The X12 name is motor carrier load tender. A shipper, or a broker or 3PL acting for it, uses the 204 to offer a load to a carrier. It carries the shipment ID, the stops in sequence with addresses and appointment windows, weight, piece count and equipment type, special handling needs, and reference numbers such as PO or bill of lading numbers. A 204 can also update or cancel a tender already sent.
The 204 starts the transportation flow. The carrier answers with a response to load tender (EDI 990), accepting or declining the load. Once the freight moves, the carrier sends shipment status (EDI 214) updates and later bills with a freight invoice (EDI 210). On retail orders, the tender may follow routing instructions (EDI 754) when the retailer controls inbound freight.
Tendering problems ripple into service. Wrong addresses or appointment times, missing references or tenders sent too close to pickup lead to rejections and missed pickups. A tender with no response leaves the shipper unsure whether anyone is coming. Shippers often move to a backup carrier when a tender is declined or ignored, so slow responses add cost as well as delay.