Receiving shipments¶

Scan a shipment into your warehouse: check it in, capture serial and lot numbers, complete the receipt, and put the stock away.

Before you start¶

• Check the shipment is expected in the receiving queue.
• Clear and organize the receiving area.
• Have your mobile device or barcode scanner ready.
• Check for special handling instructions.
• Review the packing slip or the Advance Shipment Notice (ASN), if you have one.

Step 1: Locate the receiving order¶

What you'll see¶

Step 2: Scan products¶

1. Tap Start Receiving.
2. Scan the product barcode with your camera. The platform identifies the product and shows its details.
3. Enter the quantity received.
4. Tap Add to Cart.
5. Repeat for every product in the shipment.

For each item you scan, check it against the physical shipment:

• The product name matches the item in your hand.
• The quantity matches the packing slip.
• The item isn't damaged.

Step 3: Record equipment information¶

For freight or truckload shipments:

1. Enter the Equipment Number — the trailer, container, or railcar number.

It's saved with the receiving order for reference and audit purposes.

Step 4: Handle serial & lot tracked items¶

Serial number tracking¶

For products that need serial numbers:

1. Scan each serial number barcode, or type them in by hand, one per line.
2. Review the list for accuracy.
3. Tap Save Serial Numbers.

Lot number tracking¶

For products with lot tracking enabled:

1. Enter or scan the Lot Number — required for lot-tracked products.
2. Enter the Expiration Date — optional, recommended for perishable goods.
3. Enter the Quantity for this lot.
4. Tap Save Lot Information.

To receive more than one lot of the same product on a single receiving order:

1. Enter the first lot's number, expiration date, and quantity.
2. Tap Add Another Lot for each additional lot.
3. Make sure the quantities across all lots add up to the expected receiving quantity.

A receiving order can mix lot-tracked and non-lot-tracked products — the platform only asks for lot information where lot tracking is turned on.

Step 5: Review & complete receiving¶

Before you complete the receipt:

1. Review every item in the receiving cart.
2. Check quantities against the packing slip.
3. Check for missing items.
4. Note any discrepancies or damage.

Confirm before you tap Complete Receiving:

• Every expected item is scanned.
• Quantities are accurate.
• Serial and lot numbers are entered correctly.
• Damage or defects are documented.
• The packing slip is attached, if it's a physical one.

Tap Complete Receiving.

The platform creates inventory transactions and moves the items to Received status. They're ready for putaway.

Step 6: Putaway (optional)¶

If the platform is configured for immediate putaway, it prompts you as soon as you complete a receipt.

1. Review the suggested storage location, or choose an alternative.
2. Scan the location barcode to confirm it.
3. Place the item in the location.
4. Tap Confirm Putaway.
5. Repeat for every item.

Each confirmed item moves out of the putaway queue and into that location.

Smart Location Selector¶

You can also scan a License Plate Number (LPN) barcode directly during LPN selection to find it, or search for a specific LPN code — useful when the LPN isn't part of your current receiving order.

The platform suggests a location based on:

Putaway rules you have configured adjust the score on top of that.

If you skip putaway¶

Items stay in Received status and you can put them away later from the Putaway Queue. The platform assigns them a temporary staging location in the meantime. Finish putaway before the items are needed for picking.

Step 7: After receiving¶

• Attach the packing slip to the receiving order, if it's a physical one.
• Update the receiving notes with any discrepancies.
• Report damage to your supervisor.
• Clear the receiving area for the next shipment.
• File physical documents per your company's policy.

Tell your supervisor about:

• Significant quantity discrepancies
• Damaged or defective items
• Wrong products received
• Missing expected items
• Quality concerns

Common situations¶

Partial shipment¶

1. Receive the quantities you have.

The platform marks the remainder as backordered and tracks it automatically until it arrives.

Damaged items¶

1. Photograph the damage.
2. Set the items aside — don't put them away.
3. Create a damage report.
4. Notify your supervisor to start a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA).

Wrong product received¶

1. Don't force-receive it.
2. Photograph the item and the packing slip.
3. Create a discrepancy report.
4. Contact your supervisor.
5. Set the item aside — don't put it away.

No packing slip¶

1. Receive against the receiving order as normal.
2. Scan everything that arrived and enter the quantities you actually count.
3. Note "No packing slip" against the receipt.

Your supervisor reconciles it against the purchase order later.

Troubleshooting¶

Getting it right¶

Move faster. Pre-stage items by SKU before you start scanning. Use two people on a big shipment — one scans, one verifies. Learn the common barcodes so you can recognize products on sight, and keep the workspace organized so you're not hunting for anything mid-scan.

Stay accurate. Double-check quantities before you confirm, and make sure product details match the packing slip. Count twice on high-value items, use a scale for bulk quantities where you have one, and photograph anything you flag as a discrepancy.

Related guides¶

• Mobile receiving workflow - The mobile-optimized process
• Managing receiving orders - Creating orders, order details, and statuses
• Barcode scanning tips - Improve scanning accuracy
• LPN receiving - Container-based receiving
• Inventory management - Viewing stock once it's put away

Need more help? Email support@zoratech.io, or check the FAQ and troubleshooting guide.