KeHE Distributors EDI Requirements
KeHE is a major natural/specialty/fresh distributor (B Corp, ~19 DCs). It tightened its EDI program in 2025 around a core set of documents, requires suppliers to onboard via SPS Commerce, and routes all transactions and disputes through the mandatory KeHE CONNECT supplier portal.
Required EDI documents
| Document | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EDI 850 | Purchase Order | |
| EDI 860 | PO Change | |
| EDI 855 | PO Acknowledgment | |
| EDI 856 | Advance Ship Notice (ASN) | most compliance-sensitive |
| EDI 810 | Invoice | |
| EDI 820 | Remittance | maps consolidated payments to invoices |
| EDI 846 | Inventory Advice | used |
| EDI 852 | Product Activity Data | used |
| EDI 997 | Functional Acknowledgment |
Labeling & packaging
- Per the 2025 Inbound Routing Guide, every outer case needs a scannable ITF-14 case GTIN or GS1-128 — KeHE prefers GS1-128 (carries expiration + lot).
- SSCC-18 (in GS1-128) on pallet labels must match the 856 exactly. The guide also covers BOLs, packing lists, temperature control, and pallet requirements.
Connection & portal
- AS2, SFTP, and VAN; suppliers are required to subscribe to KeHE’s data-exchange provider, SPS Commerce, which leads onboarding.
- KeHE CONNECT Supplier portal is mandatory — as of 2025 all transactions and disputes flow through it (email no longer accepted). K-Solve is the dispute/deduction tool.
Onboarding & testing
The KeHE EDI team and SPS set protocols and run test exchanges with a customized test data set, then mark you production-ready. Timelines follow SPS general figures rather than a published KeHE SLA.
Compliance & chargebacks
- • Inbound fill rate 98% required; below threshold is reported as a 3% fee on the value of shorted product. Reported examples: missing packing slip ~$100, missing pallet sticker ~$250.
- • An “extra performance” (EP) processing fee is reported at 8% ($35 min / $700 max). On-time fines are reported as billed quarterly.
Worth knowing
- • B Corp; ~19-DC network; acquired DPI Specialty Foods.
- • Emerging-supplier program: an opt-in ~2% flat rate for new/small suppliers (under ~$500k, first year) covering distribution fees.
How EndlessEDI helps with KeHE Distributors
EndlessEDI supports KeHE’s tightened core document set with GS1-128 case labels and SSCC-matched ASNs, and keeps fill-rate-critical orders accurate to avoid the 98% shortfall fee.
Explore EndlessEDIKeHE Distributors EDI FAQ
What EDI documents does KeHE require?
KeHE’s 2025 program centers on a tightened core set — 850, 860, 855, 856, 810, and 997 — with the 820, 846, and 852 also used. All transactions route through the mandatory KeHE CONNECT portal.
Do I need SPS Commerce and KeHE CONNECT?
Yes. KeHE requires suppliers to subscribe to SPS Commerce for data exchange, and as of 2025 all transactions and disputes flow through the KeHE CONNECT supplier portal rather than email.
What is KeHE’s fill-rate requirement?
KeHE requires a 98% inbound fill rate; falling below is reported to incur a 3% fee on the value of shorted product. Confirm current figures in KeHE’s Inbound Routing Guide.
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.
