In this article, we cover:
What an Amazon ASN is and how it works
What information Amazon requires in an ASN
How to submit an ASN through Vendor Central or EDI 856
An Amazon advanced shipment notice (ASN) is an electronic document that vendors send to Amazon before a shipment arrives at a fulfillment center. Think of it as a digital heads-up that tells Amazon exactly what's on the way, how it's packaged, which carrier is transporting it, and when it is expected to arrive.
That information allows Amazon to prepare for incoming inventory before the shipment reaches the dock. Fulfillment center teams are then able to schedule appointments, allocate labor, and verify purchase orders in advance, helping inventory move through receiving more efficiently.
Amazon requires an ASN for every shipment, regardless of size, carrier, or freight method. Missing, late, or inaccurate ASNs often create receiving delays, trigger compliance violations, and lead to chargebacks. For vendors looking to improve compliance and keep products flowing through the supply chain, ASN accuracy is one of the most important operational disciplines to get right.
Why ASNs Matter in the Amazon Fulfillment Process
Before a truck arrives at an Amazon fulfillment center, Amazon needs to know the details about what's coming:
How many units are on the shipment?
How are they packaged?
Does the shipment match the purchase order?
Which carrier is responsible for delivery?
The ASN answers all those questions in a single transmission.
When ASNs are accurate, Amazon can schedule receiving appointments, allocate labor, and prepare storage locations before inventory arrives. That preparation helps shorten the time between delivery and inventory availability while improving inventory forecasting and planning.
Accurate ASNs also play a direct role in vendor compliance. According to benchmarking data from Cleveland Research Company, ASN-related issues account for approximately 24% of Amazon compliance chargebacks, making them one of the largest sources of preventable deductions for vendors. Even small discrepancies can create receiving exceptions that lead to chargebacks, delayed inventory availability, and unnecessary disputes.
Related Reading: ASN Accuracy with Walmart and Amazon
The Five Ways ASNs Support Amazon's Receiving Process
Shipment Visibility
The ASN provides detailed information about shipment quantities, weights, dimensions, and packaging configurations. This gives Amazon a clear expectation of what should arrive and creates a reference point if discrepancies occur during receiving.
Delivery Coordination
Because the ASN includes carrier information and expected arrival details, Amazon can schedule dock appointments and staff fulfillment centers accordingly rather than reacting to unexpected arrivals.
Order Verification
ASNs allow Amazon to compare incoming inventory against the original purchase order before products are received. Any discrepancies can be identified early, reducing delays and disputes.
Inventory Management
Advance shipment information helps Amazon determine where inventory should be stored and how fulfillment center space should be allocated, supporting faster putaway and more accurate inventory availability.
Compliance and Documentation
ASNs contain important shipment documentation, including bills of lading, carrier identifiers, and tracking information. This creates a clear audit trail that can help resolve receiving disputes and support compliance requirements.
What an ASN Contains
At its core, an ASN follows the very same structure as the physical shipment itself.
The shipment header identifies the vendor, purchase order number(s), ship date, and carrier information.
Below the header, line-item details specify each product being shipped, including quantities and product identifiers like the Universal Product Code (UPC) or Amazon Standard Identification Number (ASIN).
Carton and pallet details then map those products to specific handling units, each typically identified by a GS1-128 barcode. Finally, carrier records contain information such as the PRO number, bill of lading (BOL), and trailer or container identification.
This hierarchy allows Amazon's receiving systems to quickly validate incoming freight. In many cases, a single scan can reconcile an entire pallet or carton against the expected ASN data, helping reduce manual processing and receiving delays.
Required for Every Shipment
Amazon requires ASNs for all vendor shipment types, including:
Small parcel shipments sent through carriers such as UPS or FedEx
Less-than-Truckload (LTL) shipments
Full Truckload (FTL) shipments
Amazon's submission requirements are strict. For example, vendors must submit the ASN within 24 hours of carrier handoff or at least four hours before the shipment arrives at the fulfillment center, whichever occurs first.
