Implementation Guide to

Payment and Remittance Message

EDI 820
Version 4010

Description: This transaction set can be an order to a

financial institution to make a payment to a payee. It can also be a
remittance advice identifying the detail needed to perform cash
application to the payee's accounts receivable system. The
remittance advice can go directly from payer to payee, through a
financial institution, or through a third party agent.
Overview
Purpose
The Payment Order/Remittance Advice transaction allows you to automate the exchange
of payment details and payment to CN directly or through your bank. There are three
EDI payment options:
1. Remittance with Payment, sent through your bank to CN
2. Remittance advice only, sent directly to CN (payment is made
independently)
A. Remittance Advice sent through a VAN
B. Remittance Advice sent through secured FTP
3. Payment only, sent through your bank to CN
Throughout this document these will be referred to as Option 1, Option 2A & 2B and
Option 3.
Other electronic payment options, such as eBill Service (a CN eBusiness tool) are described
on the CN website at:
http://www.cn.ca/eBill

EDI Version & Guidelines

This document describes the implementation of EDI 820 payment details using ANSI
version 3020 to 4010. The actual mapping requirements of version 4010 is contained in
this Implementation Guide available on the website at:
http://www.cn.ca/guides

This Payment Order/Remittance Advice 820, version 004010, closely complies with the
official published Guidelines of American National Standards Institute. US Dollar
Payments are handled through the ACH CTX (Automated Clearing House Corporate
Trade Exchange) network.
Canadian Dollar payments are handled through the Canadian banking network.
Formats and Options
It is entirely the responsibility of the Sender of the 820 to ensure that messages produced
meet the descriptions and requirements set out in this document. Formats other than
those presented in this guide must be reviewed with your CN representative prior to
implementation.
 Connection Options
CN has direct connection with 3 VAN’s (Value Added Networks). They are GXS,
Transentric, and Kleinschmidt (KNSX). Interconnection to other VANs is also available.
Exchange through secured FTP is now available at CN and is free of charge to customers.
Remittance details sent via FTP should conform to EDI 820 Standards.
Connection options to transmit information to your Bank may be different, and are not
covered in this document.

Message Timing
Remittance Advice messages are accepted at all times of the day so you can send
them as soon as your process completes the preparation of the file.
All Payments (options 1 and 3) sent by the bank to CN prior to 20:00 (Eastern Standard
Time) are processed by CN in a batch job on the same business day.
For Option 2, the payment is only applied to your CN account the day after both
payment and remittance details have been received. Remittance details should be
received by CN prior to the payment.

Payment Options
If you are selecting option 1 above, all Remittance Details, as well as the Payment
Order, will be transmitted to your bank. The bank will then forward Remittance
details to CN and debit your account in favor of CN.
If you are selecting option 2 above, then you must make payment to CN in another
transaction. This transaction must match the total amount stated in the EDI 820 detail
transmission. CN’s standard setup accepts payment details referencing invoice
numbers only. Other payment detail reference formats are available upon request.
If you are selecting option 3, the payment order will be transmitted to the bank and the
bank will forward the file to CN and debit your account in favor of CN.
Please note that CN still requires the details to be sent electronically for option
3. There is a manual transaction fee on details that have been forwarded non-
electronically such as email, fax or other paper remittance.
Canadian and US Dollar payments must be handled in separate transactions if you are
selecting option 1 and option 3. They can be handled in the same transaction for option
2

CN Contact
You can email us at EDIMGR@cn.ca. You can also visit us at www.cn.ca.
Getting Started
To begin the process of implementation you should do the following:
1. Notify us at EDIMGR@cn.ca that you want to Send Payment Orders or
Remittance Advice using EDI. This message should include your full company
name and location, as well as both an Accounts Payable and EDI Technical
contact.
2. CN will then assign someone to work with you on the implementation
3. A review and walkthrough of the Mapping Guide and this Implementation
Guide will facilitate understanding of the data and requirements.
4. Technical details must be resolved such as the Value Added Network to be
used, and the sender and receiver IDs.
5. CN supports a fully functional test system for technical and business
validation of the exchange.

