EDI 856: The Advance Ship Notice (ASN), Explained
The EDI 856 is the Advance Ship Notice, usually called the ASN. The supplier sends it when goods ship, so the buyer knows exactly what is coming, how it is packed, and when it will arrive — before the truck shows up at the dock.
Why the ASN matters
A good ASN lets a warehouse receive a shipment quickly: staff can pre-stage, scan packages against the notice, and flag discrepancies immediately. Many large retailers fine suppliers for late or inaccurate ASNs because they disrupt receiving.
The hierarchical structure
What makes the 856 different from most transactions is its HL (hierarchical level) loops. The ASN describes a nested structure, typically:
- Shipment — the whole load
- Order — each PO within the shipment
- Pack — cartons or pallets
- Item — the products inside
Each level is an HL segment that points back to its parent, building a tree.
Key segments
BSN — Beginning Segment for Ship Notice
Carries the shipment identifier and date/time. BSN*00*SHIP12345*20240220*1430.
HL — Hierarchical Level
HL*1**S starts a shipment level; HL*2*1*O is an order whose parent is level 1; and so on for pack (P) and item (I).
TD1 / TD5 — Carrier and packaging
Carrier details, routing, and how many packages.
SN1 — Item Detail
Quantity shipped for each item. SN1**100*EA = 100 each shipped.
The 856's nesting is hard to read by eye. Paste it into the viewer and see the structure and quantities laid out clearly. Nothing is uploaded.
Open the X12 viewer