Planning warehouse receiving and dispatch activities

Prepare for incoming goods

Collect the delivery reference, goods description, expected quantities and handling requirements before arrival. Assign a receiving location and a person to resolve discrepancies.

Record what arrives

Check the delivered goods against the expected shipment. Record quantities, visible damage and discrepancies without overwriting the original expectation. Keep affected goods identifiable.

Track stock locations

Use consistent item and location references. Record internal movements when they happen so that stock can be found and reconciled.

Control picking and release

A picking instruction should identify the order, items and quantities. Define who checks the goods and authorises release, including approval of shortages, substitutions and partial dispatches.

Record the handover

Link the dispatch record to the order and transport reference. Record what left, when it left and any discrepancies, then update stock records.

Review recurring problems

Trace a few actual movements when investigating stock differences or late dispatch. Missing location records or unclear approval steps may explain the issue before a new system is needed.

Preparation checklist

• Expected delivery details and receiving location
• Receiving checks and discrepancy records
• Item references, stock locations and movement records
• Picking, release approval and dispatch handovers

Updated 26 October 2026. This guide provides general operational information; the service proposal defines the work for each assignment.