Target EDI Requirements
Target has three vendor models: first-party store vendors (traditional EDI), the invite-only Target Plus marketplace (API-based, not traditional EDI), and drop-ship (hybrid). For first-party vendors, EDI on ANSI X12 v5010 is mandatory, and the 856/ASN is the single most compliance-sensitive document.
Required EDI documents
| Document | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EDI 850 | Purchase Order | |
| EDI 855 | PO Acknowledgment | |
| EDI 856 | Advance Ship Notice (ASN) | most compliance-sensitive |
| EDI 810 | Invoice | |
| EDI 846 | Inventory Advice | conditional |
| EDI 852 | Product Activity Data | conditional |
| EDI 830 | Planning Schedule | conditional by category |
| EDI 997 | Functional Acknowledgment |
Labeling & packaging
- GS1-128 carton labels with a unique SSCC-18; the SSCC-18 in each pack-level loop of the 856 must match the physical barcode exactly.
- GS1-licensed GTINs/UPCs required; Target’s internal item identifier is the DPCI (carried with the UPC in the 850).
- Routing Guide (pallet heights, stretch-wrap, label placement, approved carriers) is accessed via Partners Online; a non-approved carrier is a chargeback.
Connection & portal
- AS2 or an approved VAN (ANSI X12 v5010).
- Partners Online (POL) is the vendor portal for orders, scorecards, chargebacks, item setup, and the Routing Guide — it works alongside EDI, not as a replacement.
Onboarding & testing
Reported 7–12 weeks with traditional providers. Mandatory certification testing in Target’s test environment for every document type before production. Flow: vendor agreement → Target vendor number → POL registration → choose provider + AS2/VAN → mapping → certification → production.
Compliance & chargebacks
- • Reported ASN errors at 2–3% of PO value and carton-label defects around $0.15–$0.75/carton (third-party estimates; POL fee schedule is login-gated).
- • 60-minute rule: the 856 must transmit no later than 60 minutes after the trailer closes, and arrive before in-yard time at the DC. Each RDC requires its own separate 856.
- • Target measures On-Time Arrival and On-Time Ship, feeding the vendor scorecard.
Worth knowing
- • Target Plus marketplace is invite-only and API-based — not traditional EDI.
- • DPCI is Target’s proprietary item identifier; GTIN/UPC still required.
How EndlessEDI helps with Target
EndlessEDI generates accurate, carton-level 856s tied to SSCC labels straight from pick/pack data and can hit Target’s tight ASN timing, while keeping the PO, ASN, and invoice aligned to protect the scorecard.
Explore EndlessEDITarget EDI FAQ
What EDI documents does Target require?
Core mandatory documents are the 850, 855, 856, 810, and 997, with 846/852/830 conditional by category, on ANSI X12 v5010.
What is Target’s 60-minute ASN rule?
Target requires the 856 (ASN) to transmit within 60 minutes of the trailer closing and to arrive before the shipment reaches the DC. Each regional distribution center needs its own separate 856.
Is Target Plus the same as Target EDI?
No. Target Plus is an invite-only, API-based marketplace and doesn’t use traditional EDI. First-party store-vendor relationships use EDI.
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.
