If you ship to Amazon, you already know one thing: Amazon doesn’t leave room for guesswork. Every shipment has to arrive with clean data, correct labels, and perfect alignment between what you send and what Amazon receives. That’s where the ASN (Advanced Shipping Notice) comes in.
Your ASN tells Amazon exactly what’s inside your cartons and pallets before they even arrive. It includes PO numbers, SKU-level details, SSCC-18 labels, tracking information, and everything else Amazon needs to prepare for receiving.
When the ASN is accurate, your freight moves quickly through the FC. When it isn’t? Delays, disputes, exceptions, and chargebacks follow, sometimes all at once.
In this guide, we’ll simplify Amazon’s ASN workflow, explain compliance requirements, break down common errors, and share the best practices vendors use to stay penalty-free.
An Advanced Shipping Notice is an electronic document (EDI 856 or Vendor Central ASN form) that describes:
Amazon requires vendors to submit the ASN before the shipment arrives at the fulfillment center, and in many cases before the carrier even picks up the freight, to ensure timely and accurate receiving.
Think of it as your shipment’s “digital blueprint.” Amazon uses this data to:
The SSCC-18 (Serial Shipping Container Code) is an 18-digit identifier Amazon uses to track cartons and pallets throughout the receiving process. Printed as a GS1-128 barcode, it’s scanned at every checkpoint, making it a critical part of accurate ASN-to-carton matching.
Using SSCC-18 labels correctly keeps your shipments flowing smoothly through Amazon’s network and helps prevent avoidable exceptions and chargebacks.
Note: Want to see how ASN processes work at Walmart? Read our full Walmart ASN Guide.
Amazon’s receiving operations rely on barcode automation. Every carton entering an Amazon FC is scanned and matched against the ASN. Any inconsistency triggers an exception.
Missing, late, or inaccurate ASNs are automatically flagged under Amazon’s Receive Process Compliance standards, often resulting in avoidable chargebacks.
If your ASN is inaccurate, you may face:
Operational disruptions
Financial penalties (chargebacks)
Vendor performance impact
Amazon’s supply chain moves fast. A late, missing, or mismatched ASN slows operations and immediately impacts your profit margin.
You can submit ASNs through:
While Amazon supports both manual ASN entry in Vendor Central and automated EDI 856 submissions, high-volume vendors are strongly encouraged, and sometimes required, to transmit ASNs via EDI to maintain compliance and prevent timing-related chargebacks.
Steps:
This method is more labour-intensive and prone to human error.
EDI is Amazon’s preferred method because it reduces entry errors and syncs directly with your ERP/WMS.
A valid EDI 856 contains required segments such as:
To maintain compliance:
EDI mistakes often result in multiple overlapping chargebacks because Amazon cannot accurately interpret the data.
Amazon has specific rules for every vendor shipment. Common requirements include:
SSCC-18 label on every carton
Scannable and unique, linking the physical carton to the ASN.
ASN must match PO exactly
ASN must reflect the correct shipping method
All tracking numbers must be included
Amazon uses this to reconcile delivery data with the ASN.
Pallet structure must match reality (if palletized)
Incorrect pallet-level data often leads to FC receiving exceptions.
Even experienced vendors can be affected by Amazon ASN deductions. Here are the most frequent issues:
1. Carton/SKU mismatch
Units inside the carton don’t match the ASN pack data.
Cause: Poor pick/pack accuracy or incorrect WMS data.
2. Incorrect or missing SSCC labels
Cartons arrive without readable SSCC-18 barcodes.
Cause: Printer errors, duplicate labels, labels falling off, or wrong label placement.
3. ASN submitted late
Amazon receives your shipment before the ASN.
Cause: Carrier pickup before ASN submission or internal delays.
4. Duplicate ASNs
Two ASNs were submitted for the same PO shipment.
Cause: WMS/EDI misconfiguration or human error.
5. Wrong PO linked
Amazon cannot associate the carton with the shipment.
Cause: Wrong PO number or reference mismatch.
6. Incorrect pack structure
Inner packs or units per case do not match the ASN.
Cause: Improper case pack documentation or inconsistent packaging.
Amazon enforces strict compliance. Common ASN-related chargebacks include:
These deductions reduce your margin and often go unnoticed until the weekly or monthly statements.
To minimize impact:
Use these practices to keep your ASN accuracy near 100%:
Standardize your pick/pack workflowEnsure items match PO expectations before sealing cartons.
Generate SSCC labels automaticallyManual label creation introduces duplications and inconsistencies.
Scan and validate each carton before loadingUse handheld scanners or automated systems to verify label accuracy.
Transmit ASNs before the shipment departsLate ASNs are one of the most frequent issues Amazon flags.
Sync EDI with ERP/WMSAvoid human entry errors by connecting systems directly.
Maintain an internal ASN checklistEnsures every PO is validated the same way every time.
|
Step |
Description |
|
✔ |
Verify PO numbers and line items before ASN creation. |
|
✔ |
Confirm SKU/ASIN quantities and case packs. |
|
✔ |
Generate SSCC-18 labels and validate against ASN packs. |
|
✔ |
Scan each carton to ensure data accuracy. |
|
✔ |
Add carrier + tracking data correctly. |
|
✔ |
Submit the ASN before the shipment leaves your dock. |
|
✔ |
Keep confirmation receipts and shipment logs |
This checklist helps reduce errors across operations and supports compliance at scale.
Managing Amazon ASN chargebacks can be stressful, especially when you’re juggling high volumes, carton-level details, and strict SSCC‑18 requirements. That’s where iNymbus makes a difference.
Instead of creating ASNs, iNymbus automatically matches your shipment and ASN data against Amazon’s portal to identify any incorrect or preventable chargebacks. When an invalid deduction is detected, the system prepares and submits accurate dispute claims on your behalf, helping you recover revenue quickly and efficiently.
With iNymbus, your team benefits from:
By ensuring every disputable chargeback is handled promptly and accurately, iNymbus helps vendors protect their margins, reduce manual workload, and maintain better compliance with Amazon’s ASN and receiving rules.
An Amazon ASN is a critical part of the vendor compliance ecosystem. Accurate ASN submissions prevent receiving delays, reduce chargebacks, and protect your profitability.
By understanding Amazon-specific requirements, following best practices, validating carton-level accuracy, and strengthening your workflow, you can significantly improve your vendor performance score and avoid costly deductions.
A digital shipment notification that tells Amazon exactly what items, quantities, and cartons to expect before the shipment arrives.
2] When should I send the ASN?Before the shipment leaves your facility, Amazon must have it before physical delivery.
3] What causes Amazon ASN chargebacks?Data mismatches, missing SSCC-18 labels, incorrect pack structure, late ASNs, or wrong PO information.
4] Does Amazon prefer EDI ASNs?Yes. EDI 856 is Amazon’s preferred format because it reduces the need for manual entry and minimizes submission errors.
5] How can I avoid ASN mismatches?Scan all cartons before shipping, automate SSCC generation, and integrate your systems for accuracy.