Chargeback & deduction playbooks
64 deep-dive guides on retailer chargebacks and deductions — the trigger behind each fee, how disputes actually work, and the pre-shipment checks that keep the deduction from happening at all.
Walmart
- WalmartWalmart Chargeback Code 10: Allowance & Price DifferenceWalmart Code 10 is deducted when invoice cost or allowances don't match Walmart's item file. See what triggers it, what it costs, and how to prevent it.
- WalmartWalmart Chargeback Code 11: PO vs Invoice Price DifferenceWalmart Code 11 is deducted when your invoice cost doesn't match the PO cost. Learn the EDI 850/810 mechanics, real causes, and how to prevent it.
- WalmartWalmart Chargeback Code 12: Invoice Incorrectly ExtendedWalmart Code 12 is deducted when invoice math is wrong — unit cost × quantity doesn't match the extended total. See causes and how to prevent it.
- WalmartWalmart Chargeback Code 13: Substitution Billed Above CostWalmart Code 13 is deducted when a substituted item is billed at a higher cost than the item received. See what triggers it and how to prevent it.
- WalmartWalmart Chargeback Code 14: Seal Intact, Shipment ShortWalmart Code 14 is deducted when a sealed trailer arrives short or damaged — the seal says the fault is at origin. Causes, disputes, and prevention.
- WalmartWalmart Chargeback Code 15: Shrink-Wrapped Pallet ShortageWalmart Code 15 is deducted when shrink-wrapped pallets arrive short or damaged. Learn how pallet build and wrap discipline prevents the deduction.
- WalmartWalmart Chargeback Code 21: Store-Level ShortageWalmart Code 21 is a shortage found at the store, not the DC. Learn why store-level shortages happen, what they cost, and how suppliers prevent them.
- WalmartWalmart Chargeback Code 22: Goods Billed, Not ShippedWalmart Code 22 hits when you invoice more than Walmart receives. Learn what triggers it, how to dispute it with a POD, and how to prevent it before billing.
- WalmartWalmart Chargeback Code 23: Shipper Load & Count ShortageWalmart Code 23 hits SLC shipments when the carton count Walmart receives is less than the BOL states. See what triggers it and how to prevent it.
- WalmartWalmart Chargeback Code 24: Freight Bill Signed ShortWalmart Code 24 is deducted when a shipment is signed short at the DC — fewer cartons than billed. Learn causes, the POD dispute path, and prevention.
- WalmartWalmart Chargeback Code 25: No Merchandise ReceivedWalmart Code 25 deducts the full invoice when no receipt matches it — often an invoice sent before delivery. Learn the timing fix and the dispute path.
- WalmartWalmart Chargeback Code 26: Carton Shortage ExplainedWalmart Code 26 is deducted when fewer cartons arrive than the shipment documents show. Learn the ASN/BOL reconciliation that stops it, and how to dispute.
- WalmartWalmart Chargeback Code 28: Freight Bill Signed DamagedWalmart Code 28 is deducted when cartons arrive visibly damaged and the freight bill is signed damaged. Learn packaging causes, disputes, and prevention.
- WalmartWalmart Chargeback Code 30: Duplicate Billing ExplainedWalmart Code 30 is deducted when two invoices hit the same PO. Learn how EDI retries and re-invoicing cause duplicates, and how to make your 810 idempotent.
- WalmartWalmart Chargeback Code 33: Wrong PO Number on the InvoiceWalmart Code 33 hits when your invoice cites the wrong PO number and can't be matched to the order. Learn why one digit stalls payment and how to fix it.
- WalmartWalmart Chargeback Code 53: Truckload Allowance DeductionsWalmart Code 53 deducts the truckload allowance (TA) agreed in your vendor terms. Learn which shipments qualify, how to pre-deduct on the invoice, and more.
- WalmartWalmart Chargeback Code 55: Agreed Allowance Not AppliedWalmart Code 55 deducts an allowance you agreed to but didn't apply on the invoice — like a store-opening allowance. Learn how to close contract-billing drift.
- WalmartWalmart Chargeback Code 57: Quantity Discount Not AppliedWalmart Code 57 is deducted when an agreed quantity discount isn't applied on the invoice. Learn how tiers break in billing and how to fix the 810.
- WalmartWalmart Chargeback Code 60: Unauthorized Handling ChargeWalmart Code 60 removes handling charges billed without authorization or against agreed terms. Learn why fees bounce and how to govern them pre-810.
- WalmartWalmart Chargeback Code 71: Incorrect Item Numbers on LabelsWalmart Code 71 fines items labeled with incorrect item numbers, breaking automated receiving. Learn how label data goes wrong and how to catch it.
- WalmartWalmart Chargeback Code 82: Anticipation Deduction ExplainedWalmart Code 82 is an anticipation deduction — interest on funds released early under agreed terms. Learn why it appears and how to bill terms correctly.
