EDIFACT RFF segment: reference.

The RFF segment carries a reference number. The qualifier identifies what the reference is. Common qualifiers: ON=order number, DQ=delivery note, BM=bill of lading, AAK=despatch advice, IV=invoice number, VA=VAT/ABN registration number, CT=contract number, VN=vendor's order number. RFF is used at header level (order references) and line level (line-specific references).

Tag: RFF
Full name: Reference
Part of the message: Message header
Data elements: 1

A RFF segment, explained

Hover any part of the segment to see what it is. Open What your system receives to see the JSON or XML CleanEDI delivers.

RFF+ON:PO-2026-12345'
RFFReference
Buyer's order number: PO-2026-12345.
RFF
Reference
ON
Buyer's order number (reference qualifier)
1.1 Reference: Qualifier ONBuyer's order number
1.2 Reference: Number PO-2026-12345
```
{
  "references": {
    "buyersOrderNumber": "PO-2026-12345"
  }
}
```
Example shape. In production the field names and structure follow your own API contract.

RFF structure

Elements are separated by + and their parts by :. Positions match the explainer, so 2.3 is the third part of the second element.

Position	Element	Parts
1	Reference	1.1 Qualifier, 1.2 Number, 1.3 Line number

Reference: Qualifier (1.1)

Code	Meaning
`ON`	Buyer's order number
`VN`	Supplier's order number
`DQ`	Delivery note number
`AAK`	Despatch advice number
`AAU`	Despatch note number
`IV`	Invoice number
`CT`	Contract number
`PL`	Price list number
`LI`	Line item number
`VA`	VAT / ABN registration
`ALO`	Receiving advice number
`CR`	Customer reference
`BM`	Bill of lading number
`API`	Additional party ID

Common EANCOM and UN/EDIFACT values. Your trading partner's implementation guide is the final word on which codes they send.

Questions

RFF segment FAQ

Have a real message with RFF in it? The explainer breaks down every segment and runs in your browser.

Explain my message

What is the RFF segment in EDIFACT?

RFF is the Reference segment. The RFF segment carries a reference number. The qualifier identifies what the reference is. Common qualifiers: ON=order number, DQ=delivery note, BM=bill of lading, AAK=despatch advice, IV=invoice number, VA=VAT/ABN registration number, CT=contract number, VN=vendor's order number. RFF is used at header level (order references) and line level (line-specific references).

What are the common RFF reference: qualifier codes?

ON means buyer's order number; VN means supplier's order number; DQ means delivery note number; AAK means despatch advice number; AAU means despatch note number; IV means invoice number; CT means contract number; PL means price list number.

Where does RFF appear in an EDIFACT message?

RFF belongs to the message header part of a message, alongside UNH, BGM, DTM, FTX.

How do I read a RFF segment in my own message?

Paste the message into the free CleanEDI explainer. It breaks every RFF segment into its elements, translates the codes and shows the JSON and XML your system would receive. Nothing you paste leaves your browser.

1.1	Reference: Qualifier	`ON`Buyer's order number
1.2	Reference: Number	`PO-2026-12345`