Costco EDI Requirements
Costco runs on the older ANSI X12 v4010 and a depot/cross-dock model, which makes ASN timing especially critical. SPS Commerce is Costco’s designated onboarding partner — new suppliers register through SPS regardless of their own provider. Costco.com e-commerce operates as a separate trading-partner profile.
Required EDI documents
| Document | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EDI 850 | Purchase Order | |
| EDI 855 | PO Acknowledgment | expected (varies by guide) |
| EDI 856 | Advance Ship Notice (ASN) | most compliance-sensitive |
| EDI 810 | Invoice | |
| EDI 846 | Inventory Advice | optional |
| EDI 852 | Product Activity Data | optional |
| EDI 860 | PO Change | optional |
| EDI 864 | Text Message / Warehouse Listing | warehouse profile |
| EDI 997 | Functional Acknowledgment |
Labeling & packaging
- GS1-128 carton/pallet labels with a valid SSCC-18 matching the 856 (vendor #, PO #, UPC/GTIN, qty, weight, ship-to + location, carton X-of-Y).
- Reported pallet specs: max height ~58" incl. pallet, max load ~2,500 lbs, hand-lifted cartons ≤50 lbs; approved pallets iGPS, PECO, or CHEP US Block (GMA #1 stringer not accepted).
Connection & portal
- AS2, SFTP, HTTPS (and API per some profiles); VAN supported. No dial-up/plain FTP.
- SPS Commerce is Costco’s designated onboarding partner/VAN — all new suppliers register through SPS.
Onboarding & testing
Mandatory pre-qualification testing of the 850/856/810 plus GS1-128 label validation (reported ~3 rounds). Certification ~1–3 weeks; total onboarding reported ~3–8 weeks.
Compliance & chargebacks
- • Reported (third-party) penalties: inaccurate/late ASN ~$50–$200/incident; data mismatch ~1–3% of PO value; incorrect GS1-128 labeling ~$50–$150/carton; non-compliant packaging ~2% deduction. No public Costco fee schedule.
- • Depot/cross-dock model: the 856 must arrive before the truck reaches the dock (best practice 2–4 hours before pickup).
Worth knowing
- • Costco still uses X12 v4010 — older than most retailers.
- • Costco.com e-commerce is a separate trading-partner profile (different ISA ID) with its own requirements and dropship options.
How EndlessEDI helps with Costco
EndlessEDI supports Costco’s v4010 maps and builds depot-ready 856s with matching SSCC labels timed to the cross-dock, and can onboard through SPS where required.
Explore EndlessEDICostco EDI FAQ
What EDI version does Costco use?
Costco uses the older ANSI X12 v4010, with an “Enterprise 856 v4010” hierarchical ASN mapping. Costco.com e-commerce uses a separate trading-partner profile.
Do I have to use SPS Commerce for Costco EDI?
SPS Commerce is Costco’s designated onboarding partner, so new suppliers register through SPS — but you can connect via your own provider that interconnects with it. Endless can interoperate with SPS.
Why is ASN timing so important for Costco?
Costco’s depot/cross-dock model means goods move quickly through the DC, so the 856 must arrive before the truck reaches the dock — best practice is 2–4 hours before pickup.
EDI requirements and penalty schedules change and vary by program. Figures marked “reported” come from third-party sources, not the retailer’s published fee schedule — always confirm against the retailer’s current routing guide and your vendor agreement.
