Inbound Shipments / Container Receiving Without ASNs

Purpose: To ensure accurate and efficient receiving of containers while maintaining safety and compliance standards.

Procedures:

Prior to Receiving Containers
Customers are responsible for organizing their inbound shipments. Ideally, customers should notify Allpack Fulfillment of incoming containers via email. These notification emails should include a Packing List (PL) and a Sales Order Number (SO #) or Purchase Order Number (PO #).
Processes may vary based on individual customer preferences. Some customers may require Allpack to coordinate shipment arrival times directly with the carriers. It is also the warehouse’s responsibility to monitor POs within Fulcrum.
Receiving Containers With ASNs
 

1. Preparation
If the PO number is emailed before the shipment arrives:
* Locate it: Menu > Purchasing > Receiving > Enter PO # > Filter.
* Review the Packing List (PL) to prepare and allocate space for the container.
Note: The PL may arrive the morning of the shipment. If no PO is provided, move on to step 2.
 

2. When the Shipment Arrives
* Instruct the carrier (driver) on where to park for unloading.
* While the driver is parking, set up the unloading area. This may include setting up conveyor belts, placing pallets, etc.

3. Unloading Process

* Ensure the unloading crew wears gloves, back braces, and clocks in for the unloading process. It is important to record unloading hours for billing purposes.
Note: Always clock in to log unloading hours in the event that some cartons are missing ASN labels. If all cartons are labeled with ASN labels, the customer would be charged per scan.

* Assign one worker to scan ASN labels during unloading. They should log into Fulcrum and follow these steps to begin scanning:
  * Menu > Purchasing > Receive by ASN

* Workers will start unloading boxes and the designated worker can now scan each carton as it is unloaded (the top barcode, which is also the largest, is the barcode that should be scanned). Unloaded boxes should be sorted onto pallets. Designate one worker to manage the pallets.

Note: If you scan the wrong barcode, you will get a “No data found” or “SKU fully received” error message.

* Once everything is scanned and unloaded, click Receive within Fulcrum and commit to inventory. Write down the Receipt # that is located at the top of the page. All inventory will automatically be logged under the location of “Receiving” until locations are assigned.

4. Storing & Assigning Inventory

* Print the PL by going into Fulcrum > Menu > Purchasing > Purchase Orders > Type or paste the PO number > Filter > Click on the PO and print
* Begin putting away inventory and write down the location of each SKU and quantities on the printed PL sheet (this will be used to assign locations in later steps). It is helpful to also write down how many boxes are in each location for labeling purposes.
* Once you have placed everything and written down all locations, go back into Fulcrum > Menu > Inventory > Transfers > Under the Transfer # column, click on the line that says “Create”
* Under the To column, begin logging each storage location by typing the location out (do not click the icon) and fill out the Complete column to match the quantity
* When finished, click Save > Transfer All > Write down the Transfer number on the physical packing list for your records (this will show towards the top of the page) > Print the labels based on how many boxes there are in each location.
* Apply the labels to the boxes

5. Record Keeping

* Keeping records is an essential business practice to ensure every incoming container is properly documented. Physical records must be kept in a file indefinitely, unless told otherwise, grouped by month and year.
* Scan the following documents prior to the next steps:
  * Packing List
  * Purchase Order listed all the locations and quantities (this one should include your notes)
  * Bill of Lading or Delivery Order/Packing Slip, etc.
  * Any other important documents associated with the container or delivery
* After scanning, make sure you have the PO # > Log into Fulcrum > Menu > Purchasing > Purchase Orders > Search for the PO > Click on the Status box and select Closed > Find the PO and click on the PO # 
* Navigate to Docs on the top menu > Add Document > Upload all the applicable documents > Save

6. Notify the Customer 
* If there were discrepancies or damages: Email the customer with the Receipt #, including any pictures and/or documents of issues or discrepancies between the PO and PL.