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EDIFACT message guide · Transport

IFTMIN Instruction

The UN/EDIFACT message a shipper or forwarder sends to the party arranging transport, with instructions for a consignment.

Sent by
Shipper, consignor or forwarder
Received by
Freight forwarder or carrier
Standard
UN/EDIFACT · Batch message
X12 equivalent
204 Motor Carrier Load Tender

What is the EDIFACT IFTMIN message?

IFTMIN is the UN/EDIFACT instruction message. The directory defines it as a message from the party issuing an instruction regarding forwarding or transport services for a consignment, under agreed conditions, to the party arranging those forwarding or transport services.

The instruction describes the consignment, the parties, the places and dates of collection and delivery, the goods and their packaging, dangerous goods details and any special handling. In ocean shipping it is commonly used to submit shipping instructions to the carrier, from which the bill of lading is produced.

How the EDIFACT IFTMIN message worksDiagram of the UN/EDIFACT IFTMIN Instruction message. Shipper, consignor or forwarder sends it to freight forwarder or carrier. It usually starts the exchange. It is usually followed by IFTSTA and IFTMCS. Inside the UNB and UNH envelopes, the directory D.21A requires, in the start of message: BGM (Beginning of message) and body and segment groups: the required SG12 loop with NAD (Name and address). 16 conditional segment groups are listed by their trigger segment.How the EDIFACT IFTMIN message worksInstruction: who sends it, where it fits and what the directory marks mandatory1 WHERE IT FITSUSUALLY FOLLOWSStarts the exchangeIFTMINSENDERShipper, consignor orforwarderRECEIVERFreight forwarder orcarrierCONTRL syntax report back, if agreedUSUALLY FOLLOWED BYIFTSTAInternationalmultimodal statusreportIFTMCSInstruction contractstatus2 WHAT DIRECTORY D.21A REQUIRESInterchange: sender and recipient IDsUNB … UNZMessage IFTMINUNH … UNTSTART OF MESSAGEBGMBeginning of messageBODY AND SEGMENT GROUPSMandatory group SG12 · repeats up to 99NADName and address+ 16 conditional groups, starting with:LOCTODRFFGORCPITCCTDTCTADOCTSREFIGIDEQDBlue 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 IFTMIN. Your trading partner's implementation guide adds itsown requirements.
How the EDIFACT IFTMIN message worksDiagram of the UN/EDIFACT IFTMIN Instruction message. Shipper, consignor or forwarder sends it to freight forwarder or carrier. It usually starts the exchange. It is usually followed by IFTSTA and IFTMCS. Inside the UNB and UNH envelopes, the directory D.21A requires, in the start of message: BGM (Beginning of message) and body and segment groups: the required SG12 loop with NAD (Name and address). 16 conditional segment groups are listed by their trigger segment.How the EDIFACT IFTMINmessage worksInstruction: who sends it, where it fits andwhat the directory marks mandatory1 WHERE IT FITSUSUALLY FOLLOWSStarts the exchangeIFTMINSENDERShipper,consignor orforwarderRECEIVERFreightforwarder orcarrierCONTRL syntax report back, if agreedUSUALLY FOLLOWED BYIFTSTAInternational multimodal statusreportIFTMCSInstruction contract status2 WHAT DIRECTORY D.21A REQUIRESInterchange: sender and recipient IDs(UNB … UNZ)Message IFTMIN (UNH … UNT)START OF MESSAGEBGMBeginning of messageBODY AND SEGMENT GROUPSMandatory group SG12 · repeats upto 99NADName and address+ 16 conditional groups, starting with:LOCTODRFFGORCPITCCTDTCTADOCTSREFIGID…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 IFTMIN.Your trading partner's implementation guide adds itsown requirements.

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

  • Instructing a forwarder or carrier to move a consignment
  • Submitting shipping instructions for an ocean bill of lading
  • Booking road transport with a logistics provider

Where it fits in the message flow

This message IFTMIN Instruction
Usually followed by IFTSTA International multimodal status reportIFTMCS Instruction contract status

Structure

Mandatory segments in IFTMIN (directory D.21A)

In UN/EDIFACT directory D.21A, the IFTMIN message has 165 segment positions arranged in 45 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
  • SG12 (NAD)
  • UNT

Practical example

IFTMIN in practice

A chemicals producer in Antwerp ships a container to Singapore. After loading, its forwarder sends the ocean carrier an IFTMIN with the container and seal numbers, cargo description, dangerous goods classification, weights and the shipper, consignee and notify party. The carrier prepares the bill of lading from the instruction and reports progress with IFTSTA status messages.

Implementation

Implementation considerations for IFTMIN

  • Confirm which IFTMIN implementation the carrier or forwarder uses, as they vary widely.
  • Declare dangerous goods with complete, accurate data.
  • Send instructions before the documentation cut-off.
  • Keep consignment references consistent with bookings and status messages.

How ECOM helps

Automate IFTMIN with ECOM

Industry

Trucking and Transportation

Load tenders, responses, status and freight invoices for carriers, brokers and shippers, integrated with the TMS.

Solution

Logistics Automation

Automate tenders, status updates, freight invoices and warehouse orders with logistics partners.

Industry

3PL and Warehousing

Warehouse orders, shipping advice, receipts and inventory reporting between brands, 3PLs, carriers and retailers.

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

Related messages

Related transport messages

All 36 transport messages

Need help with IFTMIN?

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