Last updated: 3 August 2026
An EDI mailbox is a file storage area within a computer which can be uniquely identified from connected mailboxes and VANs in other locations, and where EDI messages are consolidated and stored for retrieval by a vendor or supplier. EDI mail is routed into this mailbox by the VAN or EDI network, where it is held until the recipient retrieves and processes it.
How an EDI Mailbox Works
Most EDI still flows through an EDI VAN (Value Added Network). Despite the emergence of lower-cost options such as Web EDI or AS2 connections, the VAN model remains the preferred approach, largely because of the managed services and reliability that VAN providers offer. Many businesses adopt a hybrid strategy, deploying different connection types depending on the trading partner, but the EDI VAN typically sits at the centre of these deployments.
Accessing Your EDI Mailbox
Once EDI mail arrives in the mailbox, the vendor or supplier retrieves it via an EDI translator, installed locally or accessed through a cloud portal, which converts the raw EDI data into a usable format for their business system.