An excerpt from an EDIFACT message might be: DTM + 11: 200 606 200 730: 203.
This whole line is called a segment. The meaning of each code is as follows:
1. DTM is the segment identifier and it indicates that the following data is date/time information.
2. 11 is a data element. In this example, a qualifier describes what kind of event is meant.
3. The code 11 means: time of dispatch/delivery of goods.
4.  200606200730 is another element. Here it represents the date in the format CCYYMMDDHHMM.
5. 203 is also an element. 203 is an identifier for the date format.
6. In this example, 203 means that the date is in the format CCYYMMDDHHMM (as of D.18B, CC-century, YY-Year, MM- Month, DD-Date, HH - Hour, MM - Minute).

The basic standardization concept of EDIFACT is that there are uniform message types called United Nations Standard Message (UNSM). In so-called subsets, the message types can be specified deeper in their characteristics depending on the sector. The message types, all of which always have exactly one nickname consisting of six uppercase English alphabets. The message begins with UNH and ends with UNT
1. Service messages:
To confirm/reject a message, CONTRL and APERAK messages are sent
2. CONTRL-Syntax Check and Confirmation of Arrival of Message
3. APERAK - Technical error messages and acknowledgment
4. Data exchange
5. CREMUL - multiple credit advice
6. DELFOR-Delivery forecast
7. IFTMBC - Booking confirmation.

1. United Nations/Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce and Transport (UN/EDIFACT) is an international EDI-standard developed under the supervision of the United Nations. In 1987, the UN/EDIFACT syntax rules were approved as ISO: ISO9735 standard by the International Organization for Standardization.
2. EDIFACT includes a set of internationally agreed standards, catalogs and guidelines for electronic exchange of structured data between independent computer systems.
3. It is a cross-industry, standard data format of electronic data for commercial transactions. Maintenance and further development of this standard goes through the United Nations Center for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT), which is affiliated to the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).