Nordstrom EDI Requirements
Nordstrom built its program on the VICS EDI framework and trades everything at the UPC/item level — suppliers must be 100% UPC-marked and submit a UPC catalog before trading. There are two channels: wholesale/DC EDI (GS1-128, floor-ready) and drop-ship via the DSCO/Rithum platform. Nordstrom Full Line and Rack run under one combined supplier-compliance program.
Required EDI documents
| Document | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EDI 850 | Purchase Order | required |
| EDI 855 | PO Acknowledgment | optional/recommended |
| EDI 856 | Advance Ship Notice (ASN) | required; must arrive before the shipment |
| EDI 810 | Invoice | required; one per PO, per destination, per shipment |
| EDI 860 | PO Change | optional |
| EDI 832 | Price/Sales Catalog | UPC catalog before trading |
| EDI 852 | Product Activity Data | optional |
| EDI 846 | Inventory Advice | optional |
| EDI 820 | Remittance | optional |
| EDI 997 | Functional Acknowledgment | required |
Labeling & packaging
- GS1-128 (UCC-128) carton labels with a 20-digit SSCC, ship-to DC, vendor info, PO number, department number, and carton count — scannable and matching Nordstrom’s item data; the 856 ties to the label data.
- Floor-ready merchandise: goods must arrive ticketed, tagged, and packaged for immediate floor placement.
- Suppliers must be 100% UPC/EAN-marked and submit a UPC catalog (832) before trading EDI.
Connection & portal
- Wholesale/DC EDI supports VAN, AS2, SFTP/FTP, and API; vendors commonly route via SPS, TrueCommerce, etc., with Nordstrom-issued vendor IDs.
- Drop-ship (Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack) uses the DSCO platform — now Rithum (CommerceHub) — via DSCO API or EDI; separate connections are required for each program.
Onboarding & testing
Suppliers are reported to be EDI-enabled within ~60 days of setup, with testing required before sending live 810 invoices. Drop-ship onboarding loads live inventory/catalog into DSCO/Rithum, then notifies Nordstrom that testing is complete.
Compliance & chargebacks
- • Nordstrom uses an “expense offset” model. Reported third-party figures (verify against the Expense Offset Policies PDF): ~$5 per EDI error, ~$25 per paper invoice for EDI-capable vendors, ~$5 per carton for missing/non-scannable labels, ~$150 for a UPC missing from the catalog at setup.
- • ASN timing: the 856 must be received by Nordstrom’s WMS before the shipment physically arrives at the DC (some sources cite ≥30 minutes prior), accurate to store/SKU level.
- • Offset disputes are reported to require submission within 60 days of receipt.
Worth knowing
- • Two channels: wholesale/DC EDI (VICS, GS1-128, floor-ready) and drop-ship via DSCO/Rithum (API-first).
- • Nordstrom Rack drop-ship orders ship without packing slips or return labels; Full Line and Rack are governed by one combined compliance program.
How EndlessEDI helps with Nordstrom
EndlessEDI keeps Nordstrom’s UPC catalog and item data accurate, builds SSCC-matched 856s that land before DC arrival, and supports both wholesale EDI and DSCO/Rithum drop-ship — reducing expense offsets.
Explore EndlessEDINordstrom EDI FAQ
What EDI documents does Nordstrom require?
The 850 (PO), 856 (ASN), 810 (invoice), and 997 are required, with the 855, 860, 852, 832, 846, and 820 optional. Nordstrom trades at the UPC/item level, so a UPC catalog is required before trading.
How does Nordstrom drop-ship EDI work?
Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack drop-ship runs on the DSCO platform (now Rithum/CommerceHub) via DSCO API or EDI, with separate connections per program. Rack drop-ship orders ship without packing slips or return labels.
What are Nordstrom expense offsets?
Expense offsets are Nordstrom’s chargeback-equivalent fees for non-compliance. Reported third-party figures include ~$5 per EDI error, ~$25 per paper invoice, ~$5 per carton for missing labels, and ~$150 for a UPC missing from the catalog — verify against Nordstrom’s Expense Offset Policies.
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.
