo Mart transmits an SM 204 Motor Carrier Load Tender EDI document to Acme Trucking.

This document contains all the information that Acme Trucking needs to determine if they are willing and able to carry the shipment: where it needs to get picked up, where it is going, how much it weighs, how much Waldo Mart is willing to pay for the service, and so on.

Once Acme Trucking has reviewed the information and decided whether or not they wish to carry the shipment, they must reply to Waldo Mart by sending them the 990.

The 990's role is to tell Waldo Mart whether or not Acme Trucking has accepted or declined the shipment. Here is an example EDI document that does exactly that.

ISA*00*          *00*          *ZZ*ACME           *ZZ*WALDO          *250303*1506*U*00401*000000052*0*P*:~
GS*GF*ACME*WALDO*20250303*1506*52*X*004010~
ST*990*00000052~
B1*ACME*339807*20250301*A~
N9*CN*ACM12345~
SE*4*00000052~
GE*1*52~
IEA*1*000000052~

{
  "heading": {
    "transaction_set_header_ST": {
      "transaction_set_identifier_code_01": "response_to_a_load_tender_990",
      "transaction_set_control_number_02": "00000052"
    },
    "beginning_segment_for_booking_or_pick_up_delivery_B1": {
      "standard_carrier_alpha_code_01": "ACME",
      "shipment_identification_number_02": "339807",
      "date_03": "20250301",
      "reservation_action_code_04": "reservation_accepted_A"
    },
    "reference_identification_N9": {
      "reference_identification_qualifier_01": "carriers_reference_number_pro_invoice_CN",
      "reference_identification_02": "ACM12345"
    },
    "transaction_set_trailer_SE": {
      "number_of_included_segments_01": 4,
      "transaction_set_control_number_02": "00000052"
    }
  }
}