Inbound Preparation

Step 1: Get an ASN or Purchase Order

The client should send an ASN (Advanced Shipment Notice) or PO (Purchase Order) in advance of the shipment arriving at the SEKO fulfillment center.

• The ASN/PO could be sent electronically or manually depending on the client. Check the client SOP for information about how your client is sending their ASN/PO.

  • An ASN is message sent for each shipment and includes the following:

    • Reference Number

    • Container or Trailer Number

    • Sender Information

    • Order Line Items (SKU, Quantity)

  • A PO contains similar information to the ASN, however, the line items could be sent over a series of shipments that may arrive at different times. As shipments are received, the SKUs and quantities received are deducted from the PO until the PO is received in full.

• An electronic ASN/PO will automatically appear in the Inbound Shipments menu.

• Manual ASN/PO must be entered into the WMS.

Step 2: Schedule Delivery Appointment

The client or its designated carrier contacts SEKO to schedule delivery. When the delivery appointment request comes in, the following tasks are performed:

• The SEKO CSR confirms the ASN has been received in the WMS.

• If an ASN is not found, the CSR notifies the client and requests an ASN.

• The SEKO CSR schedules an available delivery appointment, day, and time.

Step 3: Driver Check-In

Upon delivery, the driver checks in with a SEKO CSR to verify the ASN. If ocean, the seal, and container number is also verified. SEKO refuses any containers with broken seals upon arrival.

• If the ASN is verified, SEKO confirms the door assignment and marks the shipment as arrived.

  • If the ASN is not found, the CSR contacts the client and requests the ASN. The driver waits for the ASN (unless agreed otherwise).

  • Alternately, the CSR manually creates an ASN based on the paperwork received with the shipment. If no paperwork is available, the shipment will be blind received or refused.

• If it’s a drop trailer, the trailer is dropped, and driver released.

Step 4: Unload & Stage Freight

The container is unloaded onto the inbound staging area.

• An initial inspection is performed against the packing slip, if one was included:

  • Does the count of handling units match the packing slip (i.e. 5 pallets)?

  • Are any of the handling units damaged or unmarked?

• Discrepancies are tagged for OS&D and documented on the BOL, if the driver is present. For information on exception management, visit our Exception Management page.

Step 5: Sort Mixed Handling Units

• Mixed pallets (different SKUs on the same pallet/carton) should be sorted and segregated by SKU unless the delivery is being cross docked or transloaded.

• It is not recommended to keep mixed pallets or cartons in inventory.

• If damages are discovered during the sorting process, damages should be segregated and tagged for OS&D.

Step 6: Receiving

• Determine the type of receiving is required for the client (see the Client SOP for information). There are 3 primary types of receiving:

  • ASN Receiving: if the client send an ASN to receive against

  • PO Receiving: if the client sends a PO to receive against

  • Blind Receiving: if the client does not send an ASN or PO and there is no paperwork attached to the shipment.

• Select the appropriate receiving type to proceed.

Step 7: Put Away

• Proceed to putaway all inventory that has been received.

Proceed to the appropriate receiving path:

ASN Receiving:

If the client sends an ASN to receive against

PO Receiving:

If the client sends a PO to receive against

Blind Receiving:

If the client does not send an ASN or PO and there is no paperwork attached to the shipment.