The 990 is short but essential. It references the shipper’s load tender (EDI 204) by its shipment ID and states whether the carrier accepts or declines the load. An acceptance can include the carrier’s own reference number for the shipment, and a decline may include a reason. It carries no status updates or charges; it only confirms who is moving the freight.
The 990 comes right after the 204 and before anything moves. After acceptance, the carrier’s shipment status (EDI 214) messages track pickup, transit and delivery, and the freight invoice (EDI 210) bills for the move. A decline sends the shipper back to offer the load to another carrier.
Shippers usually expect a 990 within a set window after tendering. When it is late or missing, the shipper doesn’t know whether the load is covered and may have to find capacity at short notice and higher rates, or risk a missed pickup and a late delivery. Tender acceptance, measured from 990 data, is a standard measure when shippers review carrier performance.