What Is VDA 4984? The DELFOR Delivery Forecast Explained
VDA 4984 is the mirror image of VDA 4987: instead of the supplier announcing a shipment, the customer announces demand. It is the automotive profile of the UN/EDIFACT DELFOR (Delivery Forecast) message - the weekly or daily file by which OEMs and Tier-1s tell their suppliers what to deliver, in what quantity, and by which date.
What the message contains
A DELFOR carries, for each material number, a series of schedule lines: quantity plus required date, each with a type indicator. Typical VDA usage distinguishes firm call-offs from forecast quantities further in the future. Depending on the OEM's guideline you will see document type codes such as 241 (delivery schedule), 236 (pure forecast) or 242 (JIT call-off).
Structure at a glance
| Area | Key segments | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Envelope | UNB/UNZ, UNH/UNT | Interchange and message framing, control numbers |
| Header | BGM, DTM, RFF, NAD | Schedule number, generation/horizon dates, contract references, buyer/seller/ship-to parties |
| Item loop | LIN, PIA, IMD, LOC, RFF | Part number, description, unloading point, order reference |
| Schedule lines | QTY, SCC, DTM | Quantity, schedule type, required date per line |
DELFOR vs DESADV (4984 vs 4987)
| VDA 4984 (DELFOR) | VDA 4987 (DESADV) | |
|---|---|---|
| Direction | Customer → supplier | Supplier → customer |
| Content | Future demand, schedule lines | Actual shipment, packages, weights |
| Trigger | Planning run (daily/weekly) | Every physical shipment |
| Key segments | LIN/QTY/SCC/DTM schedule lines | CPS/PAC packaging hierarchy, MEA weights |
Details that commonly matter
- Date qualifiers: DELFOR uses its own set of DTM qualifiers (e.g.
2requested date,64/158/159horizon dates,137document date) - a DESADV qualifier in a DELFOR file is a red flag. - SCC schedule type tells you whether a quantity is firm or forecast; treating forecast as firm overproduces stock.
- QTY qualifiers distinguish the various quantity roles used per guideline; check the code rather than the position.
- Party roles in DELFOR go beyond BY/SE: ship-to (
ST), ship-from (SF), invoicee (IV) and consignee (CN) appear regularly.
Try it: Paste a VDA 4984 message and check its structure, schedule lines and date formats locally. Open the tool →