Tesco Stores Ltd
Tesco EDI requirements for suppliers
EDIFACT D96A orders, ASNs and invoices, with the ASN mandatory for every palletised load and EPOD replacing paper TRNs.
- Standards
- EDIFACT
- Versions
- EANCOM D96A (ORDERS, DESADV, INVOIC, RECADV)
- Connectivity
- AS2 or VAN, agreed on the Tesco EDI connectivity form. TIMS is the manual ASN fallback.
- Acknowledgements
- CONTRL within 4 hours of each DESADV and INVOIC; RECADV back from EPOD the next day.
Documents
What Tesco sends and expects back
| Code | Document | Direction | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ORDERS | Purchase order | From Tesco | Depot site ID, delivery slot and case quantities per line. |
| DESADV | Despatch advice (ASN) | To Tesco | Sent at despatch. One SSCC per pallet, mixed pallets flagged, best-before per line. |
| INVOIC | Invoice | To Tesco | Built from the delivered quantities so it matches the receipt. |
| RECADV | Receiving advice (EPOD) | From Tesco | Electronic proof of delivery, matched to the ASN to flag shortages and refusals. |
Physical requirements
Labels, paperwork and pallets
Labels
- GS1-128 pallet label with SSCC (AI 00), GTIN (02), count (37) and best-before (15/17)
- Case max 23 kg; cases over 16 kg carry a weight sticker
- Label approval through the Tesco barcode quality process
Paperwork
- Tesco delivery note layout with SSCC list and site ID
- Non-compliance notices tracked with evidence and a 30-day challenge window
Pallet rules
- CHEP / IPP / LPR 1200 x 1000 four-way, no white pallets except Oakwood
- Max 1,680 mm high, 1,250 kg; column stack with equal cases per layer
- Clear wrap only, finished 20 mm below the top
Label layout details in the GS1-128 pallet label guide. How the ASN, label and delivery note fit together in ASNs and labels.
Watch out for
Where Tesco deliveries go wrong
- Every palletised delivery needs an ASN or it is refused at the gate.
- Site IDs, not GLNs, drive the depot mapping.
- Non-compliance charges arrive daily by email and lapse if not challenged in 30 days.
With FTP EDI
How FTP EDI handles Tesco
- A Tesco template with the EDIFACT message guides, depot codes and acknowledgement windows already configured.
- Rule checks that catch Tesco's own requirements before a document is sent, explained in plain English.
- ASNs built from the warehouse despatch confirmation, with SSCCs and GS1-128 labels from the same record.
- Every acknowledgement matched to its document and chased, with alerts when Tesco's window closes with nothing back.
- Seven-year archive of raw and translated messages, receipts and user actions for any dispute with Tesco.
Questions
Tesco EDI questions
Does Tesco require an ASN for every delivery?
Yes. Tesco requires an Advanced Shipping Notification for every palletised load at every depot. Loose and slip-sheet deliveries are the only exception. FTP EDI builds the DESADV from the warehouse despatch confirmation and sends it before the vehicle arrives.
What EDI standard does Tesco use?
Tesco uses EDIFACT (EANCOM subset, D96A) for ORDERS, DESADV, INVOIC and RECADV over AS2 or a VAN. FTP EDI translates between D96A and whatever your systems produce.
How does Tesco EPOD work?
Tesco's electronic proof of delivery replaces the paper TRN. The receipt is sent back as a RECADV and appears in TIMS the next day. FTP EDI matches it to your ASN and flags any shortages or refusals.
Other retailers
Tesco and other retailer names are trademarks of their respective owners. FTP EDI is not affiliated with or endorsed by Tesco Stores Ltd. Requirements on this page are summarised from public supplier documentation and may change; always confirm with the retailer's current supplier manual.
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