How to Sell to Dick’s Sporting Goods: Vendor Guide

To sell to Dick’s Sporting Goods, you need a buyer who wants your product, EDI capability from the day your vendor number is assigned, and a fulfillment operation that follows Dick’s routing guide on every shipment. Dick’s requires freight to be routed through its transportation management system (TMS), cartons labeled with thermal transfer GS1-128 labels, and advance ship notices (ASNs) that match carton contents exactly. Missing any of these leads to chargebacks, so most brands launch with a 3PL that already handles retail compliance.

This guide is for sporting goods, outdoor, fitness, apparel, and footwear brands preparing to ship to Dick’s Sporting Goods (DSG). It covers how to get in front of a buyer, what Dick’s requires, the most common chargebacks, and how ShipCalm’s retail vendor compliance services help brands launch.

How Do You Become a Dick’s Sporting Goods Vendor?

You become a Dick’s vendor by getting a category buyer interested, then completing a structured onboarding that covers EDI, compliance documents, insurance, and item setup.

1. Prove demand: Dick’s buyers look for products with proven sales and strong athlete or community following.
2. Get discovered: Dick’s buyers are reported to use RangeMe for product discovery, and many brands also reach category buyers directly or through sales reps.
3. Prepare product compliance: Have safety testing ready for your category, such as CPSIA for youth products and applicable ASTM standards.
4. Complete onboarding: Once approved, you’ll receive a vendor number, the routing guide, and EDI specifications. Dick’s expects vendors to be EDI-capable as soon as the vendor number is assigned.
5. Ship your first PO: Route the freight through Dick’s TMS and send an accurate ASN.

What Are Dick’s Sporting Goods’ Vendor Requirements?

Dick’s publishes its Domestic Vendor Routing and Supply Chain Guide on its vendor freight site. The guide is updated regularly, and vendors are expected to follow the current version. The main requirements:

• EDI: Purchase orders (850), ship notices (856), and invoices (810) are required, with additional documents such as PO changes (860) and, for drop-ship programs, inventory feeds (846).
• TMS routing: Most domestic freight is shipped collect and must be routed through Dick’s TMS before pickup. Unrouted or late-routed freight is a chargeback.
• Thermal transfer labels: Carton labels are 4×6 GS1-128 (UCC-128) labels, and Dick’s requires thermal transfer printing. Standard direct thermal labels are a common reason new vendors fail label checks.
• ASN accuracy and timing: Ship notices must be sent shortly after shipment and match carton contents exactly. Vendors report a short transmission window measured in hours.
• Vendor certification: Dick’s audits carton contents against ASN data and places vendors in performance tiers, often described as Gold, Silver, and Bronze.
• Floor-ready apparel and footwear: Ticketing, hangers, and prep for apparel and footwear must follow Dick’s standards.

Common Dick’s Sporting Goods Chargebacks

Dick’s lists compliance charges in a compliance offset schedule within its routing guide. Brands new to Dick’s most often get charged for:

• Invoice issues: Late, missing, duplicate, or manually entered invoices. Dick’s schedule has listed a $25 charge per non-compliant invoice.
• Routing violations: Shipping without a TMS routing, using an unauthorized carrier, or missing the pickup window.
• Label violations: Direct thermal labels, labels on the wrong carton face, or labels that don’t scan.
• ASN errors: Late ASNs, missing cartons, or quantities that don’t match what arrives.
• Late shipments: Shipping after the PO’s ship window.
• Ticketing errors: Missing or incorrect tickets on apparel and footwear.

Always confirm current charge codes and amounts in the routing guide issued to your account.

How a 3PL Helps You Launch at Dick’s

A 3PL with retail experience handles the compliance setup before your first shipment, which is when most chargebacks start. Dick’s Sporting Goods is one of the retailers listed in ShipCalm’s retail integrations.

• EDI connection: POs, ASNs, and invoices flow through EDI providers such as SPS Commerce, built from actual pick and pack data.
• Compliant labels: Thermal transfer GS1-128 labels printed and placed per the routing guide.
• Routing requests: Freight routed through Dick’s TMS before the ready-to-ship date.
• Carton accuracy: Scan-verified packing so cartons match the ASN.
• Retail and DTC from one inventory: Ship Dick’s POs alongside Shopify and marketplace orders. See ShipCalm’s guide to B2B fulfillment.

Dick’s Sporting Goods Launch Checklist

1. Download the current routing guide and note the compliance offset schedule.
2. Complete EDI testing for all required documents before your first PO.
3. Confirm your 3PL prints thermal transfer GS1-128 labels.
4. Get TMS access and learn the routing request process.
5. Set up apparel and footwear ticketing if your category requires it.
6. Run a test shipment and compare the ASN against carton contents.
7. Assign someone to review chargebacks weekly and dispute errors.

FAQ

Where is the Dick’s Sporting Goods routing guide?

Dick’s publishes its Domestic Vendor Routing and Supply Chain Guide on dsgfreight.com. It covers purchase orders, EDI, carton and label requirements, routing, and chargeback disputes.

Does Dick’s Sporting Goods require thermal transfer labels?

Yes. Dick’s requires 4×6 GS1-128 carton labels printed with thermal transfer, and direct thermal labels can fail compliance checks. Confirm your 3PL has thermal transfer printers before your first shipment.

How does Dick’s TMS routing work?

For collect freight, vendors submit a routing request through Dick’s TMS before the shipment is ready, and Dick’s assigns the carrier. Shipping without routing or with an unauthorized carrier results in a chargeback.

Can I drop ship for Dick’s Sporting Goods?

Yes. Dick’s runs drop-ship programs alongside distribution center and direct-to-store orders. Drop-ship orders use EDI and ASN rules too, plus inventory feeds and tracking confirmations.

Conclusion

Selling to Dick’s Sporting Goods takes EDI from day one, TMS-routed freight, thermal transfer labels, and ASNs that match every carton. Getting that setup right before the first shipment is the best way to avoid chargebacks and protect your vendor tier. Talk to ShipCalm about launching your Dick’s program.