What is an ASN?
An ASN (Advance Ship Notice), also called an Advance Shipping Notice, is an electronic document sent from a supplier to a customer before a shipment arrives. It provides detailed information about the shipment contents, enabling the receiver to prepare for receipt.
In EDI (Electronic Data Interchange), the ASN is transmitted as an EDI 856 document.
Information in an ASN
- Shipment date and expected delivery date
- Carrier and tracking information
- Purchase order references
- Item details (SKUs, quantities, descriptions)
- Packaging information (cartons, pallets, weights)
- Serial numbers or lot numbers if applicable
Benefits of ASNs
- Receiving efficiency: Enables pre-planning of labor and dock scheduling
- Inventory visibility: Shows what inventory is in transit
- Reduced errors: Automates data entry and verification
- Faster processing: Speeds up receiving and put-away
- Compliance: Many retailers require ASNs from suppliers
ASN Best Practices
- Send ASN immediately after shipment
- Ensure accuracy of quantities and item details
- Include barcode/label information for scanning
- Match ASN data to physical shipment
- Use standardized formats (EDI 856 or XML)