Goods Receiving Hours in SAP are configured to specify the time windows during which customers can receive deliveries. This configuration helps businesses align their shipping schedules with customer availability, ensuring timely and efficient delivery of goods. By defining goods receiving hours, companies can plan their logistics operations better, avoiding failed delivery attempts and optimizing resource allocation.

What Are Goods Receiving Hours?

Goods receiving hours represent the time slots during which a customer’s unloading points are available to accept deliveries. These time frames are typically linked to the delivery date and unloading point in the delivery document. The system copies this information from the customer master record into the delivery header, ensuring accurate scheduling.

Step-by-Step Tutorial to Define Goods Receiving Hours

Step 1: Determine Goods Receiving Hours

  • Collaborate with customers to identify their specific receiving hours for different unloading points.
  • Note variations, if any, for weekends, holidays, or specific time slots.

Step 2: Configure Goods Receiving Hours in SAP

  1. Access the SAP configuration menu using SPRO.
  2. Navigate to: Sales and Distribution > Master Data > Business Partners > Customers > Define Goods Receiving Hours.
Define Goods receiving Hours
  1. Click on New Entries to define a new goods receiving hour.
    • Key: Specify an alphanumeric key (up to 3 characters) to identify the receiving hours (e.g., M9 for Monday, 9 AM to 5 PM).
    • Description: Provide a clear description of the receiving hours (e.g., “Monday: 9 AM – 5 PM”).
  2. Save the configuration.
Monday: 9 AM - 5 PM

Step 3: Maintain Goods Receiving Hours in Customer Master

  1. Open the customer master record using transaction code XD02.
  2. Navigate to the General Data tab, then go to the Unloading Points section.
  3. Enter the defined goods receiving hour key for each unloading point.
  4. Save the changes.
Configure Goods Receiving Hours in SAP

Step 4: Test and Verify

  1. Create a sales order and subsequent delivery using transaction codes VA01 and VL01N, respectively.
  2. Check the delivery document to confirm that the correct goods receiving hours have been copied to the Delivery Header.