Accurate ASNs help avoid costly chargebacks due to packaging errors, labeling, quantity mismatches, and other discrepancies.
Overview
Amazon imposes ASN-related chargebacks when shipments fail to meet strict operational standards. These errors disrupt FC workflows and customer promises, triggering financial penalties.
ASN-related chargebacks live under the umbrella of “Receiving Accuracy,” along with labeling compliance.
Common ASN violations include:
- Multiple Submitted ASNs: More than 1 ASN on the same pallet or box. Shipments can have multiple ASNs as long as there is only 1 ASN assigned to each pallet or box.
- Late ASN: The ASN was not sent before shipment arrival at the fulfillment center. For Amazon Fresh shipments, it is best to use your appointment reference number instead of an inbound shipment delivery number. Do not add PO numbers to Fresh shipments. Only add progressive rotating order (PRO) or bill of lading (BOL) numbers.
- Pending ASN Submission: An ASN is left in draft status. In this case, the ASN is not submitted after creation.
- ASN Structure Mismatch: The ASN structure (SOPI, SOTI, SOPTI) doesn't match the physical items received at the fulfillment center. The specifications package is the best place to find the best format for your shipment. List pallet SSCC labels in the "Tare" loop and package SSCC labels in the 'P' package loop. Add Retail X12 856 (ASN) to the specification package.
- Missing Expiration Date (if applicable)
- Expiration date less than 30 days from ASN creation
- Expiration Date Is Too Close To Expiry: These are sent when the expiration date falls between 30 and 90 days from ASN creation.
- Expiration Date Is Too Far In The Future: These are sent for expiration dates that are 3 or more years (1,095 days) for Grocery, Pantry, Drugstore, Sports, SDP Miscellaneous, Office Products, Lawn and Garden, and Outdoors. They are also sent for expiration dates that are 5 or more years (1,825 days) for Baby, BISS, Kitchen, Health and Personal Care, Personal Care Appliances, Pet Supplies, Tools & Building Supplies, Home, Home Improvement, Beauty, and Luxury Beauty
- Pallet/Box Scannable Label Does Not Match ASN: The label information doesn't match the ASN SKU due to typos or missing characters.
- Missing ASN: No ASN was received for the shipment. These can also be triggered when the content label information is missing from the ASN.
Amazon evaluates ASN accuracy over a rolling six-week period. Fees are tiered based on compliance rates and are applied to the cost of goods, not retail price, and can significantly erode margins if left unchecked.
