According to official GS1 standards, although both Application Identifiers use the 13-digit GLN (Global Location Number), their purposes and semantics are completely different:
AI 414: Physical Location
Definition: Identifies a physical location – Global Location Number (GLN).
Core Purpose:
- Answers the “Where” question.
- Used for marking physical locations, such as dock doors, warehouse storage locations, etc.
- Only allowed for location marking.
Technical Parameters:
- Format: N3+N13 (3-digit AI + 13-digit GLN)
- Data Title: LOC No.
- FNC1 separator not required
- Regular Expression:
\d{13}
Application Scenario Examples:
- Labeling a specific storage bin in a warehouse
- Marking a location on a dock loading door
- Identifying a specific physical delivery point
👤 AI 417: Party Identification (Party GLN)
Definition: Party Global Location Number.
Core Purpose:
- Answers the “Who” question.
- Identifies legal entities, companies, or organizations (parties) in a transaction.
- Used to identify the subject identity in supply chain transactions.
Technical Parameters:
- Format: N3+N13 (3-digit AI + 13-digit GLN)
- Data Title: PARTY
- FNC1 separator not required
- Can serve as the Primary Key in a GS1 Digital Link URI
Application Scenario Examples:
- Identifying the company identity of a buyer/seller
- Identifying the invoicing party on an electronic invoice
- Identifying a party in the GDSN (Global Data Synchronisation Network)
- Identity authentication in supply chain master data synchronization
Comparison Summary Table
| Comparison Dimension | AI 414 | AI 417 |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Physical Location GLN | Party GLN |
| Chinese Name | 物理位置码 (Physical Location Code) | 参与方全球位置码 (Party Global Location Code) |
| Core Question | Where | Who |
| Identification Object | Physical locations, facilities | Legal entities, organizations |
| Typical Application | Warehouse bins, dock doors | Buyer/seller identity, invoice header |
| Usage Restriction | Only allowed for physical location marking | Used for transaction party identification |
| Data Title | LOC No. | PARTY |
| GS1 Digital Link | Can serve as Primary Key | Can serve as Primary Key |
💡 Practical Usage Recommendations
When to use AI 414?
- When you need to mark a specific location in a physical space.
- Example: Identifying shelf “A-01-03” in a warehouse management system.
When to use AI 417?
- When you need to identify a party (company/organization) in a business process.
- Example: Identifying the supplier’s identity on a purchase order.
Important Note:
A GLN can be used to identify both locations and parties, but the correct AI prefix must be used to ensure the scanning system understands the meaning of the GLN. Confusing the two will lead to supply chain data chaos and business errors.
Related AI Family
GS1 also defines other GLN-related Application Identifiers:
- AI 410: Ship to / Deliver to
- AI 411: Invoice to
- AI 412: Purchased from
- AI 413: Ship for / Deliver for / Forward to
- AI 415: Invoicing Party GLN
- AI 416: Production/Service Location GLN
These AIs together form a complete GLN application system, covering various location and party identification needs across the supply chain.