Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is Quality Assurance Testing required?
A. Yes, QA testing is required for all new and reorder items and must have a passing test result on file 6 weeks prior to shipping. Vendors are required to test with our approved testing partner, Bureau Veritas. Refer to CPWM Vendor Guide, Section 2. Merchandise Requirements Quality Assurance.
Q. Who do we contact for questions on QA testing, are we allowed group testing to save costs and what is a Testing Waiver Form (TWF)?
A. All questions regarding QA testing should be sent to the QA email box at . Requests for group testing will be taken under review if all material, production, and factory are the same. Provide pictures, sku # and confirmation of material type/production/factory in your email. The Group Test Form is located on the Vendor Relations website under Forms at http://www.worldmarket.com/corp/vendor_relations.jsp Username/Password: cp03. You need either a passing test report or a TWF when importing any product with CPWM as the importer of record. You will be unable to book the PO without presentation of a passing test report or TWF per sku to the consolidator. A TWF acts as a stand-in for a passing test report when allows a waiver on a testing failure.
Q. How can a transit test waiver be issued?
A. Please contact the Packaging department for specifics on your item(s) at .
Waivers are based on past MOS rates and the buyer’s permission. An in house drop test must be performed and documented as well as photos of the step by step packaging of the item. All applicable SKUs should be included in the waiver request email. Their approval of this email from our packaging engineers serves as the transit test waiver.
Q. What is AQL?
A. Acceptable Quality Level. The acceptable level (AQL) is defined as the maximum percent defective (or the maximum number of defects per hundred units) that, for purpose of sampling inspection, can be considered satisfactory as a process average For more details, refer to CPWM Quality Assurance Manual section 1.1.1 or the CPWM Vendor Guide, Section 2. Merchandise Requirements Quality Assurance.
Q. Who is responsible for final inspection and what level before product shipment?
A. The vendor/agent is responsible for final inspection. Inspection Level II AQL 4.0 for Furniture and 2.5 for General Merchandise (Soft-line and Non-furniture hard-line).
Q. Do we need to fumigate our stuffed container load? If so, who should we use?
A. Yes, for wood and natural fiber. Use Government certified reputable fumigation companies. Refer to CPWM Vendor Guide, Section 3. Import Logistics Fumigation Policy.
Q. What are the carton marking requirements?
A. We require carton markings for master and inner cartons. Master carton fields are Made In, PO #, Descript, PCS/SP, TTL/SP, N.W., G.W., Cu. Ft., Ctn No. Inner carton markings are SKU#, SKU description, quantity per inner carton. Inner carton markings must be marked on 2 upper adjacent corners. For more details, refer to CPWM Vendor Guide, Section 2. Merchandise Requirements Carton Marking Instructions.
Q. Where can I find seasonal carton marking requirements?
A. Seasonal carton markings are required for all Christmas orders. The Seasonal Carton Marking Instructions and Artwork can be found under the Carton Markings section on the CPWM Vendor Relations web site. http://www.worldmarket.com/corp/vendor_relations.jsp. Username/Password: cp03.
Q. What are the minimum/maximum carton size requirements?
A. Conveyable Carton Size Requirements
Dimensions and Weight / Minimum / MaximumLargest Dimension / 6” (15.24 cm) / 34” (86.4 cm)
Second Largest Dimension / 6” (15.24 cm) / 28” (71 cm)
Third Largest Dimension / 3” (7.62 cm) / 28” (71 cm)
Gross Weight / 2 lbs. (.91 kg) / 50 lbs. (22.68 kg)
Q. Can vendors print their own UPC ticket?
A. No, vendors must use Avery Dennison or Fineline Technologies to order UPC tickets unless a Cost Plus provided UPC and retail are printed on the retail packaging. Ticket order forms for Fineline or Avery can be found on the CPWM Vendor Relations web site under Price Tickets at http://www.worldmarket.com/corp/vendor_relations.jsp. Username/Password: cp03.
Q. Where do we place the UPC ticket and what type of UPC ticket do we use?
A. Tickets should be placed in the least noticeable location. The standard UPC ticket is the sticky ticket. Refer to CPWM Vendor Guide, Section 2. Merchandise Requirements Price Ticketing for more details on ticket placement and UPC ticket type.
Q. Where can a vendor send invoice documentation?
A. For direct import shipments, submit invoice to Consolidator 72 hours prior to vessel sailing. For domestic invoices, send to CPWM A/P Department. Refer to CPWM Vendor Guide, Section 5. Accounts Payable.
Q. What consolidators/carriers are used for shipping?
A. For Import shipments, refer to the Import Routing Guide for authorized consolidators and contact information. For Domestic shipments shipping Collect, email the Transportation Department at . For more details on shipping, refer to Sections 3 and 4 of the CPWM Vendor Guide.
Q. How is a new vendor set up?
A. Vendor/Agent should submit the Vendor Set Up/Change Form to buyer via email which can be found under the CPWM Vendor Relations web site under Forms at http://www.worldmarket.com/corp/vendor_relations.jsp. Username/Password: cp03. All new Vendor Set Up forms must be accompanied with the Vendor Guide Acknowledgement form which can also be found in this location.
Q. How do we access our purchase orders?
A. The primary and secondary GT Nexus (EDI) contacts have access to the GT Nexus po delivery site. An invitation to register is sent by GT Nexus when the vendor is set up in the CPWM system.
Q. Where can I get the CPWM Vendor Guide and Quality Assurance Manual?
A. Key documents and forms can be found on the CPWM Vendor Relations web site at http://www.worldmarket.com/corp/vendor_relations.jsp. Username/Password: cp03.
Q. What are the terms of payment?
A. Net 60 Days
Q. Where do we send samples and who pays for samples and sample freight?
A. Vendor pays for samples and sample freight. Refer to CPWM Vendor Guide, Section 2. Merchandise Requirements Sample Policy. All samples excluding food and beverage should be sent to below address.
Cost Plus Mgt. Services, Inc. – Sample House
201 Second Street
Oakland, CA 94607
510-893-7300 x 3470
Note: All forms, manuals, and guides such as Seasonal Carton Markings, Packaging Requirements, and the Domestic Pick-up Request Form, etc., can be found on the Vendor Relations web page per following link: http://www.worldmarket.com/corp/vendor_relations.jsp Username/Password: cp03
For any questions, please email us at:
§ Vendor Guide/PO/Compliance –
§ Quality Assurance Testing and Protocols –
§ EDI/GT Nexus –
§ Packaging/Transit Testing –