Advanced Shipment Notification (ASN)

ASN Fundamentals

Advanced Shipment Notification (ASN) is an electronic document used by vendors to communicate detailed shipment information to Amazon before goods arrive at fulfillment centers. This critical process ensures efficient inventory management, accurate receiving, and smooth supply chain operations.

Purpose: The ASN serves multiple functions:

• Alerts fulfillment centers of incoming shipments
• Provides essential shipment details for processing
• Facilitates efficient inventory management and tracking
• Enables smooth coordination between vendors, carriers, and fulfillment operations
• Prepares receiving teams for shipment arrival

Information Included: A complete ASN typically contains:

• Ship date and estimated delivery date
• Total number of cartons and pallet count
• Shipment type and contents
• Purchase order references
• Unit quantities and product details
• Carrier information and tracking details
• Bill of lading (BOL) references

ASN Process and Requirements

Submission Process: Vendors submit ASNs through Amazon’s Vendor Central platform by:

• Selecting relevant purchase orders and SKUs to ship
• Choosing appropriate labeling methods (AMZNCC or SSCC)
• Entering detailed packing information including units per box, boxes per pallet, and total pallet count
• Providing carrier details and shipment timing
• Verifying all product mappings before confirmation

Timing Requirements: ASNs must be submitted within specified timelines before shipment arrival. This is particularly critical under prepaid freight terms where advance notification is mandatory.

Verification: Before shipment confirmation, vendors must ensure:

• All products are correctly mapped to boxes and pallets
• Purchase order quantities match ASN details
• All required information fields are complete and accurate
• Labeling requirements are properly addressed

ASN Accuracy Standards

ASN Accuracy refers to the precision and completeness of advance shipment notifications submitted by vendors. Accuracy issues arise when:

• Amazon does not receive an ASN before shipment arrival
• The ASN contains invalid, incorrect, or missing information
• Unit counts do not match confirmed purchase order quantities
• Bill of lading references are incorrect or missing
• Submission occurs outside required timelines

Compliance Requirements: Vendors must ensure ASNs:

• Match confirmed purchase order quantities exactly
• Include correct unit counts and product details
• Reference accurate bill of lading information
• Are submitted within specified timeframes
• Contain all mandatory data fields as per Amazon’s vendor policies

Consequences of Inaccuracy: Failure to maintain ASN accuracy can result in:

• Chargebacks and financial penalties
• Processing delays at fulfillment centers
• Non-compliance fees
• Potential impact on vendor performance metrics
• Strained vendor-retailer relationships

ASN Labeling Requirements

ASN Labels are essential components that must be affixed to shipments to ensure efficient processing at fulfillment centers.

Label Components: ASN labels must include:

• ASN/BOL numbers in both text and barcode formats
• Shipment-level identification information
• Scannable barcodes for automated processing
• Clear, readable text for manual verification

Application Requirements:

• Labels must be affixed to each small parcel and pallet
• For pallets, labels should be placed on two sides for scanning efficiency
• Labels must be positioned squarely on pallets for easy access
• Labels should be placed on the outside of any protective plastic wrapping
• All labels must be clearly visible and easily scannable

Label Types: Depending on the shipping method:

• Amazon Container Code (AMZNCC): Generated directly via Vendor Central
• Serialized Ship Container Code (SSCC): Third-party labels requiring manual serial number entry

Single-SKU Pallet Specifications

For shipments involving single-SKU pallets, additional considerations apply:

Labeling Requirements: Vendors must provide both box and pallet labels, ensuring proper identification at multiple levels of the shipment hierarchy.

Process Steps:

1. Generate appropriate container codes through Vendor Central
2. Enter serial numbers for third-party SSCC labels when applicable
3. Access shipment details page for label generation
4. Download mapping data for verification
5. Print all necessary labels before shipment
6. Apply pallet labels to two sides of each pallet

Best Practices and Compliance

Operational Excellence: To maintain high ASN standards:

• Submit ASNs well in advance of shipment arrival
• Double-check all information before submission
• Maintain accurate inventory records for mapping verification
• Follow Amazon’s vendor policies and guidelines strictly
• Monitor ASN accuracy metrics and performance indicators

Supply Chain Efficiency: Proper ASN management contributes to:

• Streamlined receiving processes
• Reduced processing errors
• Improved inventory accuracy
• Enhanced vendor-retailer relationships
• Minimized chargebacks and penalties

Invoice Processing: ASNs are crucial for the invoicing process, as orders must be confirmed and shipped with proper ASN documentation before vendors can proceed to invoice creation, avoiding delays caused by unconfirmed shipments.

By maintaining high ASN accuracy and following proper procedures, vendors ensure smooth operations within Amazon’s fulfillment network while avoiding costly penalties and processing delays.