Item Fields (SuiteBuilder)
Comprehensive guide to creating and configuring custom item fields for inventory items, service items, assemblies, and other item types.
Overview
Item fields extend NetSuite's standard item records with additional product data. These fields support inventory management, purchasing, sales, and reporting requirements.
ITEM FIELD SCOPE
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Custom Item Field
│
▼
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ APPLIES TO (select one or more): │
│ │
│ INVENTORY SERVICES │
│ ☑ Inventory Item ☑ Service Item │
│ ☑ Lot Numbered Inventory Item ☐ Service Resale Item │
│ ☑ Serialized Inventory Item ☐ Service for Sale │
│ │
│ ASSEMBLIES NON-INVENTORY │
│ ☑ Assembly/Bill of Materials ☑ Non-Inventory Item │
│ ☐ Serialized Assembly ☐ Non-Inventory Resale Item │
│ ☐ Lot Numbered Assembly ☐ Non-Inventory for Sale │
│ │
│ OTHER │
│ ☐ Kit/Package ☐ Description Item │
│ ☐ Discount Item ☐ Markup Item │
│ ☐ Payment Item ☐ Subtotal Item │
│ │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Creating Item Fields
Navigation
Customization → Lists, Records, & Fields → Item Fields → New
Configuration Options
ITEM FIELD CONFIGURATION
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ BASIC SETTINGS │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
│ Label*: [Country of Origin ] │
│ ID*: [custitem_country_origin ] │
│ Type: [List/Record ▾] │
│ List/Record: [Countries ▾] │
│ │
│ Description: [Manufacturing or origin country for │
│ customs and compliance reporting ] │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ APPLIES TO (Item Types) │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
│ ☑ All Items (appears on all item types) │
│ │
│ OR select specific: │
│ ☑ Inventory Item │
│ ☑ Lot Numbered Inventory Item │
│ ☑ Serialized Inventory Item │
│ ☐ Service Item │
│ ☐ Non-Inventory Item │
│ ... (more options) │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Common Item Field Use Cases
Product Attributes
| Field Purpose | Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Classification | List | Product Line, Category, Season |
| Physical | Decimal/Text | Weight, Dimensions, Color |
| Compliance | List/Text | Hazmat Class, Country of Origin |
| Marketing | Text Area | Features, Benefits, Keywords |
| Lifecycle | List/Date | Status, Launch Date, End of Life |
Purchasing Fields
| Field Purpose | Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Sourcing | List/Record | Preferred Vendor, Alt Vendor |
| Lead Time | Integer | Manufacturing Days, Shipping Days |
| MOQ | Integer | Minimum Order Quantity |
| Costing | Currency | Target Cost, Last Landed Cost |
| Quality | Text | Spec Document, QC Notes |
Sales Fields
| Field Purpose | Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | List | Price Tier, Promotion Eligible |
| Commission | Percent/List | Commission Rate, Commission Class |
| Warranty | List/Integer | Warranty Type, Warranty Months |
| Cross-sell | Multi-select | Related Products, Accessories |
| Restrictions | Checkbox | Requires Approval, Export Restricted |
Field Types for Items
FIELD TYPE SELECTION FOR ITEMS
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
ATTRIBUTES & SPECS
─────────────────
Free-Form Text SKU variations, model numbers
Text Area Long descriptions, specifications
Integer Pieces per case, warranty months
Decimal Weight, length, volume
Currency Target cost, floor price
CLASSIFICATIONS
─────────────────
List/Record Fixed categories (Product Line)
Multiple Select Multiple attributes (Colors available)
Checkbox Boolean flags (Hazardous, Fragile)
DATES & COMPLIANCE
─────────────────
Date Launch date, expiration date
Document Safety data sheet, certificate
Image Product image, label image
RELATIONSHIPS
─────────────────
List/Record Vendor, manufacturer, parent item
Multiple Select Component items, related items
Item Type Matrix
Understanding which item types need which fields:
ITEM TYPE FIELD REQUIREMENTS
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Inv Lot Serial Assy Service Non-Inv
Item Item Item Build Item Item
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Country of Origin ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ - ✓
