**These specifications are a base model. All customers are responsible for ensuring their map or EDI is compliant with their trading partner's most current specifications.
X12 846 Inventory Inquiry/Advice
X12 Release 4010Revised November 6, 2023
This Draft Standard for Trial Use contains the format and establishes the data contents of the Inventory Inquiry/Advice Transaction Set (846) for use within the context of an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) environment. The transaction set can be used in the following ways: (1) for a seller of goods and services to provide inventory information to a prospective purchaser, with no obligation to the purchaser to acquire these goods or services; (2) for a representative of a seller of goods and services to supply inventory information to that seller; (3) for one location to supply another location with inventory information; and (4) for an inquiry as to the availability of inventory with no obligation on the seller of goods and services to reserve that inventory.
Delimiters
~ Segment
* Element
> Component
EDI sample
Interchange Control Header
RequiredMax use 1
To start and identify an interchange of zero or more functional groups and interchange-related control segments
Example
ISA*00* *00* *XX*XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX*XX*XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX*250113*1656*U*00401*000000000*X*X*>~
Authorization Information Qualifier
Required
Identifier (ID)
Code to identify the type of information in the Authorization Information
00
No Authorization Information Present (No Meaningful Information in I02)
Authorization Information
Required
String (AN)
Min 10Max 10
Information used for additional identification or authorization of the interchange sender or the data in the interchange; the type of information is set by the Authorization Information Qualifier (I01)
Security Information Qualifier
Required
Identifier (ID)
Code to identify the type of information in the Security Information
00
No Security Information Present (No Meaningful Information in I04)
Security Information
Required
String (AN)
Min 10Max 10
This is used for identifying the security information about the interchange sender or the data in the interchange; the type of information is set by the Security Information Qualifier (I03)
Interchange ID Qualifier
Required
Identifier (ID)
Min 2Max 2
Qualifier to designate the system/method of code structure used to designate the sender or receiver ID element being qualified
Codes
Interchange Sender ID
Required
String (AN)
Min 15Max 15
Identification code published by the sender for other parties to use as the receiver ID to route data to them; the sender always codes this value in the sender ID element
Interchange ID Qualifier
Required
Identifier (ID)
Min 2Max 2
Qualifier to designate the system/method of code structure used to designate the sender or receiver ID element being qualified
Codes
Interchange Receiver ID
Required
String (AN)
Min 15Max 15
Identification code published by the receiver of the data; When sending, it is used by the sender as their sending ID, thus other parties sending to them will use this as a receiving ID to route data to them
Interchange Date
Required
Date (DT)
YYMMDD format
Date of the interchange
Interchange Time
Required
Time (TM)
HHMM format
Time of the interchange
Interchange Control Standards Identifier
Required
Identifier (ID)
Code to identify the agency responsible for the control standard used by the message that is enclosed by the interchange header and trailer
U
U.S. EDI Community of ASC X12, TDCC, and UCS
Interchange Control Version Number
Required
Identifier (ID)
This version number covers the interchange control segments
00401
Draft Standards for Trial Use Approved for Publication by ASC X12 Procedures Review Board through October 1997
Interchange Control Number
Required
Numeric (N0)
Min 9Max 9
A control number assigned by the interchange sender
Acknowledgment Requested
Required
Identifier (ID)
Min 1Max 1
Code sent by the sender to request an interchange acknowledgment (TA1)
0
No Acknowledgment Requested
1
Interchange Acknowledgment Requested
Usage Indicator
Required
Identifier (ID)
Min 1Max 1
Code to indicate whether data enclosed by this interchange envelope is test, production or information
I
Information
P
Production Data
T
Test Data
Component Element Separator
Required
String (AN)
Min 1Max 1
Type is not applicable; the component element separator is a delimiter and not a data element; this field provides the delimiter used to separate component data elements within a composite data structure; this value must be different than the data element separator and the segment terminator
