What is the EDI 315?

The EDI 315 format

The EDI 315 is crucial for maintaining visibility and facilitating efficient communication across the supply chain, especially in international trade. This document ensures that all stakeholders, from shipping lines to consignees, have access to timely and accurate information regarding the movement and status of their shipments.

Here’s a general outline of the structure for the EDI 315 document:

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B4: Beginning segment for inquiry or reply

Provides basic information about the transaction, such as the status type code and date/time of the status.



N9: Reference identification

Used for additional reference numbers or identification information relevant to the shipment or status.



Q2: Status details (ocean)

Contains details about the ocean shipment, such as the vessel name, voyage number and bill of lading number.

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SG: Shipment status

Describes the current status of the shipment, including location and event codes.



R4: Port or terminal

Identifies ports and terminals involved in the shipment, detailing events or actions taken at those locations.



DTM: Date/time reference

Indicates relevant dates and times, such as the estimated date of arrival or actual time of departure.

How is the EDI 315 used?

Status reporting:

The primary use of the EDI 315 document is to provide updates on various stages of the shipping process, including departure, arrival, customs clearance and delivery.

Tracking and visibility:

The EDI 315 enhances the tracking capabilities and visibility of ocean freight for all parties involved in the supply chain, including shippers, consignees, freight forwarders and customs brokers.

Event notification:

The EDI 315 provides notifications about specific events that may impact the shipment, such as delays, holds or transshipments, enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions.

Documentation and compliance:

This document serves as a digital record of the shipping status and events, which is essential for documentation, auditing and compliance purposes.

Benefits of using the EDI 315 Ocean Status Details

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Improved operational efficiency:

Automating the status reporting process through EDI 315 reduces manual work, streamlines operations and decreases the likelihood of errors. This leads to more efficient supply chain management.

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Enhanced visibility and control:

Real-time updates and visibility into the status of ocean shipments enable better planning and control over the supply chain. Stakeholders can adjust their operations and logistics strategies based on up-to-date information.

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Risk mitigation:

Early notifications of delays or issues allow supply chain participants to mitigate risks by taking proactive measures, such as adjusting inventory levels or informing end customers of potential delays.

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Cost savings:

Increased efficiency and the ability to respond quickly to events can lead to cost savings. For example, reducing demurrage charges by anticipating delays or optimizing inventory levels to avoid excess stock.

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Customer satisfaction:

Enhanced visibility and the ability to provide accurate, timely information to customers improves service levels and customer satisfaction, which is crucial in a competitive market.

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Compliance and documentation:

The EDI 315 ensures that all parties have access to a consistent set of data regarding shipment statuses, which aids in compliance with regulations and simplifies the documentation process.

Common issues regarding EDI 315

Problems with reference identification

Have you had issues in confirming accurate reference information, including shipment statuses, port/terminal locations from your customers?

Inaccurate port or terminal location

Are you spending too much time resolving these discrepancies that it’s impacting your business?

Missing header information

Is it a hassle to add/update Interchange control, functional group, and transaction set headers in your system by hand?

Automate EDI 315 Status Details (Ocean) with SPS Commerce

Managing ongoing X12 EDI 315 tasks can be complex and time-consuming. A full-service provider, like SPS Commerce, has an expert team that handles constant management of your EDI solution. The SPS team actively manages 9,000 changes from retailers each year.

Full-service EDI providers like SPS Commerce supply EDI technology and related staffing resources responsible for customizing, optimizing, and operating your EDI solution. We work directly with your trading partners to administer connectivity, setup, requirements, updates and support efforts.

We also assume ownership of understanding your trading partner requirements and making map changes. SPS Fulfillment proactively monitors and optimizes your solution to avoid errors and minimize data entry.

Are you interested in learning more about our EDI solution?

Learn More About SPS Fulfillment

Additional EDI Resources

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EDI 315 - Status Details (Ocean)