Talk to us

What is an EDI 211?

The EDI 211 is the electronic motor carrier bill of lading: the shipper’s detailed description of a shipment handed to the carrier, replacing the paper BOL for LTL and truckload freight.

Shipper → carrier
Written by EDI specialists
Everything is on the page, nothing to fill in

Last reviewed October 6, 2026 by Effective Data's EDI specialists.

Where it fits

When the 211 is used, and which way it travels

How the EDI 211 travelsThe 211 Motor Carrier Bill of Lading goes from Shipper to Carrier. In sequence with: 211, 856, 214, 240.ShipperCarrier211Motor Carrier Bill of LadingIn sequence211Bill of lading856Ship notice214Shipment status240Package status
How the EDI 211 travelsThe 211 Motor Carrier Bill of Lading goes from Shipper to Carrier. In sequence with: 211, 856, 214, 240.ShipperCarrier211Motor Carrier Bill of LadingIn sequence211Bill of lading856Ship notice214Shipment status240Package status
Which way the 211 travels, and the documents it is usually traded alongside. Partner implementation guides can add or drop documents from this set.

It travels from the shipper to the motor carrier when freight is tendered, carrying the shipment identification, the parties, handling requirements and the order-level detail the carrier needs to move and deliver the goods.

In 3PL and logistics operations the 211 sits with the 214 and 240 among the documents that manage shipping and transportation processes: shipment details, tracking statuses and package-level updates.

Also called the Bill of Lading, the BOL. Same document, same number.

Inside the document

The segments, and what each one carries

The published X12 structure, minus the segments most partners never use. Each partner's implementation guide narrows this further: which qualifiers, which identifiers, how many decimals. That guide, not the standard, is what your file is validated against.

Structure of the EDI 211An ISA/IEA interchange envelope wraps a GS/GE functional group, which wraps the 211 transaction set from ST to SE. Header: BOL, N1. Detail: AT5, OID. Summary: none listed.ISAInterchange envelopeIEAGSFunctional groupGESTTransaction set 211SEHeaderBOLN1Detailrepeats per line or loopAT5OIDSummaryno segments listed
Structure of the EDI 211An ISA/IEA interchange envelope wraps a GS/GE functional group, which wraps the 211 transaction set from ST to SE. Header: BOL, N1. Detail: AT5, OID. Summary: none listed.ISAInterchange envelopeIEAGSFunctional groupGESTTransaction set 211SEHeaderBOLN1Detailrepeats per line or loopAT5OIDSummaryno segments listed
The 211 inside its X12 envelope. ISA and GS wrap every interchange; ST and SE open and close this document; the segments between them are the ones listed below, in the part of the document they belong to.
SegmentNamePartWhat it carries
ST Transaction Set Header Header Identifies the document as a 211 and opens the control number the trailer must match.
BOL Beginning Segment for the Bill of Lading Header Carrier SCAC, shipment identification number and the date the BOL was issued.
N1 Party Identification Header Shipper, consignee and bill-to parties.
AT5 Bill of Lading Handling Requirements Detail Special handling and services the shipment requires.
OID Order Information Detail Detail The order-level line: reference numbers, piece counts and weights.
SE Transaction Set Trailer Summary Closes the set. Segment count and control number must match the ST.
ST Transaction Set Header Header
Identifies the document as a 211 and opens the control number the trailer must match.
BOL Beginning Segment for the Bill of Lading Header
Carrier SCAC, shipment identification number and the date the BOL was issued.
N1 Party Identification Header
Shipper, consignee and bill-to parties.
AT5 Bill of Lading Handling Requirements Detail
Special handling and services the shipment requires.
OID Order Information Detail Detail
The order-level line: reference numbers, piece counts and weights.
SE Transaction Set Trailer Summary
Closes the set. Segment count and control number must match the ST.
Related documents

The documents the 211 travels with

214

Transportation Carrier Shipment Status Message

Read it →
240

Motor Carrier Package Status

Read it →
856

Ship Notice/Manifest

Read it →

Frequently asked

+ What is an EDI 211?

The Motor Carrier Bill of Lading: the electronic version of the paper BOL, sent by the shipper to the carrier with the full description of the shipment being tendered.

+ How does the 211 differ from the 856?

The 211 is the shipper’s instruction and description to the CARRIER; the 856 advance ship notice tells the RECEIVING trading partner what is on the way. The same physical shipment commonly produces both.

+ Where does the 211 fit in a 3PL operation?

With the 214 and 240, it is one of the transportation documents that manage shipping processes: shipment details, tracking statuses and package-level updates between logistics partners.

Is your 211 failing, or being mandated by a partner?

Describe the situation and a named EDI specialist will tell you what it takes, including when the answer is that you do not need us.

Or call 847.969.9300

Answered by a named EDI specialist on the same business day. If we are not the right answer we will say so on the first call.