• General Questions
• Questions about EDI
• Floor Ready Merchandise Questions
• Shipping Questions
• Shipping Claims
• Accounts Payable
• Industry Contacts

GENERAL QUESTIONS

Where may I obtain a copy of the Supplier Standards?

• The Supplier Standards are available on this website and can be found on the left sidebar.  They can be viewed as PDF files; to download any of the the 'Standards' doucments, click 'Save a Copy' in the Adobe Reader toolbar. (Note:The information on this website is updated regularly and can change without notice, please check back regularly.)

Why does Nordstrom impose expense offset fees?

• The purpose of our offset fees is to recoup the expenses incurred by our DC/FCs when they are forced to receive shipments manually due to inaccuarcies within the shipment or EDI documents. Compliance with industry standard EDI requirements supports our common goal of expediting the flow of your merchandise to the selling floor, resulting in enhanced sales opportunities for your company.

Who should I contact regarding expense offset fees?

• Send email to Nordstrom Supplier Offset Fees offsetfees@nordstrom.com.  Before sending please use the Supplier Resources & Contacts to ensure you are directing your inquiry to the right support team.  This will help expidite Nordstrom's response.  Please include your vendor number, supplier number, expense offset fee information and ISA number (for ASN inquiries). Nordstrom does not provide pictures of non-compliance.  Suppliers have 60 Days, from the document date, to inquire on expense offset fees; charges can be viewed on the AP Inquirey website: https://portal.nordstrom.com

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QUESTIONS ABOUT EDI

Why can't I supply my UPCs to you directly?

• We do not currently have the capacity to accept UPCs directly.

What is the ASN requirement for UPS?

• An individual 856 ASN must be sent to Nordstrom for each small package carton when using UPS.

What are the required/mandatory shipment reference fields in the EDI 856 ASN to Nordstrom?

*Please refer to www.gs1us.org for complete GS1 US BOL (also know as VICS BOL) Guidelines, including definition of Master Bill of Lading and how to generate unique Shippers Bill of Lading and Master Bill of Lading Numbers.

When should the EDI 856 be sent/transmitted to Nordstrom?

• Your EDI 856 transmission should only be transmitted AFTER you have shipped your shipment or after the pickup carrier has signed for your shipment. You should always have the Pickup Carrier's Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) and Carrier Pro Bill Number or Small Package Tracking ID Number.
• A SCAC code reference list for Nordstrom authorized pickup carriers may be found in the Routing Guide under SCAC Code Listing.

If only an individual Bill of Lading is used how are the Bill of Lading field requirements handled on the EDI 856 to Nordstrom?

• Populate both the Master Bill of Lading and the individual shipper's Bill of Lading fields with the individual shipper's Bill of Lading number.
• For Example:
• REF01 = BM and REF02 = Bill of Lading
• REF01 = MB and REF02 = Bill of Lading
• This fits Shipping Scenarios 1 & 2 below.

Scenario 1:Shipment from vendor warehouse direct to Nordstrom DC, via LTL CARRIER: Vendor must provide the:

• Individual shipper's Bill of Lading (REF01 = BM and REF02=Bill of Lading)
• Pickup Carrier's Name (SCAC) (TD502= 2 and TD503 = SCAC)
• Carrier Pro Number (REF01 = CN and REF02= Carrier Pro Number).

Scenario 2: Shipment from vendor warehouse to Nordstrom CONSOLIDATOR, single shipment. Vendor must provide the:

• Individual shipper's Bill of Lading (REF01 = BM and REF02=Bill of Lading)
• Pickup Carrier's Name (SCAC) (TD502= 2 and TD503 = SCAC)
• Carrier Pro Number (REF01 = CN and REF02= Carrier Pro Number)

(In this scenario the Carrier Pro Number represents the number assigned by the carrier that transports the freight from the vendor warehouse to the consolidator).

 

If a House Carrier or Prepaid Carrier is used to transport the freight to the consolidator, the Bill of Lading, Carrier Pro Number and SCAC fields still must be populated.

