UN-LOCODE
UN/LOCODE is the United Nations 5-character code identifying ports, airports, stations and trade locations — defined by UNECE Rec 16.
Definition
UN/LOCODE is the pivot list for international trade routing. Format: 2-letter country (ISO 3166-1) + 3-letter location. The list contains 110,000+ entries, updated twice a year by UNECE with member-state collaboration.
Origin
First published by UN/ECE WP.4 in 1980. Now maintained by UN/CEFACT.
Use
For a Marseille → Hamburg shipment in an EDIFACT IFTMIN: LOC+9+FRMRS:139:6' (Place of loading), LOC+11+DEHAM:139:6' (Place of unloading). Carriers and customs derive the optimal route.