Warehouse reference · Receiving & inbound flow
Advance shipment notices
An advance shipment notice, or ASN, describes goods expected from a shipment before they are received. It can include items, quantities, packaging, and shipment references. It is an expectation, not proof that the warehouse has the goods.
How it works in practice
Match the notice to the arriving shipment and verify the attributes your process requires. Preserve differences between expected, arrived, accepted, rejected, and received quantities so discrepancies remain explainable.
A warehouse example
An ASN lists twelve pallets but only eleven arrive. Record the actual arrival and the missing quantity through the agreed discrepancy process instead of confirming the notice unchanged.
Illustrative scenario, not a claim about a client engagement.
What to watch for
A duplicate or revised ASN can create confusion if version and shipment identifiers are not controlled. Decide how corrections affect already-started receiving work.
A useful question
What happens when goods arrive before their electronic notice?
Terminology and configuration differ by product. These notes explain general concepts and are not operating instructions for equipment, a compliance determination, or a replacement for your site’s approved procedures.
Explore deeper articles