MT-TAG-20

MT tag 20 carries the 16-character Sender's Reference assigned by the emitter on MT 1xx / 2xx / 9xx messages. It is the pivot identifier of SWIFT tracking.

Definition

Tag 20 holds a 16-character string in SWIFT-X format (alphanumeric + a few punctuation marks) that uniquely identifies the payment instruction for the emitter. On an MT 103 (Single Customer Credit Transfer), it is the originator's commercial customer reference.

Origin

Tag 20 has appeared in the SWIFT Standards MT User Handbook since the network's inception (1977). Its 16-character length and SWIFT-X alphabet have been unchanged since the earliest specifications.

Use

On an MT 103 emitted by BNP Paribas, tag 20 typically reads :20:REF-2026-0000123 and lets every bank along the way (intermediary, correspondent, beneficiary) trace the same operation in gpi Tracker. Under ISO 20022, this tag migrates to the EndToEndId field of pacs.008.

Related terms

• ISO 20022 — ISO 20022 successor.
• MT tag 23B — operation code.
• MT tag 32A — value amount.
• CdtTrfTxInf — ISO 20022 equivalent.