The Breakdown function is merely a facility whereby the Importer can break down the quantity requested in his own fashion and for his own, and his agent's, reference. Since the column heading of each breakdown information is unique to every order, it is simply a list to which the agent and the importer can refer, and so requires no integration into the database other than as a fixed structure remarks table.

The Importer is not required to complete Breakdown information, and some will choose to ignore it altogether. If it is used, users can apply whatever labels to the first row to identify their shipment, and then on View/Amend, the agent can complete the final column to confirm actual quantities shipped.