>
Component Element Separator
Functional Group Header
RequiredMax use 1
To indicate the beginning of a functional group and to provide control information
Example
GS*IB*XXXXXX*XXXX*20250113*1848*0000000*XX*004010~
Functional Identifier Code
Required
Identifier (ID)
Code identifying a group of application related transaction sets
IB
Inventory Inquiry/Advice (846)
Application Sender's Code
Required
String (AN)
Min 2Max 15
Code identifying party sending transmission; codes agreed to by trading partners
Application Receiver's Code
Required
String (AN)
Min 2Max 15
Code identifying party receiving transmission. Codes agreed to by trading partners
Date
Required
Date (DT)
CCYYMMDD format
Date expressed as CCYYMMDD
Time
Required
Time (TM)
HHMM, HHMMSS, HHMMSSD, or HHMMSSDD format
Time expressed in 24-hour clock time as follows: HHMM, or HHMMSS, or HHMMSSD, or HHMMSSDD, where H = hours (00-23), M = minutes (00-59), S = integer seconds (00-59) and DD = decimal seconds; decimal seconds are expressed as follows: D = tenths (0-9) and DD = hundredths (00-99)
Group Control Number
Required
Numeric (N0)
Min 1Max 9
Assigned number originated and maintained by the sender
Responsible Agency Code
Required
Identifier (ID)
Min 1Max 2
Code used in conjunction with Data Element 480 to identify the issuer of the standard
T
Transportation Data Coordinating Committee (TDCC)
X
Accredited Standards Committee X12
Version / Release / Industry Identifier Code
Required
String (AN)
Code indicating the version, release, subrelease, and industry identifier of the EDI standard being used, including the GS and GE segments; if code in DE455 in GS segment is X, then in DE 480 positions 1-3 are the version number; positions 4-6 are the release and subrelease, level of the version; and positions 7-12 are the industry or trade association identifiers (optionally assigned by user); if code in DE455 in GS segment is T, then other formats are allowed
004010
Draft Standards Approved for Publication by ASC X12 Procedures Review Board through October 1997
Heading
010
Transaction Set Header
RequiredMax use 1
To indicate the start of a transaction set and to assign a control number
Example
ST*846*0001~
Transaction Set Identifier Code
Required
Identifier (ID)
Code uniquely identifying a Transaction Set
- The transaction set identifier (ST01) used by the translation routines of the interchange partners to select the appropriate transaction set definition (e.g., 810 selects the Invoice Transaction Set).
846
Inventory Inquiry/Advice
Transaction Set Control Number
Required
Numeric (N)
Min 4Max 9
Identifying control number that must be unique within the transaction set functional group assigned by the originator for a transaction set
020
Beginning Segment for Inventory Inquiry/Advice
RequiredMax use 1
To indicate the beginning of an Inventory Inquiry/Advice Transaction Set
Example
BIA*00*SI*XX*20230412*0006~
Transaction Set Purpose Code
Required
Identifier (ID)
Code identifying purpose of transaction set
00
Original
Report Type Code
Required
Identifier (ID)
Code indicating the title or contents of a document, report or supporting item
SI
Seller Inventory Report
Reference Identification
Required
String (AN)
Min 1Max 30
Reference information as defined for a particular Transaction Set or as specified by the Reference Identification Qualifier
- BIA03 identifies the number of the inquiry/advice that is transferred.
Usage notes
Unique Sequence Number (up to 6 digits).
Date
Required
Date (DT)
CCYYMMDD format
Date expressed as CCYYMMDD
- BIA04 identifies the date of the inquiry/advice that is transferred.
Usage notes
Date of Inventory.
Time
Required
Time (TM)
HHMM, HHMMSS, HHMMSSD, or HHMMSSDD format
Time expressed in 24-hour clock time as follows: HHMM, or HHMMSS, or HHMMSSD, or HHMMSSDD, where H = hours (00-23), M = minutes (00-59), S = integer seconds (00-59) and DD = decimal seconds; decimal seconds are expressed as follows: D = tenths (0-9) and DD = hundredths (00-99)
- BIA05 identifies the time of the inquiry/advice that is transferred.
060
Reference Identification
RequiredMax use 12
To specify identifying information
Example
REF*VR*XXXXXX*X~
Reference Identification Qualifier
Required
Identifier (ID)
Code qualifying the Reference Identification
VR
Vendor ID Number
Reference Identification
Required
String (AN)
Min 1Max 30
Reference information as defined for a particular Transaction Set or as specified by the Reference Identification Qualifier
Usage notes
Distribution Facility ID.
