Overview
A Stock Transport Order (STO) is used to transfer stock from one plant to another plant within the same company code (or across company codes). It is more controlled than a simple transfer posting (301) because it uses a Purchase Order document, delivery, and goods movements.
Prerequisites
- Supplying Plant and Receiving Plant are defined
- Material Master exists in both plants
- Stock Transport Order document type is configured (usually UB)
- Shipping data is maintained for the supplying plant
- Authorization for ME21N, VL10B / VL01N, MIGO
Step-by-Step Process
1
Create Stock Transport Order (ME21N)
- Go to transaction ME21N
- Document Type: Select UB (Stock Transport Order)
- Enter the Supplying Plant as Vendor (or use supplying plant field)
- Enter Purchasing Organization, Purchasing Group, and Company Code
- Enter Material, Quantity, and Receiving Plant
- Enter Delivery Date and Storage Location (receiving)
- Save the STO and note the Purchase Order number
2
Create Outbound Delivery (from Supplying Plant)
- Go to transaction VL10B (Purchase Orders due for Delivery) or VL01N
- Enter the STO number or shipping point of the supplying plant
- Create the Outbound Delivery
- Save the Delivery and note the Delivery number
3
Post Goods Issue (Supplying Plant)
- Go to transaction VL02N or MIGO
- Enter the Outbound Delivery number
- Post Goods Issue (Movement Type usually 641 or 643)
- Stock is reduced in the supplying plant and moves into transit (or directly to receiving plant depending on configuration)
4
Post Goods Receipt (Receiving Plant)
- Go to transaction MIGO
- Select Goods Receipt → Reference Purchase Order (or Outbound Delivery)
- Enter the STO number
- Movement Type is usually 101 (or 671 for two-step)
- Post the Goods Receipt
- Stock is now increased in the receiving plant
Quick Process Flow
ME21N (UB) → VL10B / VL01N (Delivery) → VL02N / MIGO (GI) → MIGO (GR at Receiving Plant)
One-Step vs Two-Step STO
| Type | Description | Movement Types |
|---|---|---|
| One-Step | Stock moves directly from supplying to receiving plant | 641 (GI) + 101 (GR) or just 301 style |
| Two-Step | Stock first goes to transit, then received | 643 (GI to transit) + 675 / 101 (GR from transit) |
Related Transaction Codes
| T-Code | Description |
|---|---|
| ME21N | Create Stock Transport Order (Document Type UB) |
| ME22N / ME23N | Change / Display STO |
| VL10B | Purchase Orders due for Delivery |
| VL01N / VL02N | Create / Change Outbound Delivery |
| MIGO | Goods Issue / Goods Receipt |
| MB5T | Stock in Transit Report |
| ME2N / ME2K | Purchase Order reports |
| MMBE | Stock Overview |
Important Notes:
- Document Type UB is the standard for Stock Transport Orders within the same company code.
- For cross-company-code STO, different document types and billing may be involved.
- Use MB5T to monitor stock that is still in transit.
- STO provides better tracking, delivery documents, and control compared to simple transfer posting (301).
Helpful Tips
- Always check stock availability in the supplying plant before creating the STO.
- Maintain proper shipping point determination for the supplying plant.
- After GI, stock appears in transit until GR is posted at the receiving plant.
- You can create STO with reference to a Purchase Requisition.
- Monitor open STOs using standard purchasing reports (ME2N).