Managing Returns and Exchanges

🚨 SAP EWM/MM Trap: Don't Use "Return to Vendor" for Plant-to-Plant Returns! Here's a classic "gotcha" scenario in SAP: The Scene: You just moved stock between two of your own plants (a Stock Transport Order, or STO). The goods arrived at your EWM warehouse (Plant B) from your other plant (Plant A). The Problem: Oops! You need to send those goods back to Plant A. The "Obvious" (but WRONG) Step: You go into your EWM Inbound Delivery (/SCWM/PRDI) and see a handy button: "Return to Vendor". You click it, thinking it will reverse the process. The Result: 💥 Your stock disappears from the warehouse... but it never makes it back to Plant A. Instead, it's now STUCK in "Stock in Transit." 😱 The "Aha!" Moment: Why This Happens That "Return to Vendor" button means exactly what it says: return to an external supplier. In an STO, your "vendor" is just your other plant. The system did what you told it: it moved the stock out of your EWM storage location, but in an STO process, that just pushes it back to the "in-between" status... Stock in Transit. The Correct Way to Return an STO You can't just "undo" an STO receipt. To send stock back to your other plant, you must create a NEW transaction. Here’s the simple, correct process: Go create a new Purchase Order (STO) using T-code ME21N. Use the same plants as the original order (From Plant A to Plant B). This is the most important part: On the PO item, check the "Return" indicator. This "Return STO" tells the system you are shipping the goods back. It will create a new outbound delivery from your EWM warehouse, letting you pick, pack, and properly send the stock back to Plant A. Key Takeaway: ✅ Return to Vendor button = For external suppliers ONLY. ✅ "Return" checkbox on a NEW STO = For internal plant-to-plant returns. #SAPEWM #SAPMM #SAPLogistics #SAPS4HANA #SAPSCM #SupplyChain #WarehouseManagement #SAP #SAPforDummies

SAP S/4HANA - Return to Vendor Process In SAP S/4HANA, the return process depends on whether MIRO (Invoice Posting) is done or not. Case 1: Return Before MIRO ← Use Movement Type 122 (Return Delivery with PO Reference) Reverse the 101 GR posting Stock reduced GR/IR cleared No vendor debit/credit note needed Best when an invoice is not yet posted. Case 2: Return After MIRO ← Use Movement Type 161 (Return PO + Return Delivery) Requires Return PO creation Post return delivery (161) Stock reduced Debit/Credit Note in MIRO adjusts vendor account Best when an invoice is already posted. Key Tip 122 = Return before MIRO (simpler, direct reversal) 161 = Return after MIRO (controlled with Return PO + vendor adjustment)

📌 SAP S/4HANA – Return to Vendor Process In SAP S/4HANA, the return process depends on whether MIRO (Invoice Posting) is done or not. 🔹 Case 1: Return Before MIRO 👉 Use Movement Type 122 (Return Delivery with PO Reference) Reverse the 101 GR posting Stock reduced GR/IR cleared No vendor debit/credit note needed ✅ Best when invoice is not yet posted. 🔹 Case 2: Return After MIRO 👉 Use Movement Type 161 (Return PO + Return Delivery) Requires Return PO creation Post return delivery (161) Stock reduced Debit/Credit Note in MIRO adjusts vendor account ✅ Best when invoice is already posted. 🔑 Key Tip 122 = Return before MIRO (simpler, direct reversal) 161 = Return after MIRO (controlled with Return PO + vendor adjustment)