Using the Mapping Guide

Each Segment and Data Element in the transaction is identified in Segment and
Data element order. The following information is available for each:
• Element Code, this is the Data Segment + position within the segment
• Element Number, this is the ANSI reference to the data contained in this position
• Element Name, the name of the data
• Element Type, the ANSI designation for the Data Elements
• Element Length, showing the Minimum/Maximum length of the data
• Required, shows the Mandatory, Conditional, or Optional indication for this
information
• Description, notes on CN’s usage of this data element, including
accepted values
Sample EDI 820 transmission:
(Cheque with Separate Payment Details)
ISA*00* *00* *ZZ*SENDERID *02*CN
*180524*1031*U*00401*000000382*0*P*>
GS*RA*SENDERID*CN*20180524*1031*382*X*004010
ST*820*0372
BPR*I*1625.04*C*CHK
TRN*1*PAYMENT REFERENCE NUMBER
CUR*PR*CAD
REF*CK*001970
DTM*097*20180524
N1*PE*CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY
N1*PR*COMPANY ABC
N3*PO BOX 12345
ENT*1
RMR*IV*12345678**509.24*509.24*0
REF*EQ*CNRU123456
DTM*011*20180411
ENT*1
RMR*IV*12345679**614.8*614.8*0
REF*EQ*GATX123456
DTM*011*20180410
ENT*1
RMR*IV*12345680**501*501*0
REF*EQ*CN649332
DTM*011*20180328
SE*22*0372
GE*1*382
IEA*1*000000382
Sample EDI 820 transmission:
(ACH CTX)
ISA*00* *00* *ZZ*SENDERID *02*CN
*180524*1031*U*00401*000000382*0*P*>
GS*RA*SENDERID*CN*20180524*1031*382*X*004010
ST*820*000000044
BPR*C*12674.24*C*ACH*CTX*01*PAYOR BANK NUMBER**PAYOR BANK
ACCOUNT NUMBER***01*CN BANK NUMBER*DA*CN ACCOUNT
NUMBER*20060527
TRN*1*PAYMENT REFERENCE NUMBER
CUR*PR*USD
REF*RR*0002200605260652249300024
N1*PR*COMPANY ABC
N1*PE*CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY
ENT*1
RMR*IV*012345681**1938.13*1938.13
DTM*003*20180516
ENT*2
RMR*IV*012345682**1938.13*1938.13
DTM*003*20180516
ENT*3
RMR*IV*012345683**2932.66*2932.66
DTM*003*20180517
ENT*4
RMR*IV*012345684**2932.66*2932.66
DTM*003*20180519
ENT*5
RMR*IV*012345685**2932.66*2932.66
DTM*003*20060522
SE*23*000000044
GE*1*615106036
IEA*1*615106033
Sample EDI 820 transmission:
(Payment Only)
ISA*00* *00* *ZZ*SENDERID *02*CN
*180524*1031*U*00401*000000382*0*P*>
GS*RA*SENDERID*CN*20180524*1031*382*X*004010
ST*820*000000007
BPR*D*123701.52*C*X12**04*PAYOR BANK NUMBER**PAYOR BANK ACCOUNT
NUMBER***04*CN BANK NUMBER*DA*CN ACCOUNT NUMBER*060523
TRN*1*PAYMENT REFERENCE NUMBER
REF*RR*12345678901253
N1*PR*COMPANY ABC
N1*PE*CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAYS
N2*FINANCE DEPT.
N3*PO BOX 8100
N4*MONTREAL*QC
SE*10*000000007
GE*1*614312050
IEA*A*1*614312049
ISA Segment: Interchange Control Header

ISA*00* *00* *ZZ*SENDERID *02*CN

*180524*1031*U*00401*000000382*0*P*>

Element Element Data Data Characters

Seq Name Element Type Min/Max
ISA01 Authorization Information Qualifier I01 ID 2/2
ISA02 Authorization Information I02 AN 10/10
(ten spaces)
ISA03 Security Information Qualifier I03 ID 2/2
ISA04 Security Information I04 AN 10/10
(ten spaces)
ISA05 Interchange ID Qualifier I05 ID 2/2
ISA06 Interchange Sender ID I06 AN 15/15
(SENDERID - fill out field with spaces)
ISA07 Interchange ID Qualifier I05 ID 2/2
(If RR SCAC use 02)
ISA08 Interchange Receiver ID I07 AN 15/15
(CN- fill out field with spaces)
ISA09 Interchange Date I08 DT 6/6
(YYMMDD)
ISA10 Interchange Time I09 TM 4/4
(HHMM)
ISA11 Repetition Separator I65 1/1
(Suggest “^”)
ISA12 Interchange Control Version Number I11 ID 5/5
(Value 00401)
ISA13 Interchange Control Number I12 N0 9/9
(a control number assigned by sender)
ISA14 Acknowledgment Requested I13 ID 1/1
(0 = none requested, 1= requested)
ISA15 Usage Indicator I14 ID 1/1
(P = Production, T = Test)
ISA16 Component Element Separator I15 AN 1/1
(Suggest “:”)
GS Segment: Functional Group Header

