Supplier Compliance at Nordstrom

Eden Shulman

By Eden Shulman, Content Writer

Last Updated June 18, 2025

7 min read

In this article, learn about: 

  • EDI, labeling, product quality, and other standards for Nordstrom 

  • How to dispute a deduction at Nordstrom 

  • How to contact Nordstrom regarding vendor compliance issues 

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Becoming a vendor for Nordstrom can be an attractive proposition with major benefits for your bottom line. However, you’ll need to be fully aware of and compliant with its policies—including EDI documentation, product quality, labeling, and other specifications—to avoid deductions and have a chance at success. 

In this article, we’ll provide an overview of Nordstrom’s compliance policies and general requirements for doing business.  

Note: The information provided in this article is intended as a general summary of key vendor requirements, not as a comprehensive guide. Suppliers are strongly encouraged to consult the complete, official vendor standards documentation when doing business with Nordstrom.  

General Requirements for Suppliers Doing Business with Nordstrom 

Nordstrom’s detailed supplier documentation contains general requirements for all its suppliers. All vendors are required to: 

  • Adhere to the terms and conditions of the purchase orders (POs) 

  • Create EDI documentation using GS1 US guidelines and Nordstrom mapping guides 

  • Ensure that the advanced ship notices (ASN) are fully accurate, matching both the shipment and the PO to the store/SKU level  

  • Use the National Retail Federation’s (NRF’s) codes for color and size 

  • Maintain an accurate and updated UPC catalogue using a third-party EDI provider 

  • For more information regarding specific EDI requirements, check out the EDI Requirements section of this article below.  

  • Follow Nordstrom’s instructions for correct UPC ticketing, including bar codes and Nordstrom retail on all tickets 

  • Follow the instructions from Nordstrom Accounts Payable when submitting invoices 

  • Display corresponding valid GS1-128 shipping container labels on all cartons 

  • Use GS1 Floor Ready Hangers for all products which require a hanger 

  • Pack items in accordance with Nordstrom’s packaging instructions 

  • Use only approved carriers and follow the Nordstrom Routing Guide 

  • Utilize automatic replenishment and/or quick response programs for replenishment items, on Nordstrom’s request 

  • Contact Nordstrom at frm@nordstrom.com with updates on contacts and email addresses whenever necessary; updates for physical addresses can be sent to vendor.desk@nordstrom.com 

Vendors who are doing business with Nordstrom.com are required to: 

  • Offer all items chosen for catalogue titles for sale on Nordstrom.com 

  • Retain exclusivity for styles selected for catalogue titles and not sell them to any other catalogue 

  • Consider participating in the Nordstrom Marketing Program through the Nordstrom Media Network (NMN), which is designed to help suppliers drive brand awareness, increase website traffic, and convert a minimum of 3% of annual cost receipts through digital channels 

  • Claim any items returned for manufacturing defects, even if the return occurs after the selling season 

Product and Quality Requirements 

The Nordstrom Quality Center (NQC) is the entity that issues claims for defective products, which can be identified by the NQC prefix ending in 187. Claim receipts are generated on a rolling month-to-month basis and are automatic deductions sent to the supplier via email.  

Inquiries regarding these claims should be submitted by email to NQCChargeBacks@nordstrom.com or mailed to the following address: 

Nordstrom Quality Center  
1000 Andover Park West  
Tukwila, WA 98188 

When submitting inquiries, make sure to include your vendor name and number, the name of the inquirer, your phone number, and the text of your message. Nordstrom has a 12-month time limit for claim inquiries, and expense offset fee disputes must be submitted within 60 days of receiving the receipt.  

Children’s Products 

All products intended for children, such as clothing, toys, and bedding, must be tested for safety and conform to local laws and regulations, as well as any additional requirements from Nordstrom. If products fail to meet these standards, they could fail the quality audit, resulting in expense offset fees. 

Additionally, children’s jewelry and other accessories are expected to conform to ASTM International’s Standard Specification for Consumer Product Safety for Children’s Jewelry and the Washington State Children’s Safe Products Act, both of which regulate the quantities of cadmium and other hazardous materials in these products.  

An outline of Nordstrom’s safety requirements can be found on the Product Integrity page of the Nordstrom supplier website.  

Hazardous Materials 

The Department of Transportation has defined hazardous materials as any substance or item that has been determined to be capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property when transported. Hazardous materials include many home cleaners, cosmetics, diffusers, aerosols, items containing a lithium battery, and many others.  

A completed Safety Data Sheet (SDS) must be filled out for each hazardous UPC or style and emailed to CORP_Hazmat@nordstrom.com prior to shipment. The responsibility for determining if a material is hazardous falls on the vendor initiating the shipment, and every vendor is required to know whether their products meet this definition prior to shipping.  

Labeling  

All labeling must meet current Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and US Customs Service requirements. For any questions regarding labeling regulations, contact the FTC through their website or call 202-326-3553. 

Nordstrom has specific labeling requirements for the following product categories 

  • Textiles, wool, and fur 

  • Apparel 

  • Footwear 

  • Accessories 

  • Jewelry 

  • Food/Perishables 

  • Wool-based products 

  • Bamboo products 

  • Products labeled as Made in the USA 

  • Fur, skin, and faux fur products 

If vendors don’t meet these requirements, they will be subject to return to vendor fees and/or offset fees at Nordstrom’s discretion, pursuant to the purchase order.  

Related Reading: What Is a Purchase Order? 

EDI requirements 

Nordstrom requires its suppliers to be EDI enabled within 60 days of initial setup. Suppliers are allowed to use in-house EDI or to use any third-party EDI provider. However, the third-party provider must be tested through OpenText Compliance Link, to ensure its compatibility with the UPC catalogue.  

Below is a list of third-party EDI providers with which Nordstrom has had previous success (please note that Nordstrom doesn’t require OpenText Compliance Link testing for these providers): 

  • eZCom Software Inc. 

  • Innovative Systems  

  • OpenText/GXS/Inovis  

  • Roundhouse Group  

  • Spring Systems Sales  

  • TradeLinkOne 

Nordstrom’s vendors are required to use the following EDI documents: 

  • 810 Invoice  

  • 850 Purchase Order  

  • 856 Advance Ship Notice with related GS1-128  

  • 997 Functional Acknowledgement  

The following EDI documents are optional, but recommended for vendors to familiarize themselves with: 

  • 820 Payment Order / Remittance Advice  

  • 850 FR Purchase Order Full Replacement  =

  • 852 Product Activity data  

  • 855 Inbound Purchase Order/PO Acknowledgement  

  • 860 PO Change  

For the full list of EDI sender and receiver IDs, make sure to check out the Nordstrom Business Basics document. 

Related Reading: EDI for Retail Supply Chains Cheat Sheet 

Invoicing Requirements  

Nordstrom requires one invoice per purchase order, per destination, and per shipment.  The following information is required on invoices: 

  • Purchase order number 

  • Vendor number 

  • Invoice date 

  • Invoice number 

  • Department number 

  • Payment terms 

  • Store number 

  • Shipping location 

  • UPC numbers 

  • Number of units per UPC 

  • Unit cost and total cost per style =

  • Total units shipping 

  • Total cost 

Do not include freight charges on the invoices. Information regarding freight invoicing and reimbursement can be found in the Routing Guide section of the Nordstrom supplier website.  

How to Contact Nordstrom 

To contact Nordstrom, review the Supplier Resources and Contacts document or call the Nordstrom Supplier Hotline at 877-444-1313, available Monday through Friday from 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. PST, which can help you figure out the best contact at Nordstrom for your particular issue.  

For questions regarding:  

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