Description
Required
String (AN)
Min 1Max 80
A free-form description to clarify the related data elements and their content
Usage notes
Name of the Distribution Facility.
Detail
LIN Loop
RequiredMax >1
010
Item Identification
RequiredMax use 1
To specify basic item identification data
Example
LIN*XXXXX*UP*X*VN*XXXXX*BP*XXXXXX~
If either Product/Service ID Qualifier (LIN-06) or Product/Service ID (LIN-07) is present, then the other is required
Assigned Identification
Required
String (AN)
Min 1Max 20
Alphanumeric characters assigned for differentiation within a transaction set
- LIN01 is the line item identification
Usage notes
Sequence Number.
Product/Service ID Qualifier
Required
Identifier (ID)
Code identifying the type/source of the descriptive number used in Product/Service ID (234)
- LIN02 through LIN31 provide for fifteen different product/service IDs for each item. For example: Case, Color, Drawing No., U.P.C. No., ISBN No., Model No., or SKU.
Usage notes
Walmart UPC Code Qualifier.
UP
U.P.C. Consumer Package Code (1-5-5-1)
Product/Service ID
Required
String (AN)
Min 1Max 48
Identifying number for a product or service
Usage notes
Walmart 13 digits UPC number (first 13 digits of the GTIN).
Product/Service ID Qualifier
Required
Identifier (ID)
Code identifying the type/source of the descriptive number used in Product/Service ID (234)
VN
Vendor's (Seller's) Item Number
Product/Service ID
Required
String (AN)
Min 1Max 48
Identifying number for a product or service
Usage notes
Supplier SKU or model number.
Product/Service ID Qualifier
Optional
Identifier (ID)
Code identifying the type/source of the descriptive number used in Product/Service ID (234)
Usage notes
Walmart.com Item ID Qualifier.
BP
Buyer's Part Number
Product/Service ID
Optional
String (AN)
Min 1Max 48
Identifying number for a product or service
Usage notes
Walmart.com item ID/number.
140
Reference Identification
RequiredMax use >1
To specify identifying information
Example
REF*ZZ*BO~
Reference Identification Qualifier
Required
Identifier (ID)
Code qualifying the Reference Identification
ZZ
Mutually Defined
Reference Identification
Required
String (AN)
Reference information as defined for a particular Transaction Set or as specified by the Reference Identification Qualifier
Usage notes
Two availability code values will automatically remove an item from the Walmart.com site catalog. The “NA” code is used if it’s possible that the item UPC may return at some time in the future and “DT” is used if the item UPC won’t return (e.g. UPC is discontinued). In either case, please send at least two consecutive updates messages before the UPC is removed from the inventory feed.
AC
Active
Item can be ordered only if the number of items
on hand is sufficient to fulfill the amount ordered. An on hand quantity is required, and Minimum and Maximum Days to Ship are optional. If the Days are not specified, then 0 to 1 business days is assumed.
BO
Build to Order
Item is pre-configured and manufactured on demand. Minimum and Maximum Days to Ship are required to indicate how long it will take to fulfill an order. Since the supplier configures these items before the order is placed, it’s assumed that the item will always ship and backorders aren’t allowed.
DT
Deleted
Item isn't available for purchase and may be
deleted from the catalog.
JT
Just in Time
Item is stocked on demand. Minimum
and Maximum Days to Ship are required to indicate how long it will take to fulfill an order.
NA
Not Active
Item isn't available for purchase at this time.
PO
Pre-Order
Supplier is accepting pre-orders for the
item. An Availability Start Date is required to indicate when orders are expected to ship. In addition, an on hand quantity is required to determine how many items may be pre-ordered. After the start date, it acts like an active item (On Hand Quantity is required and Minimum and Maximum Days to Ship are optional).
RO
Run Out
Item is being discontinued and will not be
restocked. The Availability End Date is required to
indicate the last date on which orders will be accepted. Before the end date, it behaves like an active item (On Hand Quantity is required and Minimum and Maximum Days to Ship are optional).
SE
Seasonal
Item is available, but it's seasonal and orders
are only accepted during a specified date range. Both Availability Start and End Dates are required to indicate the date range. Within the date range, it behaves like an active item (On Hand Quantity is required and Minimum and Maximum Days to Ship are optional).
