Required EDI Documents for Dick’s Sporting Goods Vendors

Victoria Branch

By Victoria Branch, Content Writer

Last Updated July 28, 2025

6 min read

In this article, learn about: 

  • The required EDI documents with Dick’s Sporting Goods 

  • Temporary provisions for non-EDI vendors 

  • The impact of being a non-EDI vendor 

Dick’s Sporting Goods (DSG) is a nationally leading omnichannel retailer that serves athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. With a recent push to expand and diversify their supplier base, DSG now has more opportunities than ever for suppliers in the sports and outdoor sector. If you’re looking to become a DSG supplier, knowing the required documents to exchange necessary information is critical.  

An EDI Overview 

When working with Dick’s Sporting Goods as a supplier, you’ll quickly notice the term EDI in their vendor documents. Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is a standardized method for exchanging business documents directly between computer systems without the need for human interaction. It was originally developed to create a common language for transactions (regardless of industry). It has since become a foundational tool in the supply chain industry, as well as in healthcare and logistics.  

EDI enables the seamless and automated transmission of essential documents, such as purchase orders, invoices, and advance shipping notices, between trading partners (suppliers and retailers). These documents have strict formatting standards to be machine-readable and efficiently processed. Dick’s Sporting Goods requires all vendors to become EDI-capable as soon as a vendor number is assigned, highlighting its importance in streamlined vendor relationships.  

Temporary Provisions for Non-EDI Vendors 

When working with Dick’s Sporting Goods as a non-EDI capable vendor, you will be transmitting important documents manually. You should be aware that all vendors are required to become full production EDI trading partners, and it is an expectation to be working toward this capability. Full production for a Dick's Sporting Goods vendor means their Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) system is fully implemented, thoroughly tested, and actively operating to facilitate compliant electronic exchange of business documents with DSG. 

Packing Slip Requirements 

Packing slips are important for showing the contents and related information of an actual shipment.  Once you are in full production for 856 Advanced Shipping Notice, you will no longer need to provide packing slips, except for direct-to-store orders. Packing slips must be legible and include the information listed below. 

  • Purchase Order (PO) number 
  • Store destination number (if applicable) 
  • Quantity Shipped for each UPC  
  • Bulk Orders: Number of shipped cartons per UPC and case pack quantity 
  • Replenishments (Store) Orders: Number of cartons shipped per PO is mandatory 
  • Drop Shipments (direct-to-store or DTS): All drop shipments must include a packing slip, regardless of EDI capability. Vendors must also list the carton count at the PO level.  
  • eCommerce Fulfillment Centers (location 1053): Packing slips must be detailed by carton if you’re a non-EDI vendor. You must list each carton and its contents.  

Please note: A separate packing slip is required for each purchase order and each store designation. 

Email Communication 

Vendors who are not in full Advanced Ship Notice (ASN) production status are required to email packing slips to the Dick’s Sporting Goods Operations Support team as soon as merchandise is shipped. 

The email subject line should include the vendor name, number, PO, and TMS Ship ID. 

This process must continue throughout the ASN testing and parallel phase, as the DC Operations team relies on these packing slips to generate the ASN until the vendor is in full production. 

Manual Invoicing 

New vendors not yet in production for EDI Invoice (810) should email invoices to their assigned AP Analyst or MerchandiseAccountsPayable@dcsg.com. These invoices must be submitted using an Excel template found in the vendor portal's Project Library, with detailed billing at the line level. 

Drawbacks of Non-EDI Compliance 

While any Dick’s Sporting Goods vendor must become EDI-capable as soon as possible, non-EDI vendors must consider some important drawbacks. Many of the drawbacks mentioned below have financial implications and are easily avoidable.  

  • Chargebacks for Manual Invoices: Failure to submit invoices via EDI or comply with the specified invoice requirements will result in a $25 chargeback per invoice. This is identified with the code "MAN—Manual Entry—Invoice not sent EDI.” 

  • Delayed or Missing Payments: Failure to follow invoicing requirements can lead to delayed payments. 

  • Additional Fees: Incomplete manual invoice submissions are subject to additional fees, meaning further financial burdens.  

  • Operational Delays: Delays in receiving necessary documentation, such as forgetting to email a packing slip, can result in products not making it to store shelves on time. 

  • Slower Growth: Dick’s Sporting Goods clearly states the importance of being EDI-capable. It is vital to recognize that the longer a vendor takes to transmit documents via EDI, the harder it will be to scale up.  

Using EDI with Dick’s Sporting Goods 

Communicating important supply chain documents via Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is the standard at Dick’s Sporting Goods and most other major retailers. As global supply chains grow more complex, EDI continues to be a vital technology for enabling the fast, accurate, and scalable exchange of business data. 

Related Reading: EDI for Retail Supply Chains Cheat Sheet 

Main EDI Types Explained 

You can find the current EDI rules and mapping files in the Project Library on the Dick’s Sporting Goods Vendor Portal. EDI documents are labeled with a standardized coding format—typically “EDI” followed by a three-digit number (e.g., EDI 850 for a purchase order).  

Dick’s Sporting Goods is now using the following EDI documents (and more) with suppliers:  

856: Advanced Shipping Notice (ASN) 

All vendors are required to send ASNs for all purchase orders shipping to Dick's Sporting Goods and its affiliates, including shipments to distribution centers, direct-to-store, or drop ship purchase orders.  

ASNs must be sent within 1 hour after the shipment closes and leaves the facility, and they must be received by Dick's Sporting Goods while the shipment is still in transit. It is acceptable to send the ASN before your shipment is picked up if all required information is in place. Delays in receiving the Advanced Shipping Notice may result in your shipments being delayed.  

997: Functional Acknowledgement  

Dick’s Sporting Goods will send a 997 acknowledgement once the ASN has been sent. EDI 997s function almost as a meta-transaction in data interchange, to acknowledge the acceptance of a group of or an individual EDI transaction. If no ASN is available, this transaction will be proofed at the Distribution Centers.  

850: Purchase Order 

Dick’s Sporting Goods communicates what they’d like to purchase from vendors with EDI 850s. These transaction sets can be used for standalone orders, bulk orders, single store, replenishments, and order consolidations.  

Related Reading: What is a Purchase Order? 

810: Invoice  

The vendor/supplier sends this invoice document to Dick’s Sporting Goods to receive payment for the cost of goods. These must be sent in conjunction with the ASN one hour after the shipment departs. They must reference the Child Purchase Order number (not the Parent PO), have unique invoice numbers, and reflect the correct cost and date of shipment. Tracking information must also be included. 

Related Reading: Explaining EDI 810  

Simply Your EDI For Business 

SPS Commerce can help you become EDI compliant while working with Dick’s Sporting Goods. Schedule a consultation today!  

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