If individual shipments are grouped together under a Master Bill of Lading ("aggregated shipments"), as required by Gilbert East and Norcon consolidations, how are the Bill of Lading field requirements handled on the EDI 856 to Nordstrom?

• In this shipping scenario, populate both the individual shipper's Bill of Lading and the associated Master Bill of Lading.
• If only one of the Bill of Lading numbers is available, populate this same number in both fields. This step will facilitate tracking.
• For Example:
• REF01 = BM and REF02 = Bill of Lading
• REF01 = MB and REF02 = Master Bill of Lading
• This fits Shipping Scenario 3 below.

Shipping Scenario 3:

Aggregated shipment from vendor warehouse to Nordstrom CONSOLIDATOR, using master bill of lading with underlying DC specific sub-bills of lading. Vendor must provide the:

• Master Bill of Lading (REF01 = MB and REF02 = Master Bill of Lading)
• Individual shipper's Bill of Lading (sub BOL per DC) (REF01 = BM and REF02= Bill of Lading)
• Pickup Carrier's Name (SCAC) (TD502= 2 and TD503 = SCAC)
• Pickup Carrier's Pro Number (REF01 = CN and REF02= Carrier Pro Number)

(In this scenario the Carrier Pro Number represents the single pro number assigned by the pickup carrier for the Master Bill of Lading to transport the freight from the vendor warehouse to the consolidator).

 

If a House Carrier or Prepaid Carrier is used to transport the freight to the consolidator, the Master Bill of Lading, Bill of Lading, Carrier Pro Number and SCAC fields still must be populated.

If an individual shipper's Bill of Lading is not used how are the Bill of Lading field requirements handled on the EDI 856 to Nordstrom?

• Populate the Pickup Carrier's Pro number/ Airway Bill Number or if the shipment is a Small Package shipment, the Package Tracking ID number, in both the Master Bill of Lading and individual shippers Bill of Lading fields.
• For Example:
• REF01 = BM and REF02 = Carrier Pro Number or Small Package Carrier package tracking number
• REF01 = MB and REF02 = Carrier Pro Number or Small Package Carrier package tracking number
• This fits Shipping Scenarios 4 & 5 below.

Scenario 4:

Shipment from vendor warehouse direct to Nordstrom DC, via UPS Small Package Carrier. Vendor must provide one ASN per package. Vendor must provide the:

• Small Package Carrier's package tracking ID number (REF01 = BM and REF02= Small Package Carrier package tracking number)
• Small Package Carrier's Name (SCAC) (TD502= 2 and TD503 = SCAC)

Scenario 5:

Shipment from vendor warehouse direct to Nordstrom DC, via HEAVYWEIGHT AIR CARRIER. Vendor must provide the:

• PickUp Carrier's Name (SCAC) (TD502= 2 and TD503 = SCAC)
• Airway Bill Number (REF01 = CN and REF02= Airway Bill Number)
• Individual shipper's Bill of Lading (REF01 = BM and REF02 = Bill of Lading).

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FLOOR READY MERCHANDISE QUESTIONS

Where can I find the Ticket Requirements and a list of Approved Ticket Providers?

• In the Nordstrom Ticket Standards, see "Nordstrom Store Ticket Standards" (Section 2), "Rack Store Ticket Standards" (Section 3) and "Ecommerce Ticket Requirements" (Section 4).  For a listing of "Approved Ticket/Barcode Sticker Providers" refer to Section 1.

When do I need to use a hanger and when do I need to ship flat?

• Refer to the Hanging Standards, for Nordstrom Stores, Rack Stores, Nordstrom.com, Nordstromrack.com & Reserve Stock.

My shipment is not EDI. Am I required to apply a GS1-128 label?

• No. Please follow the "Carton Label Requirements for NON-EDI Shipments" instructions in Section 3 of the Packaging and Labeling Standards .

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SHIPPING QUESTIONS

How do I determine the weight of my shipment?