QTY Loop
OptionalMax >1
320
Quantity
RequiredMax use 1
To specify quantity information
Example
QTY*17*000~
Quantity Qualifier
Required
Identifier (ID)
Code specifying the type of quantity
17
Quantity on Hand
Quantity
Optional
Decimal number (R)
Min 1Max 15
Numeric value of quantity
340
Measurements
OptionalMax use 25
To specify physical measurements or counts, including dimensions, tolerances, variances, and weights
(See Figures Appendix for example of use of C001)
Example
MEA****DA*0000*00~
If Range Minimum (MEA-05) is present, then Composite Unit of Measure (MEA-04) is required
If Range Maximum (MEA-06) is present, then Composite Unit of Measure (MEA-04) is required
Composite Unit of Measure
OptionalMax use 1
To identify a composite unit of measure (See Figures Appendix for examples of use)
Unit or Basis for Measurement Code
Required
Identifier (ID)
Code specifying the units in which a value is being expressed, or manner in which a measurement has been taken
DA
Days
Range Minimum
Optional
Decimal number (R)
Min 1Max 15
The value specifying the minimum of the measurement range
- When citing dimensional tolerances, any measurement requiring a sign (+ or -), or any measurement where a positive (+) value cannot be assumed, use MEA05 as the negative (-) value and MEA06 as the positive (+) value.
Usage notes
The minimum number of business days to fulfill an order for this item.
Range Maximum
Optional
Decimal number (R)
Min 1Max 15
The value specifying the maximum of the measurement range
Usage notes
The maximum number of business days to fulfill an order for this item.
355
End
OptionalMax use 10
To specify pertinent dates and times
Example
DTM*197*20230412~
Variants (all may be used)
Date/Time Qualifier
Required
Identifier (ID)
Code specifying type of date or time, or both date and time
197
End
Date
Optional
Date (DT)
CCYYMMDD format
Date expressed as CCYYMMDD
Usage notes
The last date the item will be available to sell.
355
Start
OptionalMax use 10
To specify pertinent dates and times
Example
DTM*196*20230412~
Variants (all may be used)
Date/Time Qualifier
Required
Identifier (ID)
Code specifying type of date or time, or both date and time
196
Start
Date
Optional
Date (DT)
CCYYMMDD format
Date expressed as CCYYMMDD
Usage notes
The first date the item will be available to sell.
Summary
010
Transaction Totals
RequiredMax use 1
To transmit a hash total for a specific element in the transaction set
- Number of line items (CTT01) is the accumulation of number of LIN segments. If used, hash total (CTT02) is the sum of the values of the quantities (QTY02) of each QTY segment.
Example
CTT*0000~
Number of Line Items
Required
Numeric (N0)
Min 1Max 6
Total number of line items in the transaction set
020
Transaction Set Trailer
RequiredMax use 1
To indicate the end of the transaction set and provide the count of the transmitted segments (including the beginning (ST) and ending (SE) segments)
Example
SE*000000*0001~
Number of Included Segments
Required
Numeric (N0)
Min 1Max 10
Total number of segments included in a transaction set including ST and SE segments
Transaction Set Control Number
Required
Numeric (N)
Min 4Max 9
Identifying control number that must be unique within the transaction set functional group assigned by the originator for a transaction set
Functional Group Trailer
RequiredMax use 1
To indicate the end of a functional group and to provide control information
Example
GE*000*000000~
Number of Transaction Sets Included
Required
Numeric (N0)
Min 1Max 6
Total number of transaction sets included in the functional group or interchange (transmission) group terminated by the trailer containing this data element
Group Control Number
Required
Numeric (N0)
Min 1Max 9
Assigned number originated and maintained by the sender
Interchange Control Trailer
RequiredMax use 1
To define the end of an interchange of zero or more functional groups and interchange-related control segments
Example
IEA*0*000000000~
Number of Included Functional Groups
Required
Numeric (N0)
Min 1Max 5
A count of the number of functional groups included in an interchange
Interchange Control Number
Required
Numeric (N0)
Min 9Max 9
A control number assigned by the interchange sender
Was this article helpful?
That’s Great!
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry! We couldn't be helpful
Thank you for your feedback
Feedback sent
We appreciate your effort and will try to fix the article