EDIFACT DESADV — the electronic dispatch advice (ASN) explained
In short: The EDIFACT DESADV (Despatch Advice) message is the electronic shipment notice: the supplier tells the retailer what's about to arrive — quantities per item, packaging hierarchy (pallet/carton/unit), SSCC-18 codes for each pallet, carrier and waybill number. It is the direct equivalent of X12 856 (ASN).
Key capabilities
- Automatic SSCC-18 generation: EDIconnect generates SSCC-18 for every pallet, compliant with your company's GS1 prefix — ready to print on a GS1-128 label.
- Pallet/carton/unit hierarchy: CPS (packaging sequence) and PAC segments describe exactly what's inside a pallet: how many cartons, which items, what quantity per carton.
- Synced with your WMS: Shipment data comes from your WMS (pick, pack, ship confirm) — nothing is entered manually, DESADV is generated automatically.
- Anti-chargeback time window: Automatic alert if DESADV isn't sent within the retailer's SLA window (typically 2 hours before the truck arrives at the DC).
DESADV and your WMS — the ideal architecture
The most robust architecture: your WMS (Manhattan, Blue Yonder, Körber, HighJump or any regional WMS) runs the pick/pack/ship-confirm process and generates SSCCs as pallets are closed → at ship confirm, data flows into EDIconnect via API → EDIconnect builds a DESADV per retailer, in their exact specification → transmission over AS2/OFTP2 → the retailer receives the DESADV 2-4 hours before the truck arrives.
Without a WMS, EDIconnect offers a web form for manual DESADV entry — suitable for low volumes (under 20 pallets/day).
Frequently asked questions
What is the EDIFACT DESADV message?
DESADV (Despatch Advice) is the EDIFACT message a supplier uses to notify a retailer of an imminent shipment, with details per pallet, carton and unit: SSCCs, GTIN, quantities, dimensions, carrier, and estimated arrival date.
What's the difference between DESADV and ASN?
They're the same concept under different standards: DESADV = EDIFACT (Europe), ASN or EDI 856 = X12 (US). Both carry the same information — what's being shipped, in what packaging, with what identifiers.
What is an SSCC-18?
SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code) is an 18-digit GS1 code that uniquely identifies a pallet or carton worldwide. It's generated from the company's GS1 prefix plus a serial number and a check digit.
Why is DESADV so important?
Without a correct DESADV, the retailer receives goods 'blind' at the distribution center, which means 5-10× longer receiving times and an almost guaranteed chargeback. With a correct DESADV, goods are scanned automatically and invoiced.
Who generates the SSCCs — the supplier or the retailer?
Always the supplier. SSCC is part of the shipper's own GS1 identity. The retailer scans them on receipt and uses them to identify every pallet inside its own DC.