EDI 204 Motor Carrier Load Tender
EDI 204 is essential for the communication between shippers and carriers, ensuring that all necessary information about the shipment is accurately and efficiently transmitted. In this guide, you'll learn about EDI 204 transaction sets.
What is an EDI 204?
The EDI transaction 204 refers to the Motor Carrier Load Tender. It communicates a request to a full truckload carrier for the movement of a shipment. EDI 204 Motor Carrier Load Tender is usually sent from a retailer, a manufacturer, or a distribution center. However, it can be used by any company that is interested in having goods shipped.
The Tender is usually sent from a retailer, a manufacturer, or a distribution center. However, it can be used by any company that is interested in having goods shipped.
What are the Key Elements of EDI 204?
Here's what an EDI 204 typically includes:
- Carrier information
- Expected schedule
- Description of goods, including weight and size
- Equipment requirements (truck type, trailer size) Shipping instructions
- Contact information and location of the recipient
By providing this information, the shipper invites the carrier to submit a rate quote and potentially accept the shipment.
How is EDI 204 Motor Carrier Load Tender used?
The 204 is typically used for creating a new shipment request, but it can also be used for updating shipment information or canceling a shipment. This EDI transaction is not used for shipments that are less than a full truckload.
The Motor Carrier Load Tender will provide sufficient information for the carrier to understand the requirements of the shipment and their associated costs. The carrier can then determine whether they want to accept the load. The tender provides specifics such as ship-to location, receiver contact information, scheduling, description of the goods to be shipped, and size of the trailer or other equipment requirements.
A carrier will respond to the 204 by issuing a The EDI 990 transaction, which is a response to the load tender. The 990 will indicate whether the carrier is accepting or declining the shipment. If the carrier accepts the shipment, then in most cases the carrier will also provide status updates using a 214 Shipment Status EDI message.
Benefits of EDI 204
- Improves shipment planning and data accuracy of information exchanged
- Eliminates re-keying, errors, discrepancies, and delays
- Improves efficiency, automates processing and provides real-time visibility
- Provides carriers insight of shipment requirements
EDI 204 Format
EDI 204 adheres to the X12 standard, a widely accepted format for electronic data interchange in the United States. This standard outlines the structure and content of the Motor Carrier Load Tender transaction set. Key Components of an EDI 204
ISA (Interchange Control Header): This segment marks the start of an interchange.
GS (Functional Group Header): Indicates the beginning of a functional group of related transaction sets.
ST (Transaction Set Header): Marks the beginning of a transaction set.
B2 Segment: Beginning Segment for Shipment Information
B2A Segment: Set Purpose
L11 Segment: Reference Numbers
G62 Segment: Date/Time
L5 Segment: Commodity Description
L3 Segment: Total Weight and Charges
N1 Segment: Name (Shipper, Consignee, etc.)
GE/IEA Segments: Functional Group and Interchange Control Trailers
Example of an EDI 204 Document
Here’s a simplified example of what an EDI 204 document might look like:
ISA*00* *00* *ZZ*SENDERID *ZZ*RECEIVERID *210724*1430*U*00401*000000001*0*P*>~
GS*SM*SENDERID*RECEIVERID*20240724*1430*1*X*004010~
ST*204*0001~
B2**1234567890*SCAC*PP**20240724~
B2A*00~
L11*LOAD12345*BM~
L11*ORDER98765*OQ~
G62*64*20240725~
G62*10*20240726~
L5*1*50 BOXES OF ELECTRONICS*PLT~
L3*1000*G*2200*N*4500~
N7*53*F*LOAD12345*2*X***IN~
N1*SH*SHIPPER COMPANY*93*123456789~
N3*123 SHIPPER STREET~
N4*SHIPPER CITY*ST*12345*US~
N1*CN*CONSIGNEE COMPANY*93*987654321~
N3*456 CONSIGNEE AVENUE~
N4*CONSIGNEE CITY*ST*54321*US~
S5*1*LD~
G62*68*20240725~
N1*ST*STOP LOCATION*93*654321987~
N3*789 STOP STREET~
N4*STOP CITY*ST*67890*US~
SE*21*0001~
GE*1*1~
IEA*1*000000001~
Other Common X12 EDI Transactions
EDI 210 (Motor Carrier Freight Details and Invoice)
EDI 211 (Motor Carrier Bill of Lading)
EDI 846 (Inventory Inquiry/Advice EDI 856 Advance Shipment Notice)
EDI 940 (Warehouse Shipping Order)
EDI 943 (Warehouse Stock Transfer Shipment Advice)
EDI 944 (Warehouse Stock Transfer Receipt Advice)
EDI 945 (Warehouse Shipping Advice)
EDI 990 (Response to a Load Tender)
EDI 204 Specification
EDI 204 Motor Carrier Load Tender is created and sent by a shipper once goods are ready for transport. The tender shares the carrier with details of the load and requests shipment pickup.
The EDI 990 Response to a Load Tender is the carrier’s reply to the shipper. After receiving the EDI 204, the carrier uses the 990 to confirm whether they will accept or reject the load.
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