The EDI 856 is also known as an EDI Advanced Shipping Notice or EDI ASN is part of Common EDI Transactions and Codes. EDI 856 is usually sent to a vendor as the first step in the ordering process. Once the retailer sends the Purchase Order, the supplier must acknowledge they received the document.  

What does EDI 856 include

• Interchange control header

• Purchase order number

• Carrier information

• SKU, Name and description of products

• Types of packaging

• Tracking numbers

Purchase Order Processing Procedure

In most retail environments, the edi messaging routine is as follows:

1. EDI 850 Purchase Order - receiving EDI Purchase Order from the trading partner.

2. EDI 997 Functional Acknowledgement - send confirmation of receipt of the Purchase Order.

3. EDI 855 Order Acknowledgement –sending a message confirming your agreement to comply with the requirements of the Purchase Order

4. EDI 856 Advanced Shipping Notice – sending a message with delivery information: carrier, delivery date, package, tracking number

5. EDI 810 Invoice – sending an invoice

Specification

"This X12 Transaction Set contains the format and establishes the data contents of the Ship Notice/Manifest Transaction Set (856) for use within the context of an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) environment. The transaction set can be used to list the contents of a shipment of goods as well as additional information relating to the shipment, such as order information, product description, physical characteristics, type of packaging, marking, carrier information, and configuration of goods within the transportation equipment. The transaction set enables the sender to describe the contents and configuration of a shipment in various levels of detail and provides an ordered flexibility to convey information." Stated by x12.org

"The sender of this transaction is the organization responsible for detailing and communicating the contents of a shipment, or shipments, to one or more receivers of the transaction set. The receiver of this transaction set can be any organization having an interest in the contents of a shipment or information about the contents of a shipment." Stated by x12.org

Source: Accredited Standards Committee X12. ASC X12 Standard [Table Data]. Data Interchange Standards Association, Inc., Falls Church, VA. https://x12.org/products/transaction-sets

Example of EDI 856 Advanced Shipping Notice

ISA*00*          *00*          *ZZ*008883494     *ZZ*0044453762      *221031*0958*U*00401*000027660*0*P*<
GS*SH*008883494*0044453762*20221031*0958*2613*X*004010
ST*856*5387
BSN*00*618233393496*20221106*1058
HL*001**S
TD1******G*20*LB
TD5**ZZ*783534138**FedEx Ground
TD3*TL**1
REF*BM*770372526576
DTM*011*20221106*1100
FOB*PO
N1*BY*GRAINGER*92*001
N1*SF*DEMO COMPANY LLC*92*10003761
N3*DEMO STREET*
N4*DEMOCITY*NY*11645*US
N1*ST*DEMO CUSTOMER INC*92*TPSO
N2*DEM ADD INF
N3*1722 Heritage St Ste 156*
N4*Woodland*WA*98655*US
HL*002**I
LIN*00001*CB*88CL30*VN*010020095
SN1**1*EA
PRF*4636610649***20221031
PID*F****Demo item description
CTT*1
SE*24*5387
GE*1*2613
IEA*1*000027660