Last updated: 3 August 2026
What Does ASN Stand For?
In shipping and logistics, ASN meaning is straightforward: it stands for Advance Shipping Notice.
In practice, an Advance Shipping Notice is sent by a supplier or third-party logistics company shortly before despatch, giving buyers time to prepare their goods-receiving process and reduce delays at the warehouse.
ASN stands for “Advance Shipping Notice.” It is a notification of an upcoming delivery and is most commonly sent electronically via EDI. The buyer often requests it as part of its trading or EDI requirements. An advanced shipping notice is sent directly before the shipment from a supplier or third-party logistics company to a buyer to improve the efficiency of the goods-receiving process.
ASN Meaning in Logistics and Supply Chain
Understanding what is ASN in shipping is particularly important for suppliers working with large retailers, who often mandate ASN submission as part of their EDI compliance requirements.
ASN Standards: EDI 856 and DESADV
An Advanced Shipping Notice is referred to by various terms depending on the EDI standard used. The terminology varies by EDI standard: in GS1 EANCOM it is called the DESADV (Despatch Advice Message), while in ANSI X12 it is called the EDI 856 Advance Ship Notice, sometimes called a Ship Notice/Manifest.