The EDI 856 transaction, also known as the Advance Ship Notice (ASN), is used by suppliers to notify buyers or trading partners about the pending shipment of goods. It provides detailed information about the contents of the shipment, including item descriptions, quantities, packaging details, and shipment dates.

For suppliers, the EDI 856 transaction helps streamline shipping processes, improve inventory management, and enhance visibility into the supply chain. For buyers, it enables better planning for receiving and inventory management, reduces manual data entry errors, and facilitates faster processing of incoming shipments.

An EDI 856 transaction typically includes information such as the sender and receiver details, shipment identification numbers, itemized lists of products or items being shipped (including quantities, descriptions, and identifiers), packaging details (such as carton and pallet counts), carrier information, and estimated arrival dates.

By providing detailed advance information about incoming shipments, the EDI 856 transaction enables buyers to reconcile received goods against purchase orders more accurately, anticipate deliveries, and plan for efficient warehouse operations. This reduces the likelihood of discrepancies, delays, and errors in order processing and improves overall supply chain efficiency.

Suppliers should establish clear processes for generating and transmitting EDI 856 transactions, including validating shipment data against purchase orders, adhering to EDI standards such as ANSI X12 or EDIFACT, and coordinating with carriers to ensure accurate and timely transmission of shipment information. Additionally, suppliers should conduct regular testing and monitoring to identify and address any issues that may arise during the implementation process.