304 Shipping Instructions
Cargo Smart · X12 004010
Cargo Smart’s published 304 specification, rendered as an interactive guide. Expand any segment to see its elements, data types, lengths and accepted codes — then validate your own document against it below.
Specification
32 of 32 segments
HEADING
ST
Transaction Set Header ST
pos 010
Optional
max —
B2
Beginning Segment For Shipment Information Transaction B2
Example: B2*PP*SCAC**CIX01925**PP~
pos 020
Required
max —
B2A
Set Purpose B2A
Example: B2A*00~
pos 030
Required
max —
N9
Reference Identification N9
Booking Number should always be provided.
Example: N9*BN*1001801570~
pos 080
Optional
max 100
V1
Vessel Identification V1
CargoSmart supports ONLY 1 V1 segment.
Example: V1*9301794*Jakarta Express*HK*021W*OOLU***L~
pos 090
Required
max 2
N1 Looprequired
N1
Name N1
For SOLAS VGM (Verified Gross Mass), weighing party can be provided in N1 with N101 = R1. If VGM are obtained by multiple weighing parties, N1_04_67 should be used to specify the container number with check digit and N1_03_66 = "ZZ".
Examples:
N1*N1*SHANGHAI HAOYUN INTL LOGISTICS CO LTD~
N1*CA*OOLU~
N1*R1*LOADING CO PTE*ZZ*CNTR1234567~
pos 160
Required
max —
N2
Additional Name Information N2
If N101 = R1 (Weighing party), N2 should be provided as the signature (name in capitals of the person authorized) to sign the document declaring the verified gross mass.
Examples:
N2*Canning Company Limited~
N2*CHRIS WONG~
pos 170
Optional
max 2
N3
Address Information N3
Customer is required to preserve their Party information format in EDI. CargoSmart recommends to preserve a complete word in the same data element. The Party information will be truncated if exceeds maximum length supported by carrier
Example:
N3*300 Park Blvd. Suite 350*Itasca, IL 60143 (USA)~ (Correct)
N3*300 Park Blvd. Suite 350, It*asca, IL 60143 (USA)~ (Incorrect)
pos 180
Optional
max 2
N4
Geographic Location N4
Example: N4*SAN PEDRO*CA*90731*US~
pos 190
Optional
max —
G61
Contact G61
Example:
G61*IC*LOS ANGELES OCEAN CARGO EXPORT*TE*(310) 241-1600~
pos 195
Optional
max 3
R4 Loop
R4
Port Or Terminal R4
CargoSmart recommends using UN/ECE location Code to present location, where some carriers request it as mandatory information.
Example: R4*R*UN*USLAX*LOS ANGELES, CA, USA*US~
pos 200
Required
max —
R2
Route Information R2
Example: R2*OOLU*O**********02~
pos 220
Optional
max 13
C8 Loop
C8
Certifications And Clauses C8
Example: C8**20*No Shipper's Export Declaration Required~
pos 290
Required
max —
C8C
Certifications Clauses Continuation C8C
Example: C8C*CERT CLAUSE TEXT~
pos 295
Optional
max 5
DETAIL
LX Loop
LX
Assigned Number LX
Example: LX*1~
pos 010
Required
max —
N7 Loop
N7
Equipment Details N7
CargoSmart accepts only one L0 loop in each LX loop, while N7 loop can be multiple. Please refer the detailed container load plan in N7 and L0 loop at the end of implementation guideline.
Example:
N7*XXXX*851662*7616.21*G****58.825*X*N*******K*3****42G0~
pos 030
Required
max —
QTY
Quantity QTY
To indicate the number of outer package of the commodity that is loaded into the container.
Example: QTY*39*20~
pos 035
Optional
max —
M7
Seal Numbers M7
Maximum 35 characters for the seal number can be used. M702 and M703 will be used if seal number is longer than 15 characters.
Example: M7*284520****CA~
pos 050
Optional
max 5
W09
Equipment And Temperature W09
Example: W09*CZ*0*CE**4V****10~
pos 060
Optional
max —
N9
Verified Gross Mass Measurement Methodvariant 1 of 3
To specify the SOLAS VGM (Verified Gross Mass) value, unit and measurement method. If SOLAS VGM value is provided, VGM unit and measurement method should also be provided.
Example:
N9*VGD*1~
pos 130
Optional
max 100
N9
Verified Gross Mass Unitvariant 2 of 3
To specify the SOLAS VGM (Verified Gross Mass) value, unit and measurement method. If SOLAS VGM value is provided, VGM unit and measurement method should also be provided.
Example:
N9*VGU*K~
pos 130
Optional
max 100
N9
Verified Gross Mass Valuevariant 3 of 3
To specify the SOLAS VGM (Verified Gross Mass) value, unit and measurement method. If SOLAS VGM value is provided, VGM unit and measurement method should also be provided.
Example:
N9*VGM*5212.6~
pos 130
Optional
max 100
L0 Loop
L0
Line Item Quantity And Weight L0
CargoSmart accepts only one L0 loop in each LX loop, while N7 loop can be multiple. Please refer the detailed container load plan in N7 and L0 loop at the end of implementation guideline.
Example: L0*1***19136*G*16.550*X*17*PCS**L~
pos 170
Required
max —
L4
Measurement L4
Required for Awkward Cargo.
Example: L4*1*1*1*X*7~
pos 177
Optional
max —
L5
Description Marks And Numbers L5
Each L503 supports only 1 HS code. For multiple HS codes within same L0 group, multiple L5 segments should be provided.
Example: L5*2*BIO-CHLOR IN 25KG BAGS~
pos 185
Required
max 999
N9
Reference Identification N9
pos 195
Optional
max 100
H1 Loop
H1
Hazardous Material H1
H1 Loop is required for Dangerous Cargo.
Example: H1*1263*3*I*PAINT*604-986-4617****III~
pos 270
Required
max —
H2
Additional Hazardous Material Description H2
H2_02 will be handled as supplement information for related hazard material if below qualifier is provided in H2_01.
EMS: EMS number
PSN: Proper Shipping Name
Example: H2*PSN*PROPER SHIPPING NAME~
pos 280
Optional
max 10
SUMMARY
L3 Loop
L3
Total Weight And Charges L3
Example: L3*23276.65*G*******16*X*1*K~
pos 010
Required
max —
PWK
Paperwork PWK
Only 1 of document type (BL, SW or ZZ) should be provided. ZZ is supported by some carriers only with specific usage and not for BL print purpose, e.g. custom manifest purpose.
Example: PWK*BL*EI*0~
pos 020
Optional
max 50
K1
Remarks K1
Example:
K1*FCL/FCL Shippers Weight, Load,*Stowage and Count Non Negotia~
pos 060
Optional
max 999
SE
Transaction Set Trailer SE
pos 080
Optional
max —
Validate a 304
Paste or upload a document and check it against Cargo Smart’s published rules — segment order and repetition, required elements, field lengths, data types and accepted codes. Nothing is stored.
Go live on Cargo Smart’s 304 in days, not months
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