UNEDIFACT

UN/EDIFACT, short for United Nations/Electronic Data Interchange For Administration, Commerce and Transport, is an international standard for electronic data interchange (EDI) between organizations. It provides a common, machine-readable format for the exchange of administrative, commercial, and transport information, enabling cross-border trade and logistics. Developed by UN/CEFACT in the 1980s, UN/EDIFACT covers a broad library of message types and data structures for a wide range of business processes.

A UN/EDIFACT message consists of segments built from data elements and composites, following a defined syntax. Messages are transmitted within an interchange envelope, typically including an interchange header (UNB), one or more messages (UNH/UNT), and an interchange trailer (UNZ). The standard defines standard message types—such as ORDERS, INVOIC, DESADV, and REMADV—each with a specified set of segments and data elements.

UN/EDIFACT is maintained by UN/CEFACT and is aligned with ISO 9735. It is updated periodically to expand vocabulary and reflect new business needs. The standard remains widely used in international trade, customs, and logistics, and is commonly embedded in ERP and EDI networks. Despite the rise of XML- and API-based formats, UN/EDIFACT continues to support cross-border electronic data exchange in many sectors.