GS*RA*SENDERID*CN*20180524*1031*382*X*004010

Element Element Data Data Characters

Seq Name Element Type Min/Max

GS01 Functional Identifier Code 479 ID 2/2

(RA= Payment Order/Remittance Advice (820))
GS02 Application Sender's Code 142 AN 2/15
GS03 Application Receiver's Code 124 AN 2/15
GS04 Date 373 DT 8/8
(CCYYMMDD)
GS05 Time 337 TM 4/6
(HHMM)
GS06 Group Control Number 28 N0 1/9
(Assigned number originated and
maintained by the sender)
GS07 Responsible Agency Code 455 ID 1/2
(X = Accredited Standards Committee X12)
GS08 Version / Release / Industry Identity 480 AN 1/12
(CN is using version 004010 of the
X12 EDI Standards)

ST Segment: Transaction Set Header

To indicate the start of a transaction set and to assign a control number

ST*820*0372

Element Element Data Data Characters

Seq Name Element Type Min/Max

ST01 Transaction Set Identifier Code 143 ID 3/3

ST02 Transaction Set Control Number 329 AN 4/9
(Sequential control number generated by Customer)
BPR Segment: Beginning Segment for Payment Order / Remittance Advice - Mandatory

BPR*I*1625.04*C*CHK

Element Element Data Data Characters

Seq Name Element Type Min/Max

BPR01 Transaction Handling code 305 ID 1/1

(I=Remittance Information Only;
D=Payment Only;
C or X=Payment accompanies remittance
Advice)
BPR02 Monetary amount 782 R 1/15
(Amount paid)
BPR03 Credit/Debit Flag Code 478 ID 1/15
(C=Credit)
BPR04 Payment method ID 591 ID 3/3
(ZZZ=$CDN EFT Payments;
NON=Non-Payment Data;
X12=X12;
CHK=Check)
BPR05 Payment Format 812 ID 1/10
(CTX= $US Payments)
BPR06 DFI ID no. qualifier 506 ID 2/2
(04 = $C Payments;
01=$US Payments)
BPR07 DFI ID no. 507 AN 3/12
(Payer Bank Number (Transit))
BPR08 Acct Number Qual. Code 896 ID 2/2
(Not used)
BPR09 Account no. 508 AN 1/35
(Payor Bank Account Number)
BPR10 Originating company ID no. 509 AN 10/10
(Not used)
BPR11 Originating company ID 510 AN 9/9
Supplemental code
(Not used)
BPR12 DFI ID no. qualifier 506 ID 2/2
(04=$C Payments;
01=$US Payments)
BPR13 DFI ID no. 507 AN 3/12
(CN Bank Number (Transit)
BPR14 Acct Number Qual. Code 896 ID 2/2
(Not used)
BPR15 Account no. 508 AN 1/35
(CN Account Number)
BPR16 Effective entry date 513 DT 8/8
(Effective Payment Date)

NOTE: Data Elements BPR06, BPR07, BPR09, BPR12, BPR13, BPR15 are Mandatory when
Transmitting Payment Order to a Banking Institution
TRN Segment: Trace - Mandatory

TRN*1*PAYMENT REFERENCE NUMBER

Element Element Data Data Characters

Seq Name Element Type Min/Max
TRN01 Trace Type Code 481 ID 1/2
(1=Current Transaction Trace Number)
TRN02 Reference Number 127 AN 1/30
(Transaction Trace Number)
TRN03 Originating Company ID 509 AN 10/10
(Not used)
TRN04 Reference Identification 127 AN 1/30
(Not used)

