EDI 856 Advance Ship Notice

What Is an EDI 856 Advance Ship Notice?

The EDI 856, often called an ASN or advance ship notice, is the electronic document a supplier sends to describe a shipment that is on its way. It tells the retailer what was shipped, how it was packed, and how to identify each carton or pallet when it arrives.

Retailers use the ASN to plan receiving and to match what arrives against what they ordered.

How It Works

An 856 is usually structured in a hierarchy that mirrors the physical shipment:

• Shipment level: carrier, tracking or bill of lading, and ship date.
• Order level: the purchase order number from the 850.
• Pack level: each carton or pallet, usually with a label identifier.
• Item level: the products and quantities in each pack.

Why It Matters for Ecommerce Brands

The ASN is one of the most compliance-sensitive documents in retail. Many retailers expect it to arrive before the shipment and to match the cartons exactly, including the carton labels. A missing, late or inaccurate ASN can lead to slower receiving and chargebacks.

For example, a brand shipping six cartons to a retailer's distribution center would send an ASN listing each carton's label identifier and contents. When the cartons arrive, the DC scans each label and checks it against the ASN, rather than opening every box.

Because the ASN describes physical packing, it depends on accurate warehouse work. Brands need a fulfillment process where what is scanned into each carton is exactly what is reported.