Definition
The computer-to-computer exchange of standard business documents — orders, invoices, shipping notices, customs declarations — in agreed electronic formats, replacing email attachments and rekeying. Retailers commonly require suppliers to trade via EDI, and shipping lines and SARS both run on it: customs declarations are lodged electronically via EDI to SARS, and ocean carriers exchange booking and manifest data the same way. Fewer keystrokes means fewer errors and faster processing.