What is ASN (Advance Shipping Notice)?
An ASN is an electronic notification sent by a supplier ahead of a shipment, detailing its contents, packaging, and expected delivery.
Definition
An Advance Shipping Notice (ASN) is a document, usually transmitted via EDI, that a supplier sends before goods arrive to inform the buyer exactly what is being shipped and how. It typically includes purchase order references, item numbers, quantities, carton and pallet structure, tracking numbers, and expected delivery dates. The ASN lets the receiving warehouse prepare labor, dock space, and putaway in advance and enables faster, more accurate receiving. In many retail and manufacturing supply chains, accurate ASNs are a mandatory supplier compliance requirement.
How ASN Works in ERP
ERP and WMS systems ingest inbound ASNs (commonly EDI 856 messages) and create expected receipt records linked to the original purchase order. At the dock, workers scan carton or pallet labels to confirm receipt against the ASN, which speeds putaway and flags discrepancies automatically. Outbound, the system can generate ASNs to customers as goods ship, supporting scan-based receiving and compliance with retailer mandates.
ERP Vendors with Strong ASN
Oracle NetSuite
The original cloud ERP — built for fast-growing companies
Infor M3
Process manufacturing ERP for food, chemicals, and pharma
SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud
Fully customisable managed-cloud ERP for complex enterprises
Epicor Prophet 21
Distribution-focused ERP with deep wholesale features
Frequently Asked Questions
Which EDI transaction is used for an ASN?
In the ANSI X12 standard, the ASN is the 856 transaction set; the EDIFACT equivalent is the DESADV message. These messages convey the shipment hierarchy from pallet down to item, often paired with GS1 barcode labels such as the SSCC. Buyers use them to drive scan-based receiving.
Why do retailers penalize inaccurate ASNs?
Large retailers rely on ASNs to automate receiving and route product quickly through cross-dock and distribution networks. An inaccurate or late ASN breaks that automation and forces costly manual handling, so retailers often levy chargebacks for non-compliance. Suppliers therefore invest in tight integration between their ERP, WMS, and EDI systems to keep ASNs accurate.