997 AK4 ... *373*8: invalid date in your 214
The date on a status event isn't a valid calendar date in the format X12 requires, so the 214 is rejected. It often happens only after the 12th of the month, which is a sign that day and month are swapped.
What you see
AK2*214*0001~ AK3*AT7*6**8~ AK4*5*373*8*20262110~ AK5*R*5~ AK9*R*1*1*0~
Reading it: AK3*AT7*6**8 = the AT7 segment, 6th segment from ST, has data element errors. AK4*5*373*8*20262110 = element position 5 (AT7-05), dictionary element 373 (Date), error code 8 (Invalid Date), and the bad value 20262110.
What it means
Element 373 is a DT (date) element: exactly 8 digits, CCYYMMDD. 20262110 would be month 21, day 10, which doesn't exist. The same rule applies everywhere element 373 is used, for example G62 dates in 204/990/214, B306 and B309 in a 210, and GS04.
Why it happens
- The map uses a DDMM or MMDD picture in the wrong order (CCYYDDMM). It "works" until the day passes 12.
- A 6-digit YYMMDD date (the ISA09 format) is used in an 8-digit field. Translators usually report that as AK4 code 4 (Data element too short).
- Separators are left in (
2026-10-21,10/21/2026), usually reported as code 6 or 8. - An empty or zero date (
00000000) from a status event with no actual time recorded.
The exact fix
- Send the event date as
CCYYMMDD: 4-digit year, then month, then day, with no separators. - If AT7-05 has no real date, don't send the status event until it does. AT7-06 (time) requires AT7-05 (syntax note C0605).
- Correct the event in your TMS, regenerate the 214 with new control numbers, and resend.
Before and after
AT7*X1*NS***20262110*1430*CT~AT7*X1*NS***20261021*1430*CT~X1 = Arrived at Delivery Location. NS = Normal Status.
Stop it happening again
- Format the date from a real date field (
yyyyMMdd), not by joining strings. - Test your 214 map with a date after the 12th of the month, for example the 21st.
- Remember that ISA09 is the only 6-digit date (YYMMDD). GS04 and segment dates are 8 digits.
Not sure this is your error?
Paste your 997, TA1, rejected file, or the broker's error email into the free EDI Reject Checker. It decodes every AK3/AK4/AK5/AK9 and TA1 code and checks counts, control numbers, and dates in seconds. It runs in your browser, so nothing is uploaded.
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References
- AT7 Shipment Status Details, 004010 (AT7-05 element 373 "Date expressed as CCYYMMDD"; note C0605)
- AK4 Data Element Note and element 723, Data Element Syntax Error Code (4, 6, 8)
- 214 Transportation Carrier Shipment Status Message, 004010
- X12, Transaction Sets