CUR Segment: Currency - Mandatory

CUR*PR*CAD

Element Element Data Data Characters

Seq Name Element Type Min/Max
CUR01 Entity ID 098 ID 2/2
(PR=for Payer)
CUR02 Currency code 100 ID 3/3
(USD=US Dollars;
CAD=Canadian Dollars)

REF Segment: Reference Numbers - Mandatory

REF*CK*001970
REF*EQ*CNRU123456
REF*EQ*GATX123456
REF*EQ*CN649332

Element Element Data Data Characters

Seq Name Element Type Min/Max
REF01 Reference identification qualifier 128 ID 2/2
For Non-Payment 820
(CK=Check Number;
TN=Transaction Ref #;
EM=Electronic Payment Ref#;
EQ=Equipment Initials;
WY=Waybill Number;
BM=Bill of Lading Number)
REF02 Reference identification 127 AN 1/30
(Reference Number)
REF03 Description 352 AN 1/80
(Not used)
DTM Segment: Date and Time Reference - Optional

DTM*097*20180524
DTM*011*20180411

Element Element Data Data Characters

Seq Name Element Type Min/Max
DTM01 Date / Time qualifier 374 ID 3/3
(097=for transaction creation;
011=Shipment Date;
003=Invoice Date)
DTM02 Date 373 DT 8/8
(Transmission Date)
Version 4010 or Higher - YYYYMMDD
Lower than 4010 - YYMMDD
DTM03 Time 337 TM 4/6
(Not used)
DTM04 Time code 623 ID 2/2
(Not used)
DTM05 Century 624 ID 2/2

N1 Segment: Name - Mandatory

N1*PE*CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY

N1*PR*COMPANY ABC

Element Element Data Data Characters

Seq Name Element Type Min/Max
N101 Entity ID code 98 ID 2/2
(PR=Payor - Mandatory)
(PE=Payee - Optional)
N102 Name 93 AN 1/35
(When N101 = PR
Payor Name should be consistent
in every 820 transmission from the customer to CN)
N103 ID code qualifier 66 ID 1/2
(Not Used)
N104 ID code 67 ID 2/17
(DUNS Number)
N3 Segment: Address Information - Optional

N3*PO BOX 12345

Element Element Data Data Characters

Seq Name Element Type Min/Max
N301 Address 166 AN 1/35
(Street Address)

ENT Segment: Entity - Optional

ENT*1

Element Element Data Data Characters

Seq Name Element Type Min/Max
ENT01 Assigned Number 554 N0 1/6

RMR Segment: Remittance Advice Accounts Receivable Open Item Reference - Mandatory

RMR*IV*12345678**509.24*509.24*0
RMR*IV*12345679**614.8*614.8*0
RMR*IV*12345680**501*501*0

Element Element Data Data Characters

Seq Name Element Type Min/Max
RMR01 Reference no. Qualifier 128 ID 2/2
(IV,CN,OI,FR=CN Invoice Number;
EQ=Equipment Initials & Number;
WY=Waybill Number;
BM=Bill of Lading Number
CM=Credit Memo
RMR02 Reference no. 127 AN 1/30
Note: can use CN Credit Note Number in this field
RMR03 Payment Action Code 482 ID 2/2
(Not used)
RMR04 Monetary Amount 782 R 1/15
(Amount Paid)
Note: Credit amounts must be negative
unless CM qualifier used
RMR05 Total Credit/Debit Amount 777 R 1/15
(Not used)
RMR06 Discounted Amount Taken 780 R 1/15
(Not used currently)
SE Segment: Transaction Set Trailer

SE*22*0372

Element Element Data Data Characters

Seq Name Element Type Min/Max

SE01 Number Of Included Segments 96 N0 1/10

(Includes ST and SE segments)
SE02 Transaction Set Control Number 329 AN 4/9
(Repeated from ST segment ST02)

GE Segment: Functional Group Trailer

GE*1*382

Element Element Data Data Characters

Seq Name Element Type Min/Max

GE01 Number of Transaction Sets Included 97 N0 1/6

GE02 Group Control Number 28 N0 1/9
(Repeated from GS segment GS06)

IEA Segment: Interchange Control Trailer

IEA*1*000000382

Element Element Data Data Characters

Seq Name Element Type Min/Max

IEA01 Number of included Functional Groups I16 N0 1/5

IEA02 Interchange Control Number I12 N0 9/9
(Same number as ISA13)