Code 10: Price Difference as Documented (Allowance Difference)

Overview

Code 10 deductions are generated when there are discrepancies between the allowances listed on the invoice and those recorded on the purchase order. These differences may occur at either the purchase order or invoice level, or in the net allowance cost for individual line items.

Most valid Code 10 deductions result from pricing or allowance mismatches, often caused by EDI errors.

How to Prevent Valid Code 10 Deductions

• Review purchase orders for correct pricing and allowance information before fulfilling an order.
• Do not ship products if purchase order pricing is incorrect. Walmart recommends contacting the buying department to request a price correction.
• Compare your EDI transactions with purchase order data to ensure allowances match the supplier agreement.
• Verify costs, allowances, units of measure, and weight information before invoicing.
• Monitor EDI data carefully, as many valid Code 10 deductions originate from EDI errors.

Can It Be Disputed?

Sometimes. Walmart states that agreed-upon pricing allowances are generally not eligible for payback. However, invalid Code 10 deductions can still be disputed through the Accounts Payable Disputes Portal (APDP) in Retail Link.

According to Walmart, Code 10 disputes should only be submitted through APDP for Store claims. For deductions originating from other sources, Walmart recommends contacting your buyer directly. In practice, some suppliers have successfully submitted non-store Code 10 disputes through APDP.

If an APDP dispute is denied, suppliers should contact their buyer directly to request a payback.

Supporting Documentation

• Supplier agreement showing the agreed-upon allowances.
• EDI 810 invoice showing the correct costs and allowances.
• Purchase order discrepancy email sent to the buyer.
• A copy of the PO maintenance email, if one was received.

Conclusion

Code 10 deductions typically occur because of allowance discrepancies between invoices and purchase orders. Reviewing purchase orders, validating EDI data, and maintaining accurate supplier documentation can help prevent these deductions. When a deduction is invalid, suppliers should gather supporting evidence and dispute it through APDP when appropriate or work directly with their Walmart buyer.