
Consignment inventory is a supply chain arrangement where a supplier (consignor) retains ownership of goods while they are held at a customer’s (consignee’s) location. The consignee only pays for the goods when they are sold or consumed, and the supplier retains responsibility for managing and replenishing the inventory as needed. A certificate of origin is a document issued by an authorized body or organization that certifies the country in which the goods being shipped were manufactured, produced, or processed. In this scenario, the carrier takes charge of moving the container from the port of discharge to the final destination or vice versa, using their own transportation assets or subcontracted carriers.

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- AI can be integrated with quality control systems to assist in real-time decision-making during goods inspection.
- When a supplier makes the delivery of ordered goods, it’s assumed it’s made in good faith, i.e. assuming that all goods delivered are according to specifications demanded and will pass quality checks.
- For example, suppose a manufacturer orders 1000 kg of raw materials but receives only 900 kg.
- Smaller organizations may be able to reach suppliers right away and inform them.
- A bay plan is a diagram that details the stowage of containers on a vessel, specifying their exact position by bay, row, and tier to ensure efficient and safe loading and unloading operations.
- It acts as a crucial communication bridge, connecting the procurement, receiving, and accounts payable departments.
It is cross-verified with the quantity mentioned in the purchase order and supplier invoice. Any surplus or shortage is noted here, which helps in initiating returns, claims, or further clarifications. Each item received is described in detail, how is sales tax calculated including product names, models, specifications, or part numbers. This section ensures clarity about what was delivered, especially when goods are technical or have variants. Detailed descriptions help in proper categorization and stock identification in inventory systems. Hubler seamlessly streamlines your business process and does all the heavy lifting.
- Unlike traditional annual or periodic inventory counts that halt operations, cycle counting allows businesses to maintain regular operations while ensuring accurate stock levels.
- It is then shared with the procurement and accounts payable teams to update records and approve payments.
- Goods Inward Note (GIN) is a document which tells which goods has been inside the entry gate to a factory or a warehouse.
- The GRN creates a clear audit trail, which is essential for regulatory compliance and internal audits.
- A goods delivery note is issued after the physical verification of the goods received from the supplier.
Managing inventory & updating stock levels

Track of such transactions ensures that the delivered products meet the company’s terms and conditions, including quality, quantity, price, as well as delivery times. It is a document used by businesses to confirm whether all goods they ordered have been received. The GRN is used to match against purchase orders and invoices for accurate record-keeping and to prevent errors in inventory and payment processes. It ensures that goods received are properly ordered by the purchase manager. It reduces the chances of using the material for personal purposes because it is properly documented by GRN and included an in-store ledger.
GDN – Goods dispatch note
A Goods Received Note (GRN) is used to confirm the delivery of tangible, physical products. A Service Received Note (SRN) or Service Entry Sheet (SES) serves the same purpose but for intangible services, confirming that a contracted service was performed to the agreed-upon standard. Without the GRN, this step becomes speculative, goods received note forcing the AP team to rely on manual follow-ups and assumptions, which increases the risk of errors, payment delays, or even fraud. In the meantime, explore how other leading companies modernize their finance operations with Tipalti. A separation of duties should be maintained between purchasing, receiving, general ledger recording, and paying for goods received to achieve proper internal controls.

This rapid decision-making reduces inspection time and ensures only compliant goods are entered into inventory. If the goods are meant for a specific department or project, the corresponding code or name is included. This detail supports internal cost tracking, departmental budgets, and project-based inventory allocation, helping organizations manage resources more effectively. The GRN should include the signature of the individual or team responsible for inspecting and accepting the goods. In some cases, signatures from the supplier’s delivery person or driver may also be included.
Who issues a GRN?

Break bulk cargo refers to goods that are individually packaged or bundled, rather than being transported in containers or in bulk. These items are often large or irregular in size and include products like machinery, vehicles, construction materials, or heavy equipment. A bay plan is a diagram that details the stowage of containers on a vessel, specifying their exact position by bay, row, and tier to ensure efficient and safe loading and unloading operations. The finance team also uses the GRN to conduct 3-way matching between the GRN, bill and purchase order. A GRN includes important information like an outline of goods delivered, the prices and quantities, the name of the vendor and more.

Errors in the PO can carry over to the GRN and lead to discrepancies later. Luckily, there are automated, digital-first solutions like RazorpayX Bookkeeping 101 Source to Pay that make GRN management seamless. Learn about equipment, marketing strategies, pricing, benefits, and types of photography businesses. Switch to an automated invoice generation software and get your invoices done in minutes.
