Define the expected quantity before shipment
Your receiving check begins with a reliable outbound record. Save the shipment plan, SKU quantities, carton contents, carrier details, tracking references, labels, and handoff date in one shipment folder.
Compare four inventory checkpoints
- Units prepared and confirmed by your warehouse or supplier.
- Units accepted by the carrier at handoff.
- Units shown as received during the fulfillment-center process.
- Units that become available, transferred, reserved, or otherwise accounted for afterward.
Separate processing time from a true difference
Receiving can occur in stages, and inventory may move between statuses before it becomes sellable. Record dates and status changes so an in-process shipment is not treated as a final loss too early.
Close the shipment with a written result
When processing is complete, document matched units, unresolved units, supporting evidence, case references, and any financial resolution. A closed record prevents the same discrepancy from being claimed, ignored, or counted twice.