- WalmartWalmart Chargeback Code 90: Unauthorized Charge RemovedWalmart Code 90 removes charges you added without approval — unagreed fees and surcharges. Learn what triggers it, how to dispute, and how to prevent it.
- WalmartWalmart Chargeback Code 92: Returned Merchandise DeductionWalmart Code 92 deducts the value of merchandise returned to you — overstock or recall. Learn how it works and how to reconcile every deducted dollar.
- WalmartWalmart Chargeback Code 93: Visible Damage Return DeductedWalmart Code 93 deducts the value of merchandise returned for visible damage. Learn the packaging and handling causes, dispute path, and prevention.
- WalmartWalmart Chargeback Code 94: Defective Merchandise ReturnWalmart Code 94 deducts the value of returned merchandise that's defective but not visibly damaged. Learn the QA root causes, dispute path, and prevention.
- WalmartWalmart Chargeback Code 95: Wrong Item Shipped vs POWalmart Code 95 deducts the value of wrong items shipped against the PO. Learn the pick/pack root causes, the 850-to-856 check, and how to prevent it.
- WalmartWalmart OTIF Fines Explained: The 3% Rule and How to WinWalmart OTIF fines run ~3% of COGS per non-compliant case. Learn how On-Time In-Full is measured, what triggers fines, and how suppliers protect the score.
Target
- TargetTarget Deduction Code A032: Damage & Defective DeductionsTarget Code A032 is a deduction for invoice-vs-receipt gaps caused by damaged or defective product. Learn causes, packaging fixes, and how to dispute.
- TargetTarget Deduction Code A034: Shortage & Case-Pack ErrorsTarget Code A034 is a deduction for unit shortages or case-pack discrepancies vs the invoice. Learn the two failure modes, causes, and prevention.
- TargetTarget Deduction Code A036: Cost Difference DeductionsTarget Code A036 is a deduction taken when your invoice cost doesn't match the cost Target has on file. Learn causes, cost-sync fixes, and disputes.
- TargetTarget Deduction Code A038: Substitution DeductionsTarget Code A038 is a deduction taken when a different item arrives than the one invoiced — a substitution. Learn causes, DPCI checks, and prevention.
- TargetTarget Deduction Code A176: The Auto ChargebackTarget Code A176 is a system-generated deduction for invoice-vs-receipt differences — shortage, cost, substitution, or case-pack. Learn how to stop it.
Amazon
- AmazonAmazon Vendor Central ASN Accuracy Chargeback, ExplainedAmazon's ASN Accuracy chargeback hits vendors who send no ASN, a wrong ASN, or a late one. Learn how the 856-vs-receipt audit works and how to prevent it.
- AmazonAmazon Carton Content Accuracy Chargeback: Inside Every BoxAmazon's Carton Content Accuracy chargeback fees cartons whose contents or labels don't match the ASN record. Causes, pack-station fixes, prevention.
- AmazonAmazon PO On-Time Accuracy Chargeback: The Window ProblemAmazon's PO On-Time Accuracy chargeback fees units shipped outside the PO window or arriving after the cancel date. Causes, triage, and prevention.
- AmazonAmazon Unconfirmed PO Units Chargeback: Ship Only What You ConfirmedAmazon's Unconfirmed PO Units chargeback fees every unit received without a confirmed PO — overages included. How confirmation discipline prevents it.
- AmazonAmazon Prep Chargeback: When Amazon Preps It and Bills YouAmazon's Prep chargeback applies when units needing polybag, bubble wrap, or labels arrive unprepped — Amazon does the work and bills the vendor. Fix it here.
Kroger
- KrogerKroger Deduction Code CD: Cash Discount, ExplainedKroger Deduction Code CD is a cash discount taken per your payment terms. Learn how to audit the rate, catch double-applied discounts, and dispute errors.
- KrogerKroger Deduction Code EC: EDI Non-Compliance ExplainedKroger Code EC is a deduction for missing or defective EDI documents — an 856, 810, or 997 that failed or never sent. Causes, costs, and prevention.
- KrogerKroger Deduction Code LC: List Cost Difference ExplainedKroger Code LC deducts the gap when your invoice price differs from the list cost Kroger has on file. Causes, the price-change handshake, and prevention.
- KrogerKroger Deduction Code OI: Off-Invoice AllowanceKroger Deduction Code OI is an off-invoice allowance — trade, co-op, or salvage — taken at payment. Learn how to track the agreements and audit the rates.
- KrogerKroger ORAD Deduction: Late Shipments and the 98% StandardKroger's ORAD deduction hits shipments arriving after the Original Requested Arrival Date. Learn the 98% standard, root causes, and prevention steps.
- KrogerKroger Deduction Code OV: Overage, ExplainedKroger Deduction Code OV recovers an overpayment above the invoice total — usually a billing error. Learn the causes and the 810 validation that stops it.
