Transfer orders in Business Central let you move items from one location to another. If you work with multiple locations and track inventory per location, transfer orders give you a controlled way to move stock between them. You create a transfer order with a from-location and a to-location, then post the shipment from the first location and the receipt at the second. You also need a transfer route set up before you can post.
The shipment and receipt are posted separately. When you post the shipment, the quantity leaves the from-location. When you post the receipt, the quantity arrives at the to-location, and the transfer order is completed and removed.
What transfer orders do in Business Central
Transfer orders are used to move items from one location to another. If you use locations in your Business Central solution and keep stock per location, you will sometimes need to move items between them. A transfer order handles exactly that.
On a transfer order you specify a from-location code and a to-location code. The document then has two sides you can post: the outbound side (the shipment) and the inbound side (the receipt).
How to create and post a transfer order
To create a transfer order, go to Transfer Orders in Business Central and create a new one. Specify where you want to transfer from and where you want to transfer to. You also need a transfer route set up between the two locations before the transfer can work.
Next, select the item or items you want to transfer and enter the correct quantities. Then you post the transfer in two steps:
- Post the shipment to send the items out from the first location.
- Post the receipt to receive the quantity at the second location.
How the quantity fields behave during posting
When you fill in the transfer order, the Quantity to Ship field shows the amount you plan to move, for example 12 on a line. The Quantity Shipped field is empty at this point.
When you post the shipment, the Quantity to Ship drops to zero and the Quantity Shipped becomes 12. The Quantity to Receive is now ready.
When you post again, Business Central defaults to receiving the full quantity. This completes and removes the transfer order, and the item is now registered at the other location.
Q&A
What is a transfer order in Business Central used for?
A transfer order is used to move items from one location to another when you track inventory per location. You set a from-location and a to-location, then post the shipment and the receipt.
Do you need anything set up before posting a transfer order?
Yes. You need a transfer route set up between the from-location and the to-location before you can post the transfer.
How many times do you post a transfer order?
You post twice. First you post the shipment to send the items out from the first location, and then you post the receipt to receive them at the second location.
What happens to the transfer order after you post the receipt?
Business Central defaults to receiving the full quantity, completes the transfer, and removes the transfer order. The item is then moved to the other location.