What Is the EDI 846?
The EDI 846 Inventory Inquiry/Advice is used to communicate product inventory levels between trading partners. Suppliers send 846s to retailers to report available inventory, while retailers may send 846s to request inventory status.
Key Data Elements
The 846 contains detailed inventory information:
- Product identifiers - UPC, SKU, or vendor part numbers.
- Quantity available by location (warehouse, distribution center).
- Inventory status - available, committed, in-transit, damaged.
- Date/time of inventory snapshot.
- Forecast or projected availability dates.
Inventory Visibility Benefits
Automated 846 exchange enables collaborative inventory management, reduces safety stock requirements, supports vendor-managed inventory (VMI) programs, and improves fill rates across the supply chain.