What is an ASN?
An ASN gives the receiving team advance visibility, so goods can be checked in quickly and matched to the order before the truck reaches the dock. Suppliers send it through electronic data interchange (EDI), most often as the EDI 856 transaction. That early view means no surprises at the receiving dock and fewer errors during check-in. For a closer look, read EDI 856 explained.
Key characteristics
- Sent before arrival: transmitted electronically once the shipment leaves the supplier, ahead of the physical goods.
- Standard EDI 856 format: built on the ANSI X12 standard transaction set used for an ASN.
- Detailed contents: a purchase order (PO) reference, product descriptions, quantities, carton and pallet breakdown, carrier, and estimated delivery time.
- Scan-and-verify ready: carton identifiers let receiving staff scan and match each unit against the notice, which pairs well with barcode scanning for receiving.
- Matched to the order: listed items are reconciled against the automated purchase orders they reference.
Example
A fastener supplier ships 40 cartons of bolts and screws to a regional distributor. The ASN lands first, listing the PO number, each carton, the SKUs inside, quantities, and the expected arrival time. Receiving then scans every carton against the notice and books the shipment in without hand-counting each box. Learn about more advance shipping notice benefits.
Related terms
- Order management workflow
- Warehouse management strategies
- EDI 856
- Packing list
FAQ
What is the difference between an ASN and a packing list?
A packing list travels inside or alongside the shipment, while an ASN is sent electronically ahead of it so the receiving team can prepare before goods arrive.
Is an ASN the same as EDI 856?
EDI 856 is the standard electronic format that most ASNs use, but the ASN is the notice itself.
Why do retailers require ASNs?
Retailers rely on ASNs to speed up receiving and improve inventory accuracy, which matters when 78% of retailers deal with inventory inaccuracies on a weekly or monthly basis (IHL Group, 2026).