- KrogerKroger Deduction Code SH: Shortage Deductions ExplainedKroger Code SH deducts the value of cases billed but not received. Learn why invoices cause most shortages, the 95% fill standard, and how to prevent it.
- KrogerKroger Deduction Code WV: Wrong Vendor, ExplainedKroger Deduction Code WV flags a Supplier ERP ID that doesn't match Kroger's records. Learn why it happens after entity changes and how to fix the master data.
Costco
- CostcoCostco GS1-128 Label Chargeback: Fixing SSCC FailuresCostco charges ~$5–$10 per carton when GS1-128/SSCC labels fail — bad codes, unscannable barcodes, ASN mismatches. Learn causes and prevention that works.
- CostcoCostco PO/Invoice Mismatch Chargeback: The 3-Way MatchCostco PO/invoice mismatch chargebacks hit when the 810 doesn't align with the 850 or 856. Learn the three-way match that prevents them before you invoice.
- CostcoCostco Late ASN Penalty: Beat the Truck or Pay for ItCostco fines late or inaccurate 856 ASNs roughly $50–$200 per incident — and can hold freight. Learn why the ASN must beat the truck and how to ensure it.
- CostcoCostco Late Delivery Chargeback: Early Trucks Get Refused TooCostco assesses late and refused delivery charges case-by-case — and early trucks can be turned away. Learn how to hit depot appointment windows exactly.
- CostcoCostco Pallet Chargeback: Build for the Cross-Dock or PayCostco charges suppliers case-by-case for pallet violations — overhang, leaning loads, wrong pallet type. Learn the depot's rules and how to build clean.
- CostcoCostco Quantity Discrepancy Chargeback, ExplainedCostco quantity discrepancy chargebacks hit when received quantity differs from ordered or invoiced. Learn the causes and the scan-verify fix at the dock.
Lowe's
- Lowe'sLowe's Deduction Code DT: Shortage and the 98% Fill RateLowe's Code DT is deducted when the DC receives fewer units than invoiced. Learn how the 98% fill rate and 10% offset work, plus prevention steps.
- Lowe'sLowe's Routing Guide Violation FPD: On Time Isn't EnoughLowe's Code FPD is a routing guide violation — an unauthorized carrier or collect freight not routed through Lowe's TMS triggers it, even if on time.
- Lowe'sLowe's Deduction Code PMT: Discount DiscrepancyLowe's Deduction Code PMT is a discount discrepancy — the discount taken at payment differs from the invoice. Learn the causes and how to reconcile it.
- Lowe'sLowe's Deduction Code PRC: Cost Difference on the InvoiceLowe's Code PRC is deducted when your invoiced cost differs from the cost on Lowe's file — about $50 per bad invoice. Learn causes and prevention.
- Lowe'sLowe's Deduction Code RTM: Return DeductionLowe's Deduction Code RTM covers merchandise returned to the supplier — defective, overstock, or recalled — plus return freight. Learn how to reconcile it.
- Lowe'sLowe's Deduction Code VLS: The Catch-All Compliance ChargeLowe's Code VLS is the general vendor-compliance deduction — labeling defects (~$10 each), late ASNs, and missed MABDs. Learn causes and prevention.
Home Depot
- Home DepotHome Depot Label Chargeback: Living Under the 1% ThresholdHome Depot fines $5 per carton at 1–2% label rejection and $10 over 2%. How the GS1-128 threshold works and how to keep your rejection rate under 1%.
- Home DepotHome Depot Late ASN Chargeback: Beat the 24-Hour WindowHome Depot deducts $250 when an ASN (EDI 856) arrives late — after 24 hours from pickup or after the truck. Learn the timing rules and how to comply.
- Home DepotHome Depot Missing ASN Chargeback: The $1,000 SilenceHome Depot deducts $1,000 for every shipment with no ASN (EDI 856). Learn why ASNs go missing, how the 997 loop catches them, and how to prevent it.
- Home DepotHome Depot On-Time Chargeback: MABD and the 90% ThresholdHome Depot requires ~90% on-time delivery to the must-arrive-by date (MABD). Below that, penalties hit late shipments. How the threshold works in practice.
- Home DepotHome Depot Pallet Chargeback: The Load Spec Is the LawHome Depot assesses per-shipment offsets for pallet defects — wrong pallet type, carton overhang, weak stretch wrap. The load spec and how to hit it.
- Home DepotHome Depot Routing Chargeback: Collect Freight, Their WayHome Depot fines $250 when collect freight isn't routed through its TMS or moves on an unauthorized carrier. The routing rules and how to stay clean.
- Home DepotHome Depot TMS Ship ID Chargeback: One Field, $100 a TimeHome Depot fines $100 per ASN with a wrong or missing TMS Ship ID — $350 if the ASN is also late. How the field works and how to validate it every time.