RECEIVING & SHIPMENT DATA
Advance shipping notice (ASN)
An advance shipping notice tells a receiver what a sender expects to ship before the goods arrive. It can describe order references, products, quantities, units and the shipment’s packing structure.
ADVANCE SHIPPING NOTICE IN PRACTICE
- Send the expectationTransmit shipment and packing information.
- Match the arrivalCompare actual loads with the notice.
- Record the receiptConfirm actual quantities and exceptions.
Use the agreed units, actual records and approved procedures for your operation.
A WORKED EXAMPLE
120 expected. 118 physically received.
An ASN describes ten cases containing 12 eaches per case: 120 eaches expected. The receiver counts nine full cases and one case with ten units, totaling 118 eaches. The receipt records the physical quantity and a two-unit discrepancy under the agreed workflow. Treating the ASN quantity as the receipt would overstate stock. Case UPC and unit UPC mappings must also point to the correct packaging levels.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOUR QUOTE
Agree the requirement before comparing quotes
Use the actual shipment, stock and service requirements. Record the billing unit, included work and responsibility for exceptions.
Put this term to work. Use the EDI guide to understand the message flow, then compare retail and EDI-capable 3PLs against your required transactions and exception controls.
A LITTLE MORE CONTEXT
Questions about Advance shipping notice
Is an ASN the same as a purchase order?
No. A purchase order requests goods; an ASN describes an expected shipment against relevant references.
Must an ASN use EDI?
No. EDI is one option; agreed APIs, files or portal submissions can also carry notice data.
Does receiving an ASN make stock available?
No. Availability follows the physical receiving, inspection and release rules of the operation.
Source & example notes
Definition and operational example prepared by 3PL Hub. Examples describe hypothetical requirements; verify the actual records and agreed procedures for your operation.
Quantities, costs and scenarios are illustrative, not operating targets, approved handling instructions or guarantees. Source guidance reviewed 22 October 2026.
Last updated: · 3PL Hub
