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Getting Started with the Retailer
Shipping Compliance
Best Practices for Tractor Supply Suppliers
Tractor Supply Company (TSC) is a leading rural lifestyle retailer. Whether it’s livestock feed, workwear, or hardware, TSC prides itself on keeping shelves stocked with the essentials its customers rely on every day.
Behind the scenes, the company’s supply chain depends on thousands of suppliers working in sync to ensure accurate and compliant deliveries. For suppliers, understanding TSC’s vendor requirements isn’t just about checking boxes— it’s an opportunity to build a reliable partnership.
Whether you are new to retail or a seasoned supplier looking to expand operations, this guide offers the clarity you need to ship with confidence.
Supplier Onboarding
While TSC prioritizes its relationships with its current suppliers, buyers reserve the right to open a category to bid to any potential vendors. Buyers will always award the business to the supplier based on the best overall proposal, price, and performance of the product.
How to Become a Supplier
Vendors can submit products at any time using the RangeMe platform. TSC makes the process easy by having suppliers create a product profile and upload information. The product will be directed to the right category buyer who can provide feedback directly.
RangeMe allows product submission in the following categories:
Agriculture Parts and Supplies
Outdoor Power Equipment
Pet Food and Supplies
Livestock Feed and Supplies, including Equine and Poultry
Fencing
Heating
Lawn & Garden, including Live Goods
Automotive & Utility Trailers
Hardware & Tools
Outdoor Sporting Goods
Clothing, Footwear, and Décor
Candy & Snack Foods
Fixtures/Graphics
Open buying days are also available to suppliers and are held three times a year in Franklin, Tennessee. Application, dates, and location details will be posted on Tractor Supply Company’s website, www.tractorsupply.com.
Vendor Agreement
Once chosen, suppliers will begin the onboarding process and receive a Vendor Agreement. Then, the Vendor Setup Schedule must be completed in its entirety and returned to the Buyer responsible for the category of products before any other business transactions can be made. Suppliers must complete all fields in this document. Leaving any section blank will delay the vendor requirements and setup process.
EDI Compliance
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is required for suppliers wishing to do business with TSC. The computer-to-computer transfer of business documents is a clean and efficient way of doing business. TSC is committed to moving towards a system of paperless document exchange.
Tractor Supply Company’s EDI program follows guidelines adopted by the retail industry (X12 4010) and adheres to the standards approved by the American Standards Institute (ASC X12), which are widely used throughout North America.
During onboarding, suppliers must complete EDI testing and be compliant within 60 days. Once active, they must acknowledge purchase orders (PO) within 48 hours. All electronic documents are official and supersede any faxed or hard copies.
Once suppliers are fully onboarded, they will receive the first PO from TSC. Then it's time to ship the goods.
Carton and Pallet Requirements
As with so many retailers, proper carton and pallet packaging is essential for successful shipping to the retailer. Following Tractor Supply Company’s packaging requirements and pallet standards, suppliers can ensure products arrive undamaged and on-time to support faster and more efficient handling at DCs and store locations.
Cartons
TSC asks all suppliers to use sturdy corrugated cartons which are appropriate for the product weight and size. Avoid overfilling or underfilling to prevent damage during transport.
Seal cartons securely with tape strong enough to withstand handling and stacking.
Size and weight limits should always be reported in decimal format and must match PO documentation. Measure package weight, volume, and size to the 1/10 decimal.
Related Reading: What is a Purchase Order?
Palletization
Use standard 48” x 40” four-way entry pallets made from Group III or IV hardwood.
Pallet height should not exceed TSC’s published maximum height; typically, 60”-72" depending on the product category.
Do not stack cartons to overhang the pallet edge. For bagged commodities, the maximum allowable overhang is 1” along the 40” side of a standard 48” x 40” pallet. No overhang is allowed along the 48” side.
Use clear shrink wrap to stabilize loads.
Utilize corner boards if needed to protect during shipment and improve stacking strength.
Bill of Lading and Required Fields
Pickup date of shipment
Distribution center number or store number
Purchase order number
Complete shipping address
Complete delivery address
Number of cases
Total weight for each line item described
The driver's signature with the number of pallets or non-palletized cartons
Customers ship to name and address
Customers contact phone number
Customers requested delivery date and time
Any other notes indicated on the PO (such as lift gate needed)
Suppliers should be sure to retain a signed copy of the BOL for historical records.
Other Considerations
It is important to note that all suppliers are subject to inspection and count of products as they pass through the TSC supply chain.
Tractor Supply Company Buyers will communicate when product quantities increase at certain times throughout the year. Suppliers should be aware of the following time frames to ensure product availability:
Suppliers can ship from multiple locations under the same vendor number. However, it is the vendors' responsibility to notify the buying team if they change or add shipping locations. Failure to communicate ship location changes will result in vendor compliance penalties.
Label Requirements
Proper labeling is crucial to ensure Tractor Supply Company can process, track and move products efficiently. Accurate labeling helps avoid misrouted freight and delays.
At this time, Tractor Supply Company is still requiring that each sellable product must display a scannable Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) or a Universal Product Code (UPC) that matches TSC’s item data records. The Retailer follows the guidance of GS1 US, so anticipate the upcoming changes that Sunrise 2027 will inevitably bring.
Related Reading: The Future is 2D Barcodes
Every carton should include labeling that provides information on product description, item number, quantity, and other identifying details to match the PO.
