EDI in shipping
Electronic data interchange
EDI in shipping is the exchange of structured electronic messages between carriers, agents, terminals and customs. The messages include manifests, bookings and container moves.
What it is
Electronic data interchange, or EDI, is the transfer of business documents between computer systems in an agreed structured format, without rekeying. In shipping it carries the information that once moved on paper: bookings, shipping instructions, bills of lading, manifests, container gate and load events, vessel stowage plans and customs declarations. Each message type has a defined layout so that the receiving system can read it automatically.
How it works in practice
Several standards are in use. UN/EDIFACT messages are common between carriers, terminals and depots, ANSI X12 is used in North America, and many customs administrations define their own flat file, XML or JSON formats. Files are exchanged through customs gateways, port community systems, secure file transfer or direct interfaces. Each trading partner publishes an implementation guide, and small differences between guides are a routine source of rejected files.
Why it matters
EDI matters because customs and terminals increasingly accept data only in electronic form and by set cut-off times. A file that fails validation delays the vessel's cargo or the customer's clearance. For agents and NVOCCs the practical need is to generate each required file from data already entered for the bill of lading, so that the filed version and the issued document cannot drift apart.
In Sailix
How Sailix handles it
Sailix generates files from B/L data for Indian ports and customs. The Export EDI Generation screen produces export EDI, terminal departure report, advance load list and EGM files for selected B/Ls, and the CSN screens produce Cargo Summary Notification JSON. Files are downloaded by the user. The Import Manifest Manager accepts an uploaded EDI file to start import CSN creation.
- Export EDI filesGenerate export EDI JSON files for Indian ports, including EGM and the advance load list, and the terminal departure report from the B/Ls on a vessel voyage.
- Customs CSN filesGenerate Cargo Summary Notification JSON files to the Indian Customs SCMTR schema from import and export B/Ls, then submit them through your customs channel.
- Export manifestProduce the Sea Cargo Manifest PDF for one sailing from its invoiced B/Ls, with a voyage header you review and a row for each B/L.
Related terms
- Cargo Summary NotificationA Cargo Summary Notification is a message filed with Indian customs summarizing cargo by master and house consignment. It is filed under the Sea Cargo Manifest and Transhipment Regulations.
- IGM and EGMIGM and EGM are the import and export cargo manifests filed with Indian customs for a vessel. The IGM covers an arriving vessel and the EGM a departing one.
- Sea cargo manifestA sea cargo manifest is the carrier's list of all cargo on a vessel for a voyage. It is set out by bill of lading and used by customs, ports and agents.
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