# How to set a price tolerance on purchase order matching in NetSuite

Yes, through the NetSuite Approvals Workflow SuiteApp. Set Amount Tolerance and Quantity Tolerance on the item, vendor or subsidiary record. There is no separate unit price tolerance field.

A price tolerance is the gap between the PO price and the invoice price that you accept without a query.

## Before you start

- NetSuite Approvals Workflow SuiteApp (bundle 537941) with the 3 Way Match workflow, or SuiteApprovals exception criteria
- Features: A/P, Purchase Orders, Advanced Receiving, Approval Routing, SuiteFlow; Vendor Bills ticked in Approval Routing preferences

## The NetSuite way

Where to find it: Lists > Relationships > Vendors > Edit > Financial subtab (also Items and Setup > Company > Classifications > Subsidiaries > Vendor Bill Matching tab)

1. Install the NetSuite Approvals Workflow SuiteApp.
2. Edit the item, vendor or subsidiary record and enter the amount and quantity tolerance fields and the quantity difference (and the matching Item Receipt fields).
3. Values must be a positive number above zero. Tolerance is a percentage. Difference is an absolute quantity.
4. Switch off the standalone criteria [SS] VB Qty Greater/Less Than PO Qty and [SS] VB Amt Greater/Less Than PO Amt, or the tolerance will not apply.
5. Bills outside tolerance route to the supervisor. Bills inside it are approved automatically.

## Limits in NetSuite

- If the fields are blank on both the vendor and subsidiary records, the criteria using them do not run.
- The tolerance is on amount and quantity. There is no separate unit price tolerance field.
- Item receipts that are partially received are not supported by the 3 Way Match workflow.
- Disabling criteria means copying and changing the workflow.

## Common mistakes

- Leaving the standalone criteria [SS] VB Qty Greater/Less Than PO Qty and [SS] VB Amt Greater/Less Than PO Amt on, so the tolerance does not apply.
- Leaving the tolerance fields blank on both the vendor and subsidiary records, so the criteria using them do not run.

## Common questions

### Where do I set a purchase order matching tolerance?

On the item, vendor or subsidiary record. Enter the amount tolerance, quantity tolerance and quantity difference, plus the matching Item Receipt fields. It needs the NetSuite Approvals Workflow SuiteApp.

### Is the tolerance a percentage or a dollar amount?

Tolerance is a percentage. Difference is an absolute quantity. Each value must be a positive number above zero. Bills outside tolerance route to the supervisor and bills inside it are approved automatically.

### Is there a unit price tolerance?

No separate unit price field was found. The tolerance is on amount and quantity, so a price change shows up as an amount difference against the PO.

### Can I set a tolerance in Pulsify?

No. Pulsify matches to within 1 cent and shows any bigger difference as a flag. Your approver decides.

## Sources

- https://docs.oracle.com/en/cloud/saas/netsuite/ns-online-help/section_4168980481.html
- https://docs.oracle.com/en/cloud/saas/netsuite/ns-online-help/section_4096219721.html
- https://docs.oracle.com/en/cloud/saas/netsuite/ns-online-help/section_4096250993.html
- https://docs.oracle.com/en/cloud/saas/netsuite/ns-online-help/bridgehead_163170722170.html

Source: https://www.pulsify.tech/how-to/set-a-price-tolerance-on-po-matching-in-netsuite/ (last checked 2026-10-19)