GDS
Nature of cargo. EDIFACT segment whose function is to describe the nature of cargo for transport.
Definition
The GDS segment (Nature of cargo) is listed in the UN/CEFACT Trade Data Element and Segment Directory (TRSD). Its purpose: describe the nature of cargo for transport.
Origin
Published by UN/CEFACT in successive EDIFACT directories (D.96A and onward). The segment is defined by UN/TRSD and instantiated in the MIGs of messages that use it. Syntactic control is governed by ISO 9735.
Use
The GDS segment appears in transport messages (IFTMIN, IFTMCS) to characterise the goods (general, bulk, dangerous). Like every EDIFACT segment, it is composed of simple or composite data elements qualified by UNCLs (United Nations Code Lists).