856 Ship Notice/Manifest
Merchants Distributors · X12 004010
Merchants Distributors’ published 856 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
19 of 19 segments
HEADING
ST
Transaction Set Header
pos 010
Required
max —
BSN
Beginning Segment for Ship Notice
Header level; usage Mandatory; max use 1; used to transmit identifying numbers, dates, and other basic data relating to transaction set.
pos 100
Required
max —
DETAIL
HL Looprequired
HL
Hierarchical Level
pos 200
Required
max —
LIN
Item Identification
PACK Level Required (may also be included in the Item Level but not mandatory)
pos 205
Optional
max —
SN1
Item Detail (Shipment)
PACK Level Required (may also be included in the Item Level but not mandatory)
pos 210
Optional
max —
PRF
Purchase Order Reference
ORDER Level Mandatory
pos 215
Required
max —
PO4
Item Physical Details
This segment is Mandatory when there is BILLED weight for random weight products, at the PACK Level ONLY.
pos 220
Optional
max —
PID
Product/Item Description
The PID segment is used to provide product/item descriptions in text format. PID01 Equals "F" then PID05 is used.
pos 222
Optional
max —
TD1
Carrier Details (Quantity and Weight)
To specify the transportation details relative to commodity, weight, and quantity.
pos 225
Optional
max 20
TD5
Carrier Details (Routing Sequence/Transit Time)
pos 230
Optional
max 12
TD3
Carrier Details (Equipment)
This segment is used to specify the trailer number for a truckload shipment.
pos 235
Optional
max 12
REF
Reference Identification
This segment is used to specify the bill of lading number. When available, additional iterations of these segments may be used to specify the carrier's PRO number, appointment number etc.
pos 240
Optional
max 999999
MAN
Marks and Numbers
This segment at the TARE level is used to specify the identification number for the pallet. This segment at the PACK level is used to specify the identification of the carton.
pos 245
Optional
max 999999
DTM
Date/Time Reference
To specify pertinent dates and times. DTM01 code value depends on level: SHIPMENT Level MUST HAVE 2 DTM segments one for each (011 Shipped, 067 Current Schedule Delivery). PACK and ITEM levels for DTM are OPTIONAL.
pos 250
Required
max 10
PAL
Pallet Information
To identify the type and physical attributes of the pallet, and, gross weight, gross volume, and height of the load and the pallet.
pos 255
Optional
max —
N1 Loop
N1
Name
LOOP: 0120, REPEAT: 200. Purpose: To identify a party by type of organization, name, and code.
pos 220
Optional
max —
N4
Geographic Location
pos 250
Optional
max —
SUMMARY
CTT
Transaction Totals
This segment is intended to provide hash totals to validate transaction completeness and correctness. CTT contains the number of HL segments present in the transaction set.
pos 010
Optional
max —
SE
Transaction Set Trailer
pos 020
Required
max —
Validate a 856
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