Master Case Pack Label Requirements
Store or DC Number
Purchase Order Number
Carton Number (i.e. 1 of 4)
Supplier Item Number
TSC Item Number
Description
Number of Inner Case Pack Count
Number of selling units count
Inner Case Pack Label Requirements
Supplier Item Number
TSC SKU Number
Case Pack (number of units in a shippable inner pack carton)
Purchase Order Number
Item Description (from the PO)
Mixed Freight
Items with different SKU numbers may not be mixed in a master pack
Shipments for more than one PO Number may not be mixed in a master case pack
Shipments for more than one PO Number may not be mixed on pallet
Additional Requirements
SSCC-18 for pallets – Serial Shipping Container Code is an 18-digit number to identify logistics units. These labels should be placed and visible on two adjacent sides of each pallet. The ink must be clear and legible without smudging to prevent issues with scanner readability.
Hazardous Materials – If applicable, hazardous goods must be labeled per the Department of Transportation regulations with proper placards and safety data sheets accompanying labeling.
Cartons containing breakable or fragile contents should be marked as such with the label being the most prominent graphic on the carton. This marking must also include arrows indicating the top of the carton.
Label Quality Matters
Make sure barcodes are printed clearly and at a proper resolution. Each barcode should be tested for scanability before shipping. Labels that are smudged, faded, or improperly formatted can cause rejections at the distribution center and/or store level.
Common mistakes to avoid:
Illegible or incorrect descriptions
Poorly placed or damaged barcodes
Missing labels in pallets (but present on cartons)
Mismatched product codes on cartons (versus TSC PO Records)
Following these guidelines helps keep suppliers shipments moving smoothly through the supply chain and supports a more reliable and compliant supplier relationship.
Related Reading: Vendor Compliance Checklist
Distribution Flow, Routing and Transportation
Tractor Supply Company maintains specific guidelines for routing and transportation to ensure that freight flows reliably through the supply chain. As a supplier, there are numerous options for the shipment of product.
Types of Fulfillment
DTS (Direct to Store) - Merchandise is shipped directly from the supplier to the individual Tractor Supply store locations, bypassing central warehousing facilities and distribution centers. (This method offers improved inventory management, reduced lead times, and potential for increased availability)
DC (Distribution Center) - Most inventory flows through TSC’s strategically located distribution centers, which organize shipments before shipping to stores.
DSV (Drop Ship Vendor) - Some suppliers ship directly to customers on behalf of Tractor Supply Company and TSC stores. This is high volume focused fulfillment method in which no inventory is stored at any TSC DC but instead sent by the supplier directly to the customer. EDI is required for this type of fulfillment.
VPXD (Cross-dock) - are shipments that fast-lane through distribution centers to go straight to the store.
SOS (Store Opening Solutions) - is an excellent opportunity for suppliers when they ship an entire year of goods to opening store locations which can reduce follow-ups and headaches.
Understanding these channels helps suppliers make informed decisions about lead times, packaging, and routing, while reducing compliance issues and delays.
How to Book Freight
Tractor Supply Company utilizes a transportation management system called the Manhattan Transportation Shipping Portal.
Within the portal, suppliers will receive communication as well as purchase orders from TSC. For most, suppliers will ship to one of the ten Distribution Centers:
Pendleton, IN
Casa Grande, AZ
Franklin, KY
Hagerstown, MD
Macon, GA
Waco, TX
Waverly NE
Frankfort, NY
Navarre, OH
Maumelle, AR
Delivery Times
All purchase orders must be delivered within the specified delivery window. The delivery window is indicated on the TSC PO by:
Prepaid Vendors: “Do not deliver before” and “Do not deliver after”
Collect Vendors: “Ship Not Before” and “Ship No Later”
Any items received after the last day of the delivery window may be rejected and sent back to the vendor at the vendor’s cost.
No purchase order should be shipped/delivered before or after the requested ship window without authorization. All late shipments must be communicated to the appropriate Inventory Analyst.
Compliance Enforcement and Penalties
Deductions are automatically made for the items listed below. For any deductions taken, AP shared services will provide the supplier with a debit memo that details the nature of the item deduction. This information can also be obtained from the vendor portal. The following are the most common causes of deduction within the Tractor Supply Company supply chain.
Pricing discrepancies – inaccurate invoices or any deviation from the purchase order price and other terms and allowances noted on the purchase order will result in a chargeback against the invoice.
Damaged or incorrect goods – Anytime TSC receives goods that are not in the anticipated condition, the supplier is eligible to receive a chargeback.
Quantity discrepancies – shortages claimed by the receiving location will result in a chargeback against the invoice.
Administrative errors – errors in data entry, incorrect supplier information or other clerical mistakes can result in a deduction.
Incorrect PO numbers – mismatched or incorrect labeling that lists incorrect purchase order numbers on carton, pallets or packages.
Defective Allowances - If TSC offers a defective allowance, and the level of defective goods stays within that allowance, a customer's claim for a refund for defective merchandise might not lead to a chargeback from the retailer to the supplier.
Vendor Support Funding - which includes:
Rebates
Price Cut Programs
Markdown Allowances
New or relocated store discounts
Buybacks and resets
Small deductions add up over time and can seriously impact a business’ profit margins. Suppliers should be sure to review the Tractor Supply Company Vendor Requirement Manual to stay compliant and to protect profits.
Disputes
All invoice, deduction, and remittance information is available for review within the vendor portal at tsc.apexanalytix.com. For deduction information not found within the portal, submit a request via email to: askap@tractorsupply.com. If a supplier chooses to email, the message must include the following information:
Invoice number, date and amount
Purchase order number, date and amount
Store number
Description of request
All disputes must be addressed within six months of the date of payment. Any dispute twelve months or more from the date of the payment will be automatically denied, regardless of circumstances. Disputes will be researched internally and usually take six to eight weeks to finalize the dispute request.
Best Practices for Suppliers
To maintain compliance within the Tractor Supply shipping supply chain, it is best for suppliers to follow the set compliance regulations. TSC is committed to providing excellent service, not only within their stores and with their customers, but also within the supply chain and with their suppliers.
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