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Providing Support to U.S. Military Services and Whole of Government Agencies and our International Partners What is a National Stock Number (NSN)? A National Stock Number (also known as a NATO Stock Number) is simply the official label applied to an item of supply that is repeatedly procured, stocked, stored, issued, and used throughout the federal supply system.

A National Stock Number is the official label applied to each item recurrently used, bought, stocked, or distributed by the Department of Defense (DOD). When a NSN is assigned to an item, data is assembled to describe that item. Some data elements include information such as an item name, manufacturer's part number, unit price, and physical and performance characteristics.

National Stock Number Assignment Process Flow Guide Base/Unit Level Acquisition.

The National Stock Number A National Stock Number (NSN) is simply the official label applied to an item of supply that is repeatedly procured, stocked, stored, issued and used throughout the federal supply system.