CODECO UN/EDIFACT Document Description
CODECO UN/EDIFACT is a message that is used by the terminal operators and depositary managers to report to the shipping company and ship’s agent which containers have reached (gate-in) or left (gate-out) the Container Terminal.
CODECO UN/EDIFACT replaces the old EDIFACT messages COMORE (“Container MOvement report). Originally it was a message about the departure of containers from the Terminal: “Container DEparture COnfirmation”, hence the acronym “CODECO”. The new name is more evident: “Container gate-in/gate-out report message”.
The container movements from and to inland barges are also reported with a CODECO message, even though it is not really gate-in or gate-out. The message is managed by the international SMDG group which mainly consists of terminal operators and shipping companies.
Arrival (“IN” movement)
As soon as the container passes the gate-in, all the data is automatically stored in the Terminal Operating System (TOS) of the Container Terminal via OCR recognition, digital photographs and later possibly also via RFID. This data is periodically reported from the TOS to the shipowner or his ship’s agent via a CODECO/IN message. The frequency of reporting is agreed between Container Terminal and shipping company/ship’s agent. This can range from several hours to minutes. It contributes to the visibility of the container status in the rest of the chain. The CODECO/IN message is also sent by the TOS to the PLDA system of the Belgian Customs in the context of “MASP/ECS/Arrival at exit”. This concerns a compulsory reporting of goods arriving at the “place of exit” to leave the EU. This is also referred to as “goods arrival notice”. The message only reports on container movements over “land” (truck, rail, but also inland barge) and not on discharge at “sea”. For the latter a COARRI/discharge message is used.
Departure (“OUT” movement)
As soon as the container passes the Gate-out after calling at the Container Terminal, all data is automatically stored in the Terminal Operating System (TOS) of the Container Terminal via OCR recognition, digital photographs and later possibly via RFID as well. This data is periodically reported from the TOS to the shipping company or his ship’s agent via a CODECO/OUT message. The frequency of reporting is agreed between Container Terminal and shipping company/ship’s agent. This can range from several hours minutes. It contributes to the visibility of the container status in the rest of the chain. The CODECO/OUT message does not have to be sent to the PLDA system of Belgian Customs. Only CODECO/IN is important in the context of “MASP/ECS/Arrival at exit”.The message only reports on container movements over “land” (truck, rail, inland barge) and not about loading at “sea”. For the latter a COARRI/Load message is used.
In some cases it is useful to also report internal movements within the terminal. This can also be done via the CODECO UN/EDIFACT message on the condition that there is a special “999” message qualifier.