Because late or missing ASNs are a common source of compliance deductions, many vendors build ASN creation directly into their shipping workflow rather than treating it as a separate administrative task.
Two Ways to Create and Submit an Amazon ASN
Vendors can submit ASNs through Amazon Vendor Central or electronically through an EDI 856 transaction. The best approach depends on shipment volume, internal processes, and the level of automation required.
How to Create an ASN in Vendor Central
Vendor Central provides a manual method for creating and submitting ASNs. It is often used by lower-volume vendors or for occasional shipments that do not justify a fully automated EDI process.
Step 1: Navigate to the Shipments Module
Log in to Vendor Central, select Orders, and then choose Shipments. From there, select Create Shipment to begin building a new ASN.
Step 2: Select the Purchase Order
Choose the purchase order being fulfilled and verify the line items included in the shipment. Multiple purchase orders can typically be combined into a single ASN when shipping together.
Step 3: Enter Shipment Information
Provide the ship date, carrier name, shipment method, and applicable tracking details, including PRO numbers, BOL numbers, or trailer information.
Step 4: Add Carton and Item Details
Enter carton or pallet counts, dimensions, weights, and product contents. If GS1-128 labels are being used, include the SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code) associated with each handling unit.
Step 5: Review and Submit
Vendor Central validates the ASN against the purchase order before submission. Review any warnings or discrepancies, make corrections if necessary, and submit the ASN for processing.
Submitting an ASN Through EDI 856
For vendors shipping at scale, the EDI 856 transaction is typically the preferred method.
The EDI 856 is the standardized electronic version of an Advanced Shipment Notice. Rather than manually entering shipment information into Vendor Central, shipment data is automatically generated by an ERP, warehouse management system, or EDI platform and transmitted directly to Amazon.
Once an EDI connection is established, the ASN can be created automatically when freight is handed off to the carrier. This reduces manual work, improves consistency, and significantly lowers the risk of data-entry errors.
For vendors managing large shipment volumes or shipping to multiple Amazon fulfillment centers, EDI automation often becomes essential for maintaining compliance and operational efficiency.
Related Reading: A User’s Guide to Vendor Central
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Amazon ASN?
An Amazon ASN is an electronic document vendors send to Amazon before a shipment arrives at a fulfillment center. It details what's being shipped, how it's packaged, which carrier is handling it, and when it's expected to arrive, giving Amazon time to prepare for receiving.
When does an Amazon ASN need to be submitted?
Amazon requires vendors to submit an ASN within 24 hours of carrier handoff or at least four hours before the shipment reaches the fulfillment center, whichever comes first. Submitting late is one of the most common triggers for ASN-related chargebacks, as is failing to submit one at all.
What happens if an Amazon ASN is missing or inaccurate?
Missing or inaccurate ASNs can cause receiving delays, inventory discrepancies, and compliance chargebacks. Amazon may be unable to match incoming freight to a purchase order, which stalls inventory availability and creates disputes that take time and documentation to resolve.
What is an EDI 856, and how does it relate to an Amazon ASN?
An EDI 856 is the standardized electronic transaction used to submit an ASN automatically. Instead of manually entering shipment data in Vendor Central, vendors use an EDI solution, ERP, or warehouse management system to generate and transmit the ASN directly to Amazon at the time of carrier handoff.
The Bottom Line
ASNs may seem like a routine shipping requirement, but they play a critical role in Amazon's receiving process. A well-structured ASN helps Amazon prepare for incoming inventory, receive products faster, and accurately match shipments against purchase orders.
More importantly, ASN accuracy directly impacts vendor performance. Late, missing, or inaccurate ASNs can lead to receiving delays, inventory discrepancies, and chargebacks that erode profitability over time.
Whether you're building ASNs manually in Vendor Central or ready to automate through EDI 856, SPS Commerce can help you set up a workflow that's accurate, timely, and built for scale.