• There are two ways to determine the weight of a shipment, depending on your shipping location: If carriers Gilbert East, Red Star, Nor Con, or Colonial Trucking are listed on the Routing Guide origin state page of the state from which your shipment will originate, the weight of your shipment is equal to the total weight of ALL cartons shipping to ALL DC's (using the above carriers) on the same day. Otherwise, the weight of your shipment is the weight of all cartons shipping to the same DC on the same day.

How do I determine where to ship my order?

• For PO's with 8 digits, the warehouse number should be on the PO. If not, refer to the "Store/DC List" at the end of our Routing Guide for the store to DC relationships. If your PO number is Alphanumeric (2 alpha - 6 numeric) then your 'ship to DC' will be on your order. If the PO is missing any information, contact the issuing Nordstrom buyer.

If I am paying for the freight do I need to use your carrier selection?

• YES. Our Routing Guide identifies the most time and cost efficient transportation methods for shipping to Nordstrom. We have contracted competitive rates with our carriers as well as other value added services, and this allows us to process our preferred carriers systematically. If you are paying the freight on a purchase order, please follow the Routing Guide instructions and mark your shipment "collect" or, if using UPS, "Bill Third Party" using the Third Party Bill To Account Number provided. Nordstrom will chargeback/deduct the cost of the freight from your invoice using our rates. If you still choose to use your own carrier, Nordstrom will not be responsible for any freight charges: you will be responsible for freight and charged back for all charges regardless of the rates. If you have any questions regarding which carrier you should use, contact the DC to which you are sending merchandise.

How do I select a carrier?

• Carrier selection depends on several criteria, including weight, shipment origin and destination, and mode of transit on purchase orders. To determine shipping for your location, please refer to the Routing Guide "Origin State Pages", selecting the state from which your shipment is originating. Follow the specific criteria on that page to determine the carrier, then, refer to that carrier's page (found just above the "Origin State Pages" section of the Routing Guide) for information on using that carrier. If you have any questions about which carrier you should use, please contact the DC to which you are shipping.

Why did I receive a Freight Chargeback?

• Freight chargebacks are issued for two reasons:
• Freight Agreement: We have a Freight Agreement on file for your vendor number or the PO specifies that the vendor will pay some or all of the freight charges.
• Purchase Order or Routing Guide violation: To discuss your chargeback, please contact the DC to which merchandise was shipped, and ask for the Traffic Department.
• Freight chargebacks can be reviewed and inquired on via the OpenText AI Portal; for access assistance please email freight@nordstrom.com

Who may I contact to discuss shipping and carrier selection?

• Contact the DC to which you are planning to ship your merchandise and ask for the Traffic Department.

Where are the DC phone numbers?

• DC phone numbers may be found on the "Store/DC List" in the Routing Guide.

My shipment weighs over 50 pounds. May I use UPS?

• No. UPS is our designated small package shipper and handles shipments that weigh 50 pounds and under only. Please go to the Routing Guide "Origin State Pages" and select the state from which your shipment will originate to select the appropriate carrier.

The buyer requested us to ship via a specific carrier on the PO. What should we do?

• Call the DC to which you are shipping and ask the Traffic Office for further instructions.

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SHIPPING CLAIMS

What happens if I pack an order incorrectly?

• Nordstrom suppliers must pack by store as indicated on the PO. Nordstrom DC will no longer re-allocate mis-packs to the appropriate store. The mis-packed merchandise will be returned to the Supplier as not ordered.

Why do the claim packing lists indicate 'Not Ordered' as the reason for most claims?

• Claims that are returned to the Supplier have a claim copy as a packing slip.  All PO violation claim reasons are shown as 'Not Ordered', except in the case of shipping window violations or PO cancellations. All 'Defective' or 'Accommodation' returns show 'Defective or Accommodation' on the packing slip.

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ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Who should I contact about the consolidated invoicing requirement (one invoice per shipment)?

• Contact Merch AP: merchap@nordstrom.com.

Is there a non-compliance expense offset fee associated with this requirement?

• A non-compliance expense offset fee of $10 per invoice will be assessed for every non-consolidated invoice.

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INDUSTRY CONTACTS

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