UIC Leaflet 920-10: Standard Numerical Coding of Customers and Locations

What is UIC Leaflet 920-10?

UIC Leaflet 920-10 is a fundamental standard for Information Technology in the rail sector, titled “Standard numerical coding of customers.” In the complex ecosystem of international Freight Traffic, thousands of companies ship goods across multiple borders. For digital systems to track these shipments, every participant must have a unique, unambiguous “ID card.”

This leaflet provides the structure for the numerical codes that identify customers (shippers and consignees) and specific geographic locations (loading points). It is the backbone of Interoperability for administrative and commercial data exchange.

Structure of the Coding System

The coding system defined in UIC 920-10 is designed to be machine-readable and globally unique. The code typically consists of:

• Country Code: A prefix (consistent with ISO standards) identifying the country where the customer is registered.
• Customer Identification Number: A unique sequence assigned to the specific legal entity or subsidiary.
• Check Digit: A calculated number at the end of the code used to verify the integrity of the data during Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).

Role in Logistics and TAF TSI

The data standards in UIC 920-10 are critical for the implementation of the TAF TSI (Technical Specification for Interoperability relating to Telematics Applications for Freight). By using standardized codes, railway undertakings can achieve:

• Automated Billing: Ensuring that invoices are sent to the correct legal entity without manual intervention.
• Real-time Tracking: Enabling Logistics Management systems to identify exactly who owns the cargo and where it is supposed to be delivered.
• Customs Efficiency: Standardized codes allow customs authorities to quickly verify the parties involved in Combined Transport, speeding up border crossings.

Location and Loading Point Identification

While primarily focused on customers, the leaflet interacts with other 920-series standards to define loading points. This ensures that a “Loading Dock A” in a massive industrial complex has a specific numerical address that a locomotive’s onboard computer or a central dispatcher’s system can recognize.

Comparison: Manual Entry vs. UIC 920-10 Standardized Coding