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What Is a National Stock Number (NSN)?

• A National Stock Number, or NSN, is a unique, 13-digit serial number assigned to items regularly traded through the federal supply system, promoting an ease of identification and procurement. As of the present, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the international community have over 8 million active items managed within the NSN system.

Who Uses NSNs?

• NSNs are used by various entities, including U.S. government agencies, NATO members, and global governments. The Department of Defense (DOD) also uses NSNs to a great extent for managing supplies, the system promoting interoperability and supportability of all current and future weapons systems.

What Are the Main Advantages of Using NSNs?

• NSNs offer several benefits to those engaging in procurement, including the quick identification of items for streamlined purchasing, better inventory management, the elimination of duplicates to optimize spending, and improved life cycle management from requisition to disposal.

Why Was the NSN System Created?

• The NSN first came about as an expansion to the Federal Stock Number (FSN), a previous system that was devoid of a national-origin code labeling. NSNs were initially introduced in 1974, serving to standardize the identification of items to deter confusion caused by different names for similar products. They also facilitate more optimal movement of assets between military branches and provide a common language for manufacturers and procuring agencies with the advantage of low ambiguity.

How Is a National Stock Number Formatted?

• An NSN is a 13-digit code consisting of two major segments: the Federal Supply Classification Group (FSCG) and the National Item Identification Number (NIIN). The FSCG makes up the first four digits of the NSN, and it serves to organize related items into a distinct Federal Supply Group (FSG) and a Federal Supply Class (FSC). The NIIN, meanwhile, is split into two sections, those of which are a 2-digit National Codification Bureau (NCB) code that denotes the country that first codified the item and a 7-digit item number that uniquely identifies the item.