Academy Sports + Outdoors EDI requirements for vendors

Academy sends the 850 once a PO is approved in its ERP. The PO type and ship-to tell you how to pack.

What Academy Sports + Outdoors states

• The 850 includes PO type (bulk or pack-by-store), ship-to, freight terms, ship or delivery window, UPC, Academy SKU and vendor part number, ticket type and order quantity. Source: Academy Sports + Outdoors, SMART Guide for U.S. Vendors, May 3, 2026, p. 5
• Bulk and direct-to-store orders use order type SA and pack-by-store orders use KN; bulk and pack-by-store orders ship to a distribution center, direct-to-store orders to a store. Source: Academy Sports + Outdoors, SMART Guide for U.S. Vendors, May 3, 2026, p. 9
• Purchase orders default to a 3-day ship or delivery window; collect orders must ship, and prepaid orders arrive, within it. Source: Academy Sports + Outdoors, SMART Guide for U.S. Vendors, May 3, 2026, p. 8

How the 850 works in X12

An 855 is required for every 850 and 860, and its deadline depends on the order type.

What Academy Sports + Outdoors states

• Import POs and domestic manual bulk POs must be acknowledged within 5 business days; domestic replenishment POs within 1 business day. Source: Academy Sports + Outdoors, SMART Guide for U.S. Vendors, May 3, 2026, p. 5
• If Academy does not receive an 855, the order is deemed accepted as is and must ship complete and on time. Source: Academy Sports + Outdoors, SMART Guide for U.S. Vendors, May 3, 2026, p. 5
• Ship windows may not be lengthened past 3 business days, and vendor-initiated changes should come at least 30 days before the PO not-before date when possible. Source: Academy Sports + Outdoors, SMART Guide for U.S. Vendors, May 3, 2026, p. 5

How the 855 works in X12

Academy sends an 860 for its own changes and cancellations, and for vendor change requests its merchants approve.

What Academy Sports + Outdoors states

• Academy merchants return an 860 within 3 business days of receiving an 855 with changes; rejected vendor changes are communicated by email or phone, not EDI. Source: Academy Sports + Outdoors, SMART Guide for U.S. Vendors, May 3, 2026, p. 6

How the 860 works in X12

The ASN goes out as soon as the carrier leaves, matches the GS1-128 labels, and is one per trailer or container.

What Academy Sports + Outdoors states

• Send the ASN as soon as the carrier departs the vendor's facility, with the ship date matching the departure date. Source: Academy Sports + Outdoors, SMART Guide for U.S. Vendors, May 3, 2026, p. 6
• ASN numbers can only be sent once, and GS1-128 carton serial numbers must be unique and never duplicated. Source: Academy Sports + Outdoors, SMART Guide for U.S. Vendors, May 3, 2026, p. 6
• Large POs filling multiple trailers or containers need a unique ASN for each trailer or container. Source: Academy Sports + Outdoors, SMART Guide for U.S. Vendors, May 3, 2026, p. 6
• ASNs failing validation are emailed to the vendor, who must correct and resend them to avoid chargebacks; common errors include a UPC not on the PO and a carton number already in history. Source: Academy Sports + Outdoors, SMART Guide for U.S. Vendors, May 3, 2026, p. 6

General EDI practice

• Keep a register of ASN and carton serial numbers already sent, and block any reuse before transmission.

How the 856 works in X12

The invoice follows the ASN and must reach Academy within 10 days of it.

What Academy Sports + Outdoors states

• Send the 810 immediately after the ASN, and no later than 10 days from the ASN date. Source: Academy Sports + Outdoors, SMART Guide for U.S. Vendors, May 3, 2026, p. 6
• Pack-by-store orders are invoiced to the distribution center, not to individual stores. Source: Academy Sports + Outdoors, SMART Guide for U.S. Vendors, May 3, 2026, p. 6
• Each purchase order must be invoiced separately, and prepaid-and-add freight or handling charges are not allowed on invoices. Source: Academy Sports + Outdoors, SMART Guide for U.S. Vendors, May 3, 2026, p. 47

How the 810 works in X12

Academy returns a 997 for each 810, 855 and 856. It confirms format, not accuracy.

What Academy Sports + Outdoors states

• Academy returns a 997 after each 810, 855 and 856; the 997 confirms formatting and syntax only and does not validate accuracy. Source: Academy Sports + Outdoors, SMART Guide for U.S. Vendors, May 3, 2026, p. 6

How the 997 works in X12