Shipping Label

Layout Approach
Zone Definitions
Important Notes

Approach to Layout

The shipping label is composed of different blocks or “zones” in accordance with the recommendations of the Distribution Executives Interest Group, which in turn based its work on the guidelines for the UCC/EAN SSCC Label format.

Specific information is assigned to each zone on the shipping label. The size of the zones, with the exception of certain zones that have mandatory dimensions, can be adjusted to accommodate varying amounts of information. Even when zones are resized, however, the placement of information must remain consistent relative to the information in other zones, allowing for more efficient shipping and receiving. In other words, there is flexibility in placing the information within zones, but the sequence of zones must be preserved.

Some zones are not mandatory for Barnes & Noble but are provided for the use of the supplier or the freight carrier. If these zones are not needed, they may be reduced or eliminated at the option of the supplier. However, if zones are eliminated, the specified sequence of the remaining zones must be preserved.

The recommended minimum label width is 4 inches, and the recommended minimum label length is 6 inches. Compliance with these guidelines can be obtained within a 4-inch width. The length of the label can be held to no more than 6 inches when there are minimum information requirements for supplier or for carrier handling. When there is a requirement for this information, holding the length of the label to 6 inches may not always be possible. A label longer than 6 inches is acceptable, as long as the sequence of zones on the label as specified in these guidelines and the label placement are maintained.

All bar coded information is to be encoded in accordance with UCC/EAN-128 symbology specifi-cations. In keeping with these specifications, all bar codes other than the bar code containing the SSCC must be at least 0.5 inch high, although a height of 0.75 inch is strongly preferred. A minimum ‘X' dimension of 0.015 inch (15 mils) is required, to support high-speed scanning.

The SSCC bar code must be at least 1.25 inches high, and the minimum ‘X' dimension of the symbol must be 0.020 inch (20 mils).

The “quiet zone” or white space preceding and following each bar code is to be at least 0.25 inch wide.

Zone Definitions

Zone	Description	Information	Size	For Compliance
A	Ship From	Always contains the Shipper name and address.	Height: 1.0” ± .2” Width: 1.25”	Mandatory
B	Ship To	Always contains the name and address of the Barnes & Noble location receiving the shipment.	Height: 1.0” ± .2” Width: 2.75”	Mandatory
C	Carrier Routing Bar-Code Segment	Bar-coded carrier information determined by carrier.	Height: 1.0” ± .2” Width: Minimum of 2.5”, allowing for Zone D to appear next to Zone C or 4.0” to accommodate longer or multiple bar codes, moving Zone D directly below Zone C.	If required by carrier Supplier and carrier determine need (if any) and requirements. Zone C may be omitted if not required by supplier.
D	Carrier Text Segment	Carrier Name, SCAC Code, Pro Number, Trailer Number, Class of Service or other information required by the carrier to deliver the shipment.	Height: 1.0” ± .2” Width: 1.5” when used on the same plane as Zone C or up to 4.0” when used below Zone C.	If required by carrier Supplier and carrier determine need (if any) and requirements. Zone D may be omitted if not required by supplier.
E	Customer Segment	Package Identifier and Purchase Order Number. The two elements of data are concatenated; Package Identifier precedes Purchase Order Number.	Height: 1.0” ± .2” Width: 4.0”.	Mandatory
F	Supplier Segment	Information for the internal use of the supplier, such as Waves, Deliveries, Dock Floor Spots, Carton Counts.	Height: 1.0” ± .2” Width: 4.0”.	If required by supplier Supplier determines need (if any) and requirements Zone F may be omitted if not required by supplier.
G	Final Destination Code	The barcoded Ship-to SAN of the final Barnes & Noble destination.	Height 1.0” ± .2” Width: 4.0.	Mandatory for Common Carrier freight
H	Final Destination Text	Not used by Barnes & Noble. Combined with Zone G to provide full width of label.	Combined with Zone G	Required only in that it enables full width of label to be used for Zone G.
I	SSCC Bar Code or text “ASN NOT SENT ”	Carton Identifier or License Plate that provides link to ASN data. Minimum height for bar code must be 1.25”.	Height: 2.0” Width: 4.0” The height may be reduced if Zone F is required by the supplier and no ASN is sent.	Mandatory

Important Notes

The topics covered on this page are critically important.

Indication of Mixed Purchase Orders within a Carton

Under certain circumstances as specified in the purchasing arrangement with its vendors, Barnes & Noble permits the mixing of items from more than one purchase order within a carton. When this is permitted and a vendor has included items from more than one purchase order, the value of nine ‘9s' (999999999) is always to be used in the Purchase Order Number field on the Shipping Label.

Providing a means of indicating mixed purchase orders within a carton does not authorize mixing; authorization can only be done in the purchasing arrangement.

Human Readable Purchase Order Number

In order to facilitate accurate stock receiving when Barnes & Noble staff utilizes the human-readable Purchase Order Number, this number must be printed in a 12 point sans serif font.

Advance Ship Notice

It is a Barnes & Noble objective that an electronic Advance Ship Notice (ASN) precede all shipments to our distribution facilities. Until a vendor has the capability to send ASNs, Barnes & Noble will continue to accept shipments without this information.

However, as shown in the examples, all shipping labels must carry either the bar coded SSCC (carton “license plate number”) corresponding to data in the ASN or the wording “ASN NOT SENT” if an ASN has not been provided.

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