Hazmat Classification ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ - ✓
Product Line ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Commission Rate ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ -
Warranty Months ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ -
Lead Time Days ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ - ✓
Shelf Life Days ✓ ✓ - - - -
Serial Prefix - - ✓ - - -
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Legend:
✓ = Typically needed
- = Usually not applicable
Item Subrecords
Some item fields belong on item subrecords rather than the main item record:
ITEM SUBRECORD FIELDS
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
INVENTORY DETAIL (Lot/Serial)
Location-specific fields for lot or serial numbers
• Lot Expiration Date
• Serial Status
• Bin Location
PRICING MATRIX
Price-specific fields per price level
• Minimum Quantity
• Discount Percentage
VENDOR SUBLIST
Vendor-specific fields per vendor relationship
• Vendor Item Code
• Vendor Lead Time
• Vendor Min Order
LOCATION SUBLIST
Location-specific fields per location
• Reorder Point (Location)
• Preferred Stock Level
• Location Lead Time
Sourcing to Transactions
Item fields can auto-populate transaction line fields:
ITEM FIELD SOURCING TO LINES
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Item Record Transaction Line
┌─────────────────────────────┐ ┌─────────────────────────────┐
│ Item: Widget-001 │ │ Sales Order Line │
│ │ │ │
│ custitem_warranty_months: 12│──────▶│ custcol_warranty: 12 │
│ custitem_hazmat: Yes │ │ custcol_hazmat: Yes │
│ custitem_origin: China │ │ custcol_origin: China │
│ │ │ │
└─────────────────────────────┘ └─────────────────────────────┘
Setup:
1. Create Item Field on item record
2. Create Transaction Line Field on transaction
3. Set line field to SOURCE FROM the item field
4. When item selected on line, values auto-populate
Reporting and Integration
Saved Search Usage
-- Item fields in saved searches
SELECT
i.itemid AS item_code,
i.displayname AS description,
BUILTIN.DF(i.custitem_product_line) AS product_line,
i.custitem_country_origin AS origin,
i.custitem_lead_time_days AS lead_time
FROM
item i
WHERE
i.isinactive = 'F'
AND i.custitem_product_line = 3 -- Product line ID
ORDER BY
i.itemid
SuiteScript Access
// Reading item fields
var item = record.load({
type: 'inventoryitem',
id: itemId
});
var origin = item.getValue('custitem_country_origin');
var leadTime = item.getValue('custitem_lead_time_days');
// Setting item fields
item.setValue('custitem_product_line', 5); // List value ID
item.save();
Matrix Items
For matrix items (parent with child variations), consider field inheritance:
MATRIX ITEM FIELD STRATEGY
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Parent Item: T-Shirt (matrix parent)
├── Child: T-Shirt - Small - Red
├── Child: T-Shirt - Small - Blue
├── Child: T-Shirt - Medium - Red
└── Child: T-Shirt - Medium - Blue
Field Strategy:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Field Location Reason │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Product Line Parent Only Same for all variations │
│ Season Parent Only Same for all variations │
│ Country of Origin Parent Only Same for all variations │
│ Color Child Only Varies per child (option) │
│ Size Child Only Varies per child (option) │
│ UPC Code Child Only Unique per variation │
│ Weight Child Only May vary by size │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Best Practices
Naming Conventions
| Element | Convention | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Field ID | custitem_[prefix]_[name] | custitem_acme_origin |
| Prefix | Company code (2-4 chars) | acme, wh |
| Name | Descriptive, snake_case | country_origin |
Design Checklist
| Consideration | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Applies To | Select only needed item types |
| Sourcing | Auto-populate transaction lines where useful |
| Reporting | Enable for list views and searches |
| Matrix | Determine parent vs. child placement |
| Defaults | Set defaults to speed data entry |
| Help Text | Provide clear field instructions |