What is an EDI 846 Inventory Inquiry/Advice?

Buyers and sellers generally use this transaction set to convey inventory information which is common in dropshipping. EDI 846 documents adhere to the x12 format established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), a non-profit organization responsible for governing EDI formats within the United States.

The type of information exchanged in the EDI 846 includes:

• inquiry time and date
• inventory location identification
• quantity forecasted
• quantity sold
• pricing information.

EDI 846 Inventory Inquiry/Advice Sample

This document is divided into functional groups that explain the transaction’s contents. The following example details the different data elements and segments that are found within this transaction set[1].

ISA*00* *00* *12*7172557825 *Receive
*160802*0717*U*00401*000012886*0*P*>
GS*IB*7172557825*Receive*20160802*0717*12886*X*004010
ST*846*0001
BIA*00*DS*0700*20160802
REF*IA*XXXXXX
N1*DS*D&H Distributing
N3*Addresss
N4*City*StateCode*Zip
LIN**UP*0007325000001*VP*0270456467031*BP*455723541
PID*F*08*Item Description
SDQ*EA*91*002*12*234*12*453*45*090*234*890*34************
QTY*33*6*EA
LIN**UP*0007325000002*VP*0270456467032*BP*455723542
PID*F*08*Item Description
SDQ*EA*91*002*12*234*12*453*45*090*234*890*34************
QTY*33*0*EA
LIN**UP*0007325000003*VP*0270456467033*BP*455723543
PID*F*08*Item Description
D&H Sample Set
ISA*00* *00* *12*7172557825 *Receive
*160802*0717*U*00401*000012886*0*P*>
GS*IB*7172557825*Receive*20160802*0717*12886*X*004010
ST*846*0001
BIA*00*DS*0700*20160802
REF*IA*XXXXXX
N1*DS*D&H Distributing
N3*Addresss
N4*City*StateCode*Zip
LIN**UP*0007325000001*VP*0270456467031*BP*455723541
PID*F*08*Item Description
SDQ*EA*91*002*12*234*12*453*45*090*234*890*34************
QTY*33*6*EA
LIN**UP*0007325000002*VP*0270456467032*BP*455723542
PID*F*08*Item Description
SDQ*EA*91*002*12*234*12*453*45*090*234*890*34************
QTY*33*0*EA
LIN**UP*0007325000003*VP*0270456467033*BP*455723543
PID*F*08*Item Description
8/26/2016 V4010
ImplememtationGuide846_V1.ecs 24 D&H Distributors
SDQ*EA*91*002*12*234*12*453*45*090*234*890*34************
QTY*33*18*EA
LIN**UP*0007325000004*VP*0270456467034*BP*455723544
PID*F*08*Item Description
SDQ*EA*91*002*12*234*12*453*45*090*234*890*34************
QTY*33*36*EA
CTT*5502
SE*56477*0004
GE*1*4
IEA*1*000012886

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Workflow for the Exchange of an EDI 846 Inventory Inquiry/Advice

Belonging to the X12 transaction set, this document is primarily used to provide inventory information or inquire about inventory availability. Note: this inquiry document is not used to reserve items. It is used by both vendors and retailers. When used by a retailer, it informs the seller about the current level of items on the shelves. In contrast, a seller uses an EDI 846 to communicate their inventory levels and forecasted stock to retailers.

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