Best Free Tools for CPG Suppliers

In this article, learn about: 

• Essential shipping and freight planning tools for CPG suppliers 

• Product identification, barcoding, and sourcing resources 

• Retailer compliance guides and professional development platforms 

As a supplier, we know you stay busy, and there’s never enough time in the day. That’s why we’ve put together a list of free resources to help optimize your workflow. No sales gimmicks, no catches—just resources we think you might find helpful.  

Essential Supply Chain Tools & Resources 

To make these resources easier to navigate, we’ve organized them into common FAQs. Each section breaks down frequently asked questions and free resources to help answer them.  

Note: For full transparency, we share some of our own resources throughout this list. Anything from SupplierWiki or Carbon6 is created and offered by our team to provide reliable guides, templates, and tools specifically for CPG suppliers. 

Shipping & Freight FAQs 

How do I find a freight carrier? 

StartupCPG maintains a comprehensive Freight Carrier database to help you find the best fit for your company. You can filter by a variety of services, such as LTL, FTL, cross-border, shipping specialty, and more.  

StartupCPG has a variety of supply chain partner lists. Also check out: 

• StartupCPG Warehouses & 3PL Fulfillment List 

• StartupCPG Brokers List 

• StartupCPG Distributors List 

How do I track my freight shipment? 

Most major carriers have tracking tools on their websites: 

• Track J.B Hunt Shipments 

• Track Old Dominion Shipments 

• Track FedEx Shipments 

• Track UPS Shipments 

How do I optimize my master carton size to reduce shipping costs? 

The SoStocked Master Carton Calculator is a free tool designed to help Amazon suppliers determine the optimal number of units per master carton and pallet. By inputting product dimensions, carton specifications, and shipping costs, you can identify packaging configurations that minimize storage and freight expenses. 

How do I know what tariffs to expect? 

Project44 has a Tariff Simulator to help you calculate import costs. Simply enter your Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code, country of origin, date of entry, and shipment value to calculate the tariff to plan for. 

How do I plan for cross-border shipping requirements? 

Averitt offers free checklists for cross-border shipments to or from Mexico and Canada. These checklists can help you ensure your shipments meet all compliance and documentation requirements.  

Where can I learn about the basics of freight shipping? 

If you want a clear overview of carriers, shipping terms, and logistics best practices, SupplierWiki offers several free guides tailored for CPG suppliers: 

• A Supplier’s Guide to Freight, Carriers, and Logistics 

• Working with Distributors: Onboarding, Compliance, and Disputing Chargebacks 

• The Basics of Supply Chain Logistics 

Product FAQs 

How can I find manufacturers or suppliers for my products? 

ThomasNet is a free directory of 500,000+ industrial suppliers. Whether you’re looking for parts or services, it can help you search for potential industry partners that fit your needs. 

How many barcodes do I need? 

The GS1 US Barcode Estimator estimates how many barcodes you’ll need based on your product variations, such as size, color, or style. This can help you plan for your current SKUs and forecast future barcode needs. 

How do I calculate a check digit for a barcode? 

⁠Use the GS1 Check Digit Calculator to generate a check digit for a GTIN. A check digit is calculated based on the other numbers in the barcode and ensures the integrity of the barcode. 

How do I find my trading partners’ Global Location Number (GLN)? 

The GS1 Global Location Number (GLN) Lookup lets you search and verify GLNs for facilities and trading partners. This ensures accurate identifiers in shipping documentation and EDI transactions. 

How do I know if a product needs a new Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)? 

If a product has changes, it may require a new GTIN. The GS1 GTIN Management Decision-Support Tool provides guidance on when to assign new GTINs. This helps maintain compliance and avoid disruptions in retailer systems. 

Retailer FAQs 

How do I find a retail buyer? 

BuyerConnect, created by SupplierWiki, lists hundreds of retail buyers across Walmart, Target, and Home Depot. You can search by category, department, or title to find the buyer you’re looking for.  

How do I find my retailer’s fiscal calendar? 

SupplierWiki maintains retail fiscal calendars for Walmart, Target, and Kroger, so that you can plan production, promotions, and shipments around important fiscal dates and deadlines. 

How do I find my retailer’s vendor guide? 

SupplierWiki has an ever-growing list of Retailer Vendor Guides, covering major retailers from Amazon and Whole Foods to KeHE and Hy-Vee. These guides, created by the retailers themselves, provide onboarding instructions, compliance requirements, and operational standards to help suppliers work effectively and stay compliant. 

How can I stay compliant with my retailers? 

SupplierWiki offers free articles, cheat sheets, and webinars covering compliance topics, operational requirements, and deduction management across dozens of major retailers. 

Supply Chain Education and Training 

Continuous learning is the key to staying competitive in the CPG industry. From building expertise in retail operations to mastering compliance and logistics, these free platforms provide practical guidance and professional development opportunities for suppliers at any stage of their career. 

CMKG Free Retail & CPG Skills Assessments 

Online self-assessment tools for evaluating knowledge in retail and CPG operations can help you identify skill gaps and target learning in areas like category management, space management, and sales. 

SBA Learning 

A library of free tutorials and training modules from the U.S. Small Business Administration includes lessons on marketing, financial strategy, business partnerships, and more. 

SBA Thrive 

Free executive-level training program from the U.S. Small Business Administration offers mentoring, coaching, and courses for small business leaders to accelerate their growth. 

SupplierWiki 

Free articles, eBooks, webinars, and cheat sheets covering supply chain, retailer compliance, and deductions to help suppliers learn how to navigate retailer compliance requirements and optimize their revenue recovery. 

CPG Resources Quick Reference 

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