Application Identifier (AI) 401 specifies a consignment number. A shipment consisting of multiple units may be assigned a consignment number to identify the entire shipment. The consignment number is assigned by the carrier, freight forwarder, or similar party. The consignment number must always begin with the GS1 Company Prefix and the company reference number of the organisation administering the number. The consignment number may change at each stage of transport, whereas AI 402 (GSIN) remains the same for the entire shipment.
Typically, AI 401 represents the House Bill of